10 Pork Shoulder Recipes Worth Making This Fall

When the temperature starts to dip, it’s hard not to crave hearty dishes that warm up the house as they cook. That’s why pork shoulder is such a perfect fall food. Let it cook until it’s falling apart and you’re rewarded with something rich and satisfying, that easily feeds family and friends. It’s ideal for this season of sports, festivals, and gatherings. Here are 10 of our favorite recipes:

The combination of maple syrup and tangy Dijon mustard makes this pulled pork especially well-suited for fall. Choose a strong-tasting syrup to ensure its flavor comes through.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Maple-Mustard Pulled Pork

With both apple cider and chopped apples in this stew, it’s a guarantee your kitchen will be smelling super seasonal as the pot simmers. Serve it over egg noodles or with bread to sop up all the rich broth.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork and Cider Stew

If you’re looking for the most classic way to prepare a pork shoulder, here’s a recipe that’s super tasty and endlessly versatile. You can toss it in sandwiches, pile it on a plate with barbecue sauce, or put it in a variety of dishes (like mac and cheese). It will make a big batch, but luckily the leftovers freeze well.

Get the recipe: How to Cook (and Shred) a Pork Shoulder for Pulled Pork

When you’re craving pulled pork but don’t have the time to let it cook low and slow all day, here’s your solution. This Instant Pot version comes out ridiculously moist and tender in just an hour.

Get the recipe: Easiest-Ever Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Looking for something with a bit more punch? A bit of ground cinnamon and some chipotle peppers lend spicy warmth to this slow-cooker pork. It’s just perfect for piling into corn tortillas.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

This rich, flavorful stew benefits from a couple unusual tricks. Instead of using flour to thicken the broth, we use mustard, which adds taste and texture. The other secret? A touch of hard cider, which makes deglazing the pot after browning the pork much easier.

Get the recipe: Chunky Pork and Apple Stew

Slow cookers are more or less made for keeping big cuts of meat tender and flavorful. For even better results, refrigerate the cooked pork in its braising liquid overnight. The flavors will meld and improve, and the fat will collect on top for easy removal. 

Get the recipe: How to Make the Best Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker

This flavorful pulled pork recipe tastes like it took dozens of ingredients to make. But nope! A bottle of hoisin sauce adds most of the flavor, making it sneakily simple to prepare.

Get the recipe: Slow-Cooked Hoisin and Ginger Pulled Pork Wraps

This deeply-spiced soup is nothing without its toppings, so definitely don’t skimp. Opt for a mix of shredded cabbage, sliced radishes and red onion, and crushed tortilla chips to sprinkle on each bowl.

Get the recipe: Mexican Red Pork Soup with Hominy (Pozole Rojo)

Another slow cooker staple that tastes far more complex than it really is, the maple syrup offsets the heat of pickled jalapeños in this 3-ingredient dish. It’s perfect for taco night.

Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Maple Jalapeño Pulled Pork Tacos