Low Sugar Pork and Apple Stew

Total time2 hr

Prep time20 min

Cook time1 hr 40 min

4.6

(10)

Warm, deeply savory, and just a little sweet from Granny Smith apples, this pork shoulder stew is the kind of one-pot meal that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Every ingredient earns its place here — the apples melt into the broth as the stew simmers low and slow, creating a naturally sweet, complex base without a single gram of added sugar in sight. Bone broth, apple cider vinegar, and a bloom of turmeric and Ceylon cinnamon give the liquid a richness that tastes like it took far more effort than it did. Searing the pork in batches before braising is the move that locks in that deep golden crust and keeps the meat from turning watery — don't skip it. After an hour and a half of gentle simmering, the pork shoulder becomes fork-tender and practically falls apart, soaking up all those aromatic layers along the way. It's the kind of stew that proves you don't need sweeteners or shortcuts to build serious flavor — just good ingredients and a little patience.

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Ingredients

4 servings

2 lb boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
1 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp ground ceylon cinnamon
2 medium granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups bone broth
1 cup water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 sprigs fresh thyme
1 sprig fresh rosemary

For serving

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1
Pat the pork cubes dry with paper towels and season all over with 1 tsp salt.
2
Heat the coconut oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in two batches to avoid crowding, add the pork in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes per side, until deep golden brown on at least two sides. Transfer the seared pork to a plate and set aside.

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