Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A succulent pork shoulder slow-cooked with aromatic herbs and vegetables, creating a fragrant, tender centerpiece for any table. This mediterranean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 505 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, olive oil, large, finely chopped red onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.7 (15 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 480 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 3 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels, then season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then sear pork for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, transferring to slow cooker.
  2. Step 2: Add finely chopped red onion (1 large) and minced garlic (3 cloves) to skillet with remaining tablespoon olive oil, cooking for 3 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in chopped rosemary (2 tbsp), thyme (2 tbsp), paprika (1 tbsp), dried oregano (1 tsp), and 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth; pour mixture over pork in slow cooker.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup diced zucchini and 1 cup diced bell peppers to slow cooker, then cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork, let rest 10 minutes, then slice. Strain cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer on high for 15 minutes until slightly thickened; pour over sliced pork.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 505 minutes (25 min prep + 480 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Arnavutköy Herb-Crusted Pork Shoulder?

Mediterranean slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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