Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-baked with smoky spices, served atop a bed of collard greens and white beans. This African recipe, ready in about 195 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, onion, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 170 min Serves 6 African American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Pat 2 lb pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Season with 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a large oven-safe pot over medium heat, cook 1 medium onion, finely diced, and 4 cloves garlic, minced, for 5 minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Add seasoned pork shoulder to pot and sear on all sides for 5 minutes until golden.
  4. Step 4: Pour 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 1 cup chicken broth around pork. Cover and transfer to oven.
  5. Step 5: Bake for 2.5 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  6. Step 6: While pork cooks, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a separate pot. Add 1 lb collard greens, stemmed and chopped, and 1 can white beans (15 oz, drained and rinsed). Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until greens are tender.
  7. Step 7: Remove pork from pot and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve over collard greens and white beans.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (25 min prep + 170 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 Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans?

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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans?

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 Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Baked Smoky Pork Shoulder with Collard Greens and White Beans?

African American african 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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