Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote
Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder slow-cooked in a fragrant beer-and-peach reduction, embodying the restaurant's commitment to local ingredients and slow-simmered comfort. This southern-inspired one pot ready in about 175 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion
- 2 carrots
- 2 stalks celery
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup craft beer
- 1/2 cup peaches
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 1.5 lbs trimmed pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides for 4-5 minutes until browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Pour in 1 cup craft beer and bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add 1/2 cup diced peaches, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2.5 hours until pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and let rest.
- Step 5: Skim excess fat from cooking liquid. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Return pork to pot and coat with sauce. Serve with compote spooned over top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote take to make?
Total time is about 175 minutes (20 min prep + 155 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 Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote?
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 Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote?
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 Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote 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 Beer-Braised Pork Shoulder with Peach Compote?
Southern one pot 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.