Braised Pork Shoulder with Ginger and Star Anise

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

Slow-braised pork shoulder infused with warm ginger and star anise, creating a deeply aromatic and tender dish perfect for a comforting dinner. This Chinese-inspired slow-cooker recipe, ready in about 135 minutes, pairs pork shoulder chunks, fresh ginger, star anise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 5, 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

• 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch pieces pork shoulder chunks
• 2-inch piece, sliced thin fresh ginger
• 3 whole pods star anise
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 cups water
• 3, chopped scallions
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 2-inch sliced ginger and 3 whole star anise pods to the pot. Stir for 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 cups water. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until pork is tender and the sauce has thickened.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, garnish with 3 chopped scallions, and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.