Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze

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

A tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a rich bourbon glaze infused with regional southern spices, perfect for hearty dinners. This southern-inspired pork ready in about 210 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 20 min Cook: 190 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 3 lbs pork shoulder and brown on all sides, about 4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp at edges.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and add 1 large diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp smoked paprika and 2 tbsp brown sugar, cooking for 1 minute to bloom spices. Pour in 1/2 cup bourbon whiskey to deglaze, scraping browned bits for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
  4. Step 4: Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 2 cups chicken broth, then season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Return pork shoulder to pot, add 3 fresh thyme sprigs and 1 bay leaf.
  5. Step 5: Cover and braise in oven for 3 hours, basting pork halfway through, until meat is fork-tender and pulls apart easily. Remove pork and reduce sauce on stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened and glossy.
  6. Step 6: Slice or shred pork and spoon bourbon glaze over. Serve with mashed potatoes or cornbread.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze?

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 Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze?

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 Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze 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 Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Bourbon Glaze?

Southern pork 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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