Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Smoked Paprika
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a smoky paprika and garlic sauce, capturing the deep flavors of Southern regional cooking. This american-inspired pork ready in about 180 minutes pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat dry 2 lbs pork shoulder and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp smoked paprika. Sear pork shoulder for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned and crusty.
- Step 2: Remove pork and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 medium diced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Return pork shoulder to the pot. Pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and add 3 fresh thyme sprigs. Bring to a simmer, then cover and braise in a 325°F oven for 2 1/2 hours until pork is fork-tender.
- Step 4: Remove pork from pot and let rest 10 minutes. Skim fat from sauce and reduce uncovered on stovetop for 5 minutes to thicken before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Southern-Style Pork Shoulder with Smoked Paprika take to make?
Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Smoked Paprika?
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 Smoked Paprika?
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 Smoked Paprika 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 Smoked Paprika?
American 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.
