Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a vibrant Caribbean-inspired sauce featuring citrus and spicy Scotch bonnet peppers for a balanced sweet and heat flavor. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice 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: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 lbs pork shoulder and season evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground allspice. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fragrant. Remove pork and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 chopped scotch bonnet peppers to the pot, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1/2 cup water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and add 3 fresh thyme sprigs.
  5. Step 5: Return the pork shoulder to the pot, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low, and braise for 3 hours, turning the pork every hour, until meat is fork-tender and sauce thickens slightly.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet take to make?

Total time is about 195 minutes (15 min prep + 180 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 Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet?

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 Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet?

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 Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet 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 Caribbean-Style Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Scotch Bonnet?

Caribbean 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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