Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder
A sweet-savory twist on classic pork shoulder, braised with tart cranberries and aromatic herbs for a deeply flavorful main course. This american-inspired comfort food ready in about 165 minutes pairs pork shoulder, fresh cranberries, red onion 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
- 3 lb pork shoulder
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 medium red onion
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1.5 cups chicken stock
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Trim 3 lb pork shoulder of excess fat, season with 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then sear in 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until golden brown on all sides, about 8 minutes total.
- Step 2: Add 1 chopped medium red onion to the pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup fresh cranberries, 1.5 cups chicken stock, and 2 fresh rosemary sprigs to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low.
- Step 4: Simmer gently for 2.5 hours, or until pork is tender enough to shred with a fork. Remove rosemary and discard, then let rest 15 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 165 minutes (15 min prep + 150 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 Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder?
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 Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder?
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 Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder 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 Cranberry-Braised Pork Shoulder?
American comfort food 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 family loved the sweet-tart balance of the cranberries with the pork. Easy to make and perfect for a cozy meal.
- ★★★★★
The cranberry-braised pork shoulder was a beautiful dish that my whole family enjoyed. The sauce was perfect and the meat fell off the bone.
- ★★★★★
This dish was a hit at my holiday dinner! The cranberry glaze made the pork incredibly tender and flavorful.
