French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a savory mustard-herb sauce, yielding succulent meat perfect for comforting dinners. This french-inspired pork ready in about 180 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes, Dijon mustard, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Toss 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the pork in batches and brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 1 large chopped yellow onion, 2 sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, cooking for 1 minute.
  5. Step 5: Pour in 1 cup dry white wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Return pork to the pot along with 2 cups chicken broth, 4 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer.
  7. Step 7: Cover and transfer the pot to the preheated oven. Braise for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
  8. Step 8: Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaf before serving. Spoon sauce over the pork and enjoy with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 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 French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs?

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 dijon mustard from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs?

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 French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs 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 French-Style Braised Pork Shoulder with Mustard and Herbs?

French 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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