French-Style Braised Pork with Mustard and Thyme

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

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a savory mustard-thyme sauce, creating rich, melt-in-your-mouth meat perfect for a comforting dinner. This french-inspired pork ready in about 140 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder, olive oil, large, sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, 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: 120 min Serves 4 French cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown pork in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply caramelized. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large sliced onion and 4 smashed garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup dry white wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  4. Step 4: Return pork to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth, 3 tbsp Dijon mustard, and 4 fresh thyme sprigs. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Step 5: Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Braise pork for 1.5 to 2 hours until meat is tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs, stir in 1 tbsp butter to enrich the sauce, then serve pork with spoonfuls of the mustard-thyme sauce over the top.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 140 minutes (20 min prep + 120 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 with Mustard and Thyme?

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 olive oil from drying out.

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

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 with Mustard and Thyme for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 with Mustard and Thyme?

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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