Half-Pint Ale-Braised Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow braised in half a pint of robust ale, accented with herbs and caramelized onions. This american-inspired pork ready in about 165 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder, pint (8 fl oz) ale beer, large, thinly sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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: 150 min Serves 6 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 2 pounds pork shoulder chunks with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then brown them in batches for about 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion to the pot, cooking for 8 minutes until caramelized and soft. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return the pork to the pot. Pour in 1/2 pint ale beer and 1 cup chicken broth. Add 1 bay leaf, then bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Cover and reduce heat to low, braising for 2 to 2.5 hours until pork is tender and pulls apart easily.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-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 pint (8 fl oz) ale beer from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-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 Half-Pint Ale-Braised Pork Shoulder?

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.

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