Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Thyme

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

A succulent pork shoulder roasted with garlic, fresh thyme, and a simple herb rub that imparts a universally appealing flavor. This mediterranean-inspired pork ready in about 225 minutes pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves 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: 15 min Cook: 210 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). In a small bowl, combine 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika to form a fragrant herb paste.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry the 3 lb pork shoulder with paper towels. Rub the herb paste evenly all over the pork, ensuring to cover all sides.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C) and the meat is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the oven and let rest, uncovered, for 15 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before carving.
  5. Step 5: Slice or shred the pork and serve with pan juices or your favorite sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (15 min prep + 210 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 Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic 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 pork shoulder (bone-in) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic 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 Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Thyme 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 Herb-Roasted General's Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Thyme?

Mediterranean 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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