Lager-Braised Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in half a pint of lager beer, creating a rich, slightly malty sauce perfect for comforting meals. This European-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, lager beer, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
• 1/2 pint (8 fl oz) lager beer
• 1 large, sliced yellow onion
• 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds carrots
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then brown in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium; add 1 large sliced yellow onion and 2 sliced medium carrots to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Return pork to the pot, pour in 1/2 pint (8 fl oz) lager beer, add 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme and 1 bay leaf.
4. Step 4: Bring to a low simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2 hours until pork is tender and sauce has thickened slightly.