Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised at a low temperature with savory spices and root vegetables for a hearty, melt-in-your-mouth dish. This french-inspired pork ready in about 215 minutes pairs cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder, olive oil, large, diced 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 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 3 medium, peeled and sliced carrots
- 2, sliced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 3 pounds pork shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes total; remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced yellow onion, 3 peeled and sliced carrots, and 2 sliced celery stalks to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Mix in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to develop flavor.
- Step 4: Return pork to pot and add 2 cups chicken broth, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer on the stove.
- Step 5: Cover the pot and transfer to the oven; braise for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce is thickened. Remove herb sprigs before serving, spoon sauce over pork and vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 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 Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables 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 Low-Heat Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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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