Low-Temperature Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in aromatic broth with carrots and parsnips, creating a comforting and flavorful dish. This french-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large, sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves 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: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 French cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp on edges.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork and set aside. Add 1 large sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
  4. Step 4: Add 3 cups chicken broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Step 5: Return pork shoulder to pot along with 3 medium peeled carrots and 2 medium peeled parsnips cut into 2-inch chunks, submerging partially in broth.
  6. Step 6: Cover Dutch oven tightly and transfer to oven. Braise for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven, discard thyme and bay leaves, and let pork rest in the broth for 15 minutes before slicing and serving with vegetables.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Low-Temperature Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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-Temperature 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Low-Temperature 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-Temperature 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-Temperature 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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