Low-Temperature Braised Pork with Root Vegetables
Tender pork slowly braised at low heat with earthy root vegetables, creating a rich and comforting dish perfect for cozy dinners. This french-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, large, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks parsnips
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F for low-temperature braising. Pat dry 2 lbs pork shoulder and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Lightly coat the pork with 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fragrant.
- Step 3: Remove pork and add 1 large diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped parsnips to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and onions turn translucent.
- Step 4: Return pork to the pot, add 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, and 2 bay leaves. Bring to a gentle simmer on the stove.
- Step 5: Cover with a tight-fitting lid and transfer the pot to the oven. Braise at 275°F for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 6: Remove pork and vegetables to a serving dish, discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Spoon pan juices over the meat and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low-Temperature Braised Pork 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 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 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 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 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cozy Sunday meal. The pork was so juicy and the braising method kept it moist.
- ★★★★★
This dish was incredibly tender and the root vegetables absorbed all the flavors. My family loved it for dinner!
- ★★★★☆
The pork was delicious but the sauce was a bit bland; I added some herbs to fix it. Still a 4-star.