Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic

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

Tender pork shoulder braised in a sweet-tangy orange sauce with garlic, served with steamed rice for a balanced meal. This puerto rican-inspired slow cooker ready in about 105 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Puerto Rican cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork cubes and sear for 4 minutes per side until browned, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return pork to the pot, add orange zest, orange juice, soy sauce, honey, salt, black pepper, and chicken broth. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 hour 30 minutes until pork is fork-tender.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic?

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 Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic?

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 Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Orange-Glazed Pork Shoulder with Garlic?

Puerto Rican slow cooker 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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