Rustic Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised with carrots, parsnips, and onions in a rich broth infused with fresh herbs. This french-inspired pork ready in about 210 minutes pairs cut into 3-inch chunks pork shoulder, large, quartered yellow onion, smashed garlic cloves 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs, cut into 3-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces parsnips
- 1 large, quartered yellow onion
- 5 cloves, smashed garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Season 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks generously with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown pork pieces in batches, about 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden. Remove pork and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large quartered yellow onion, 5 smashed garlic cloves, 3 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped parsnips to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and onions are translucent.
- Step 4: Return pork to the pot and add 3 cups chicken broth, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme.
- Step 5: Bring mixture to a simmer, cover with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
- Step 6: Remove rosemary and thyme sprigs before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Rustic 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 large, quartered yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic 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 Rustic 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 Rustic 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.
