Savory Braised Pork Shoulder with Smoky Tomato Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-26 · Updated 2026-04-26

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a rich smoky tomato sauce infused with garlic and smoked paprika, perfect for a comforting dinner. This Mediterranean-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 140 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, smoked paprika 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 large, finely chopped yellow onion
• 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tsp smoked paprika, then brown the pork in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply golden; remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Pour in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon, then stir in 1 tsp dried oregano.
4. Step 4: Return the pork shoulder chunks to the pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 2 hours until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve hot.