Slow-Braised Chinese Five-Spice Pork Shoulder

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-29 · Updated 2026-04-29

Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in aromatic Chinese five-spice and soy sauce creates a deeply flavorful and authentic dish. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 145 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs pork shoulder
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 inch piece ginger, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 2 whole star anise
• 1 cup water
• 2 stalks green onions, chopped

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut 2 lbs pork shoulder into 2-inch chunks. Pat dry. In a heavy pot over medium-high heat, sear the pork pieces without oil until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Add 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 inch sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2 star anise, and 1 cup water to the pot. Stir gently to combine.
3. Step 3: Bring the liquid to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and braise gently for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes more to reduce sauce to a glossy glaze.
5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 chopped green onions before serving over steamed rice.