Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice

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

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in a rich, aromatic broth featuring star anise and traditional Chinese five-spice powder for a deeply flavorful dish. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 170 minutes pairs pork shoulder, whole pods star anise, Chinese five-spice powder 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cut into 2-inch chunks and brown on all sides for about 6-8 minutes until golden and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 2-inch sliced fresh ginger, and 3 whole star anise pods to the pot; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 cups water. Stir in 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder and add 3 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces.
  4. Step 4: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours until the pork is tender and the sauce has thickened and coats the meat beautifully.
  5. Step 5: Remove the star anise pods and scallions before serving. Serve the braised pork with steamed jasmine rice or noodles to soak up the rich sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice?

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 Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice?

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 Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice 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 Slow-Braised Chinese Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice?

Chinese 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.

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