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

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.

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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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