Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slow-cooked pork shoulder served with a zesty gremolata featuring bitter herbs and citrus zest for layered complexity. This mediterranean-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs boneless, trimmed pork shoulder, kosher salt, black pepper 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: 180 min Serves 6 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Season 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper evenly.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Deglaze the pot with 1 cup white wine, scraping up browned bits, then add 2 cups chicken broth, 2 rosemary sprigs, and 3 thyme sprigs. Return pork to the pot, cover, and place in the oven.
  5. Step 5: Braise for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender. Remove pork and keep warm.
  6. Step 6: For the gremolata, combine 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped dandelion greens, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp orange zest, and 1 tbsp chopped capers in a small bowl.
  7. Step 7: Slice the pork and sprinkle generously with the bitter herb gremolata before serving to add bright, acrid notes that balance the rich meat.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata?

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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata?

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 Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata 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 Pork Shoulder with Bitter Herb Gremolata?

Mediterranean 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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