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

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

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a fragrant broth of Chinese five-spice and star anise, yielding melt-in-your-mouth meat with deep umami flavors. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs pork shoulder, Chinese five-spice powder, star anise 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder evenly with 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder and sear on all sides until deeply browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Remove the pork and add 2-inch sliced ginger and 4 smashed garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Return the pork to the pot and add 3 whole star anise, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 3 cups water until the pork is mostly submerged.
  4. Step 4: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove the pork, slice or shred, and spoon some braising liquid over it. Garnish with 2 chopped scallions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 195 minutes (15 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 Five-Spice and Star Anise?

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 Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice and Star Anise?

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 Five-Spice and Star Anise 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 Five-Spice and Star Anise?

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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