Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Hidden Spices
Tender, slow-braised pork shoulder infused with a subtle blend of aromatic spices that reveal themselves with each bite. This mediterranean-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, medium, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat 3 lbs pork shoulder dry, season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then sear in the hot oil for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned and fragrant.
- Step 2: Remove pork and reduce heat to medium. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 cinnamon stick, cooking for 1 minute until spices release their aroma.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until deep red and thickened.
- Step 5: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return pork shoulder to the pot, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven.
- Step 6: Slow-braise for 3 hours, turning the pork halfway through, until meat is tender and easily pulls apart.
- Step 7: Remove pork, shred with two forks, discard the cinnamon stick, and stir 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro into the braising liquid. Serve pork topped with the fragrant sauce.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Hidden Spices 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 Hidden Spices?
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 Hidden Spices?
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 Hidden Spices 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 Hidden Spices?
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.
