Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a savory mustard-thyme sauce inspired by the medieval flavors of Provins, France. This french-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, Dijon mustard, chopped fresh thyme 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: 20 min Cook: 180 min Serves 6 French cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 3 tbsp Dijon mustard evenly over the surface.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork shoulder and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same pot, add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 chopped carrots, and 2 chopped celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup dry white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits, and cook for 3 minutes until reduced slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return the pork shoulder to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth and 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Cover with a lid and transfer to the oven.
  6. Step 6: Braise for 3 hours, turning the pork halfway through, until meat is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
  7. Step 7: Remove pork, rest for 10 minutes, then slice and spoon the mustard-thyme sauce and vegetables over the top before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme 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 Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme?

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 Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme?

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 Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme 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 Provins-Style Mustard and Thyme?

French 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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