Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and briny olives, perfect for a comforting dinner. This mediterranean-inspired pork (mediterranean) ready in about 210 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, halved pitted Kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp for garnish chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat dry 2 lbs pork shoulder and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder for 4-5 minutes per side until deeply browned and edges are caramelized, then transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 diced medium yellow onion. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until translucent and starting to caramelize. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits, and simmer for 3 minutes until the wine reduces slightly.
- Step 4: Stir in 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup halved Kalamata olives, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Return the pork shoulder to the pot, nestling it into the sauce.
- Step 5: Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 3 hours, basting the pork with sauce every hour, until the meat is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 6: Remove the pork from the oven and transfer it to a serving platter. Discard thyme sprigs. Spoon the tomato and olive ragù over the pork and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù take to make?
Total time is about 210 minutes (20 min prep + 190 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 Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù?
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 Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù?
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 Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù 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 Spiced Tomato and Olive Ragù?
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.
