Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice
Tender pork shoulder slow-braised in a fragrant broth of star anise and Chinese five-spice, perfect for a comforting dinner. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs whole pods star anise, teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder, soy sauce 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds, cut into 2-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 3 whole pods star anise
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1-inch piece, sliced fresh ginger
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2, sliced for garnish scallions
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 pounds pork shoulder chunks and brown on all sides for about 5-6 minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1-inch sliced fresh ginger, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Return pork to the pot, sprinkle 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder evenly over the meat, add 3 whole star anise pods, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 3 cups chicken broth, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and braise gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until pork is fork-tender and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Step 5: Remove star anise pods before serving and garnish with 2 sliced scallions for freshness.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice 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 Star Anise and Five-Spice?
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 whole pods star anise from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Five-Spice?
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 Star Anise and Five-Spice 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 Star Anise and Five-Spice?
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.
