Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Soy Glaze
Tender pork shoulder slowly braised in a rich blend of star anise, soy sauce, and aromatic spices, perfect served over steamed rice. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 150 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, star anise pods, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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, cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 3 whole star anise pods
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 2-inch piece, sliced thin ginger
- 5, smashed garlic cloves
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs cubed pork shoulder and brown on all sides for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden.
- Step 2: Add 5 smashed garlic cloves, 2-inch thinly sliced ginger, and 3 whole star anise pods; sauté for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/3 cup soy sauce and 2 tbsp brown sugar to coat the pork evenly.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 cups water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 2 hours until pork is fork-tender and sauce thickens.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes more to reduce sauce to a glaze consistency. Garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with Star Anise and Soy Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (20 min prep + 130 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 Soy Glaze?
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 Star Anise and Soy Glaze?
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 Soy Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Soy Glaze?
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.
