Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with White Pepper Dusting
Tender pork shoulder slow-braised to perfection and finished with a fragrant white pepper dusting for a subtle heat and aroma. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 145 minutes pairs pork shoulder, white pepper powder, vegetable oil 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 pork shoulder
- 1 tsp white pepper powder
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece, sliced ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2, chopped scallions
- to taste salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 lbs pork shoulder cut into 2-inch chunks and brown on all sides for about 8 minutes until golden and caramelized.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 inch sliced ginger to the pot, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and aromatic.
- Step 3: Pour in 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 cup chicken broth. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let the pork braise gently for 2 hours until tender and easily shredded.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce for 10 minutes until it thickens and coats the pork.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tsp white pepper powder evenly over the pork and stir to incorporate, adding a subtle heat and fragrance.
- Step 7: Season with salt to taste and garnish with 2 chopped scallions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Pork Shoulder with White Pepper Dusting take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (15 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 White Pepper Dusting?
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 White Pepper Dusting?
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 White Pepper Dusting 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 White Pepper Dusting?
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.
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