Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever'

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fall-apart tender pork shoulder braised in a rich tomato-herb sauce that's earned its title as 'the best' of all slow-cooked meals. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, diced tomatoes, red wine for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 lbs pork shoulder dry with paper towels and season generously with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on all sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then sear pork shoulder for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned with a crust forming.
  3. Step 3: Remove pork and add 1/2 cup diced onion to the pot, sautéing for 3 minutes until softened and translucent.
  4. Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 can diced tomatoes and 1/2 cup red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
  5. Step 5: Return pork to pot, nestling it into the sauce, then cover with 1 cup chicken stock and add 3 sprigs fresh thyme.
  6. Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is fork-tender, then remove pork and thyme sprigs.
  7. Step 7: Strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, then return sauce to pot.
  8. Step 8: Whisk 2 tbsp flour into the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes until thickened to a glossy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever' take to make?

Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever'?

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-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever'?

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-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever' 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-Cooked Pork Shoulder 'The Best Ever'?

American slow cooker 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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