Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked in an aromatic broth of Chinese five-spice, star anise, and soy sauce, perfect for shredding over rice or steamed buns. This Chinese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 500 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, Chinese five-spice powder, star anise for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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
- 1.5 kg, cut into large chunks pork shoulder
- 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 3 whole pieces star anise
- 100 ml soy sauce
- 2 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 40 g, sliced ginger
- 4, smashed garlic cloves
- 3 stalks, cut into 5 cm pieces scallions
- 500 ml water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rub 1.5 kg pork shoulder chunks evenly with 2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder and 1 tsp salt. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the pork pieces on all sides for about 8 minutes total.
- Step 2: Transfer browned pork to a slow cooker. Add 3 whole star anise, 100 ml soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 40 g sliced ginger, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 3 cut scallions.
- Step 3: Pour 500 ml water into the slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 7-8 hours until pork is tender enough to shred with a fork.
- Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Strain the cooking liquid and reduce it in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Return shredded pork to the reduced sauce, toss to coat well, and serve hot with steamed rice or buns.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise 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 with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise?
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 with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise?
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 with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise 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 with Chinese Five-Spice and Star Anise?
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.
