Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with fresh garlic and zesty citrus creates a flavorful and juicy main dish perfect for family dinners. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 195 minutes pairs pounds pork shoulder, fresh garlic cloves, minced, orange juice 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
- 3 pounds pork shoulder
- 6 cloves fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). Rub 3 pounds of pork shoulder evenly with 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 tablespoon dried oregano.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder for 4 minutes per side until golden brown all over.
- Step 3: Remove the pork and add 6 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1/2 cup water, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen browned bits.
- Step 5: Return the pork shoulder to the pot, cover tightly with a lid, and transfer to the oven. Cook for 3 hours, basting every hour with the cooking juices, until the pork is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 6: Remove the pork from the oven and let rest for 15 minutes before shredding and serving with pan juices spooned over.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic 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-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic?
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 pounds pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Garlic?
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 Citrus and Garlic 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 Citrus and Garlic?
Caribbean 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.
