Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Cumin and Orange
Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with warm cumin and bright orange zest, creating a juicy and aromatic Spanish-inspired main dish. This spanish-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs boneless pork shoulder, ground cumin, orange zest 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, boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp orange zest
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 5, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 large, sliced onion
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp orange zest, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Rub this spice mixture all over the 1.5 kg pork shoulder.
- Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until well browned. Transfer to a slow cooker.
- Step 4: Add 1 large sliced onion, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 4 sprigs fresh thyme around the pork in the slow cooker.
- Step 5: Pour 1/2 cup fresh orange juice and 1 cup chicken broth over the pork.
- Step 6: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 7: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks, mixing with the cooking juices before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Cumin and Orange 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 Cumin and Orange?
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 boneless pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Cumin and Orange?
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 Cumin and Orange 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 Cumin and Orange?
Spanish 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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