Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice Rub

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

Juicy pork shoulder slow-cooked to tender perfection with a fragrant five-spice seasoning, perfect for a comforting family dinner. This chinese-inspired st. patrick’s day ready in about 495 minutes pairs pork shoulder, five-spice powder, salt 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 2 tbsp five-spice powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves in a small bowl. Rub this spice mixture all over the 3 lbs pork shoulder.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes until browned.
  3. Step 3: Transfer pork to a slow cooker. Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp hoisin sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 cup water; pour over pork.
  4. Step 4: Cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the slow cooker, mixing with the juices before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice Rub take to make?

Total time is about 495 minutes (15 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 Five-Spice Rub?

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 Five-Spice Rub?

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 Five-Spice Rub 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 Five-Spice Rub?

Chinese st. patrick’s day 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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