Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Romesco Sauce

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

Tender slow-cooked pork shoulder served with a vibrant Catalan Romesco sauce made from roasted peppers and almonds. This spanish ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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: 20 min Cook: 480 min Serves 6 Spanish cuisine 490 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder all over with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear pork on all sides until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Transfer pork shoulder to a slow cooker. Pour in 1 cup water, cover, and cook on low for 8 hours until pork is tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare Romesco sauce by blending 3 large roasted and peeled red bell peppers, 1/2 cup toasted almonds, 1 slice white bread (crust removed), 2 tbsp sherry vinegar, 1/2 tsp smoked chili powder, and 2 tbsp chopped parsley until smooth.
  4. Step 4: Once pork is done, shred it with two forks and toss with 3/4 cup Romesco sauce, reserving some sauce for serving.
  5. Step 5: Serve shredded pork piled on plates with extra Romesco sauce spooned over top for a smoky, nutty finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder with Romesco Sauce 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 Romesco Sauce?

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 Romesco Sauce?

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 Romesco Sauce 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 Romesco Sauce?

Spanish spanish 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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