Slow Cooker Portuguese-Style Pork with Orange and Bay Leaves

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-23 · Updated 2026-06-23

Tender slow-cooked pork infused with bright citrus and aromatic bay leaves for a comforting, flavorful dish inspired by Braga, Portugal. This Portuguese-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, orange juice, fresh, orange zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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

• 2 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 cup orange juice, fresh
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

The slow cooker we’d leave this in all day → Best Slow Cookers in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chunks for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown, then transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced medium onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 bay leaves, 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1 tbsp orange zest, and 1/2 cup chicken broth to the slow cooker with the pork.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until pork is tender and easily shredded.
5. Step 5: Remove bay leaves, shred the pork with two forks, and stir well to combine with the cooking juices before serving.