Slow-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder
Succulent pork shoulder roasted slowly with aromatic wormwood and citrus zest, imparting a subtle bitter complexity to the tender meat. This french-inspired pork ready in about 275 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, minced garlic cloves 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 pork shoulder
- 10 grams, finely chopped fresh wormwood leaves
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 100 ml dry white wine
- 100 ml water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, mix 10 grams finely chopped fresh wormwood leaves, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper to form a paste.
- Step 2: Rub this herb-citrus paste all over the 1.5 kg pork shoulder, covering every surface.
- Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan and pour 100 ml dry white wine and 100 ml water into the pan.
- Step 4: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven for 4 hours, basting every hour with pan juices, until the meat is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 5: Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Roast uncovered for 15 minutes to crisp the exterior and intensify flavors.
- Step 6: Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving, spooning pan juices over the pork.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 275 minutes (20 min prep + 255 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-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder?
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-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder?
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-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder 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-Roasted Citrus and Wormwood Pork Shoulder?
French 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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