Slow-Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pork Shoulder

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

A succulent pork shoulder slow-roasted with garlic cloves and fresh rosemary, creating a tender, aromatic centerpiece perfect for family dinners. This pork recipe, ready in about 260 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, fresh rosemary sprigs, 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 8, 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: 240 min Serves 8 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 4 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tsp sea salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp olive oil all over. Insert 8 smashed garlic cloves and 4 fresh rosemary sprigs under the skin and into the meat for infused aroma.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder fat-side up in a roasting pan surrounded by 1 large quartered yellow onion. Pour 1 cup chicken broth into the pan to keep the meat moist.
  3. Step 3: Cover loosely with foil and slow roast for 4 hours, basting with pan juices every hour. Remove foil for the last 30 minutes to develop a crispy crust. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing thinly and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Garlic and Rosemary 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 Garlic and Rosemary 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 Garlic and Rosemary Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 should I serve with Slow-Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Pork Shoulder?

Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.

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