Slow-Roasted Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus
Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with a fragrant herb and garlic rub, brightened with fresh citrus juice for a flavorful main dish. This pork recipe, ready in about 320 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, salt, black pepper 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.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 6 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh regional herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary)
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 6 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp chopped regional herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary), and 3 tbsp olive oil to form a paste.
- Step 2: Rub the herb and garlic mixture all over the 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder, ensuring even coverage. Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a roasting pan.
- Step 3: Pour 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice around the pork. Cover loosely with foil and roast in the oven for 4 to 5 hours, basting every hour with the pan juices, until the meat is fork tender and pulls apart easily.
- Step 4: Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 425°F. Roast uncovered for 15 minutes to crisp the exterior. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus take to make?
Total time is about 320 minutes (20 min prep + 300 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 Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus?
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 Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus?
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 Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus 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 goes well with Slow-Roasted Herb Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Citrus?
International 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.
