Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub

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

Tender pork shoulder slow-roasted with a fragrant Asian five-spice blend, delivering juicy meat with a crispy, aromatic crust perfect for hearty dinners. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 275 minutes pairs pork shoulder, Asian five-spice powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 255 min Serves 6 Asian cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons Asian five-spice powder, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 2 kg pork shoulder with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the pork, pressing gently to adhere.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat. In a separate bowl, mix 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1/2 cup water, then pour the mixture around the pork.
  5. Step 5: Cover the skillet tightly with foil and roast the pork shoulder in the oven for 4 hours, basting every hour with pan juices.
  6. Step 6: After 4 hours, remove foil and increase oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Roast uncovered for 15 minutes to crisp the exterior.
  7. Step 7: Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before slicing thinly against the grain to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub 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 Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub?

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 Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub?

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 Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub 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 Pork Shoulder with Asian Five-Spice Rub?

Asian 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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