Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Caribbean Pineapple Glaze
Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder bathed in a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze, capturing the vibrant flavors of Caribbean cuisine. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 290 minutes pairs pork shoulder, pineapple juice, brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 pork shoulder
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- 1, seeded and finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Rub 4 lbs pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp ground allspice evenly over all sides.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup pineapple juice, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 finely chopped scotch bonnet pepper until sugar dissolves.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large ovenproof Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Step 4: Pour the pineapple glaze mixture over the pork, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and place in the oven. Roast for 4 hours, basting every hour with the pan juices.
- Step 5: Remove lid and roast uncovered for an additional 30 minutes to caramelize the glaze, spooning sauce over pork frequently.
- Step 6: Let pork rest for 15 minutes before shredding. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and serve with the pan juices spooned on top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Caribbean Pineapple Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 290 minutes (20 min prep + 270 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 Caribbean Pineapple Glaze?
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 Caribbean Pineapple Glaze?
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 Caribbean Pineapple Glaze 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 Pork Shoulder with Caribbean Pineapple Glaze?
Caribbean 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.
