Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Central Florida Citrus Glaze

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

Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with a bright glaze of local citrus, paying homage to Central Florida’s harvest traditions. This american-inspired pork ready in about 260 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 480 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: 240 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub the 4 lb pork shoulder evenly with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side.
  3. Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 cup honey until combined.
  4. Step 4: Place the seared pork shoulder in the skillet with 4 sprigs fresh thyme and 4 smashed garlic cloves. Pour the citrus-honey mixture over the pork.
  5. Step 5: Cover the skillet tightly with foil and roast in the oven for 4 hours, basting with the glaze every hour, until the pork is tender and shreds easily.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven, let rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding with tongs, spooning the citrus glaze over the meat before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Central Florida Citrus Glaze 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 Pork Shoulder with Central Florida Citrus 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 Central Florida Citrus 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 Central Florida Citrus Glaze 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 Central Florida Citrus Glaze?

American 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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