Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Chinese Five-Spice Rub

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

Tender, juicy pork shoulder infused with aromatic Chinese five-spice and a crisped exterior from slow roasting. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 315 minutes pairs pork shoulder, Chinese five-spice powder, sea salt 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: 15 min Cook: 300 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 275°F (135°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 tbsp vegetable oil to form a paste.
  2. Step 2: Rub the spice mixture thoroughly all over the 3 lbs pork shoulder, massaging it into the meat to coat evenly.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder on a roasting rack inside a baking tray. Roast in the preheated oven for 4 to 5 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C) and the meat is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Increase the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and roast the pork for an additional 15 minutes to crisp the exterior.
  5. Step 5: Remove from the oven, tent with foil, and rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Chinese Five-Spice Rub take to make?

Total time is about 315 minutes (15 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 Pork Shoulder with Chinese 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 Chinese 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 Chinese 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 Chinese Five-Spice Rub?

Chinese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes