Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Fennel

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork shoulder slow-roasted with fresh fennel and bright citrus, creating a tender, flavorful dish with a fragrant, slightly sweet aroma. This mediterranean-inspired pork ready in about 315 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder, large, sliced thin fennel bulb, orange zest 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 300 min Serves 8 Mediterranean cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder all over with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 3 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tbsp orange zest evenly across the pork.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder fat side up in a roasting pan. Scatter 1 large thinly sliced fennel bulb and 6 crushed garlic cloves around the pork. Drizzle 1/4 cup fresh orange juice over everything.
  3. Step 3: Roast uncovered for 4 to 5 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, until the pork is fork-tender and internal temperature reaches 195°F.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork and let it rest for 20 minutes while tented with foil. Stir 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme into the pan juices and fennel to serve alongside.
  5. Step 5: Slice or pull the pork shoulder and serve with the citrus-fennel mixture spooned over the top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Fennel 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 Citrus and Fennel?

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 bone-in pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Fennel?

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 Citrus and Fennel 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 Citrus and Fennel?

Mediterranean 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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