Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice and Honey Glaze

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

Tender, slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with Chinese five-spice and finished with a sticky honey glaze for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 315 minutes pairs pork shoulder, Chinese five-spice powder, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 300 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F. Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub evenly with 1 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder, massaging the spices into all sides.
  2. Step 2: Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Roast uncovered for 4 to 5 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and an internal temperature of 195°F is reached.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, mix 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp grated ginger in a small bowl until combined.
  4. Step 4: During the last 30 minutes of roasting, brush the honey glaze over the pork shoulder every 10 minutes to build a sticky, caramelized crust.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let the pork rest for 15 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with the glaze drizzled on top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice and Honey Glaze 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 Five-Spice and Honey 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 Five-Spice and Honey 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 Five-Spice and Honey 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 Five-Spice and Honey Glaze?

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.

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