Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice Rub

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

Juicy pork shoulder slow-roasted with a fragrant five-spice blend that creates a deep, authentic flavor. This chinese-inspired pork ready in about 260 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 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 Chinese cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tbsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves to form a rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and massage the five-spice rub evenly all over the meat surface.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a heavy oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 3 minutes per side.
  4. Step 4: Brush 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp honey over the pork, then cover the pan tightly with foil.
  5. Step 5: Roast pork shoulder in the oven for 3.5 to 4 hours until tender and easily shredded.
  6. Step 6: Let pork rest uncovered for 15 minutes before slicing or pulling apart.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Five-Spice Rub 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 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 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 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 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.

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