Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Fennel

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

Juicy pork shoulder slow-roasted with garlic, fennel seeds, and aromatic herbs until fork-tender and richly flavored. This Italian recipe, ready in about 320 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, fennel seeds 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: 300 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). In a small bowl, combine 6 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp crushed fennel seeds, 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make a paste.
  2. Step 2: Rub the spice and herb paste all over the 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder, coating evenly.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a large roasting pan with 1 large quartered onion and pour 1/2 cup white wine around the meat.
  4. Step 4: Cover the roasting pan tightly with foil and roast in the oven for 4 to 5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shredded.
  5. Step 5: Remove the foil for the last 30 minutes to allow the pork surface to brown and develop a crust.
  6. Step 6: Let the pork rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve with pan juices and roasted onions.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Garlic and Fennel take to make?

Total time is about 320 minutes (20 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 Garlic 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 pork shoulder from drying out.

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

Italian italian 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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