Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with German Rye Dumplings

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

Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder paired with traditional German rye dumplings soaked in rich pan gravy, evoking a cozy German bakery meal. This german-inspired pork ready in about 220 minutes pairs pork shoulder, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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: 25 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 German cuisine 550 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub 3 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp caraway seeds. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and sear pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves around the pork in the skillet. Pour 2 cups beef broth over everything and cover loosely with foil. Roast in oven for 3 hours until pork is tender and pulls apart easily.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, soak 6 slices crust-removed rye bread cubes in 1 cup milk for 15 minutes until softened. Squeeze out excess milk, then combine bread with 1 large beaten egg, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt to form dumpling dough.
  4. Step 4: Bring a large pot of salted water to a gentle simmer. Shape dumpling dough into 8 balls and cook for 15 minutes until they float and are firm to the touch.
  5. Step 5: Remove pork from oven and let rest 10 minutes. Skim fat from pan juices and whisk in 2 tbsp butter to make gravy.
  6. Step 6: Serve sliced pork shoulder topped with pan gravy alongside warm rye dumplings garnished with extra parsley.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with German Rye Dumplings take to make?

Total time is about 220 minutes (25 min prep + 195 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 German Rye Dumplings?

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 German Rye Dumplings?

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 German Rye Dumplings 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 German Rye Dumplings?

German 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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