Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Italian Herbs and Garlic

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

Tender and flavorful pork shoulder slow-roasted with garlic, rosemary, and thyme, perfect for a hearty Italian-style meal. This Italian recipe, ready in about 315 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, garlic cloves, fresh rosemary 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: 15 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. Using a sharp knife, make small slits all over the 3 lb pork shoulder and insert 6 sliced garlic cloves into the slits.
  2. Step 2: Rub the pork shoulder with 3 tbsp olive oil, then evenly sprinkle 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 3 sprigs chopped fresh rosemary, and 2 sprigs chopped fresh thyme all over the meat.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan and roast in the oven for 4 to 5 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before shredding or slicing to serve with pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Italian Herbs and Garlic 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 Italian Herbs and Garlic?

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 Italian Herbs and Garlic?

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 Italian Herbs and Garlic 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 Italian Herbs and Garlic?

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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