Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Japanese Miso Glaze

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

Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with a rich, savory miso glaze that caramelizes beautifully in the oven. This japanese-inspired pork ready in about 215 minutes pairs pork shoulder, white miso paste, soy sauce 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 Japanese cuisine 480 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Kitchen tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup white miso paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp sesame oil, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create the miso glaze.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder with paper towels and score the fat lightly. Rub the miso glaze all over the pork, ensuring an even coating.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, cover loosely with foil, and roast in the preheated oven for 3 hours or until the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C), and roast for an additional 15 minutes to caramelize the glaze, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  5. Step 5: Let the pork rest for 15 minutes before slicing or shredding to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Japanese Miso Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 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 Japanese Miso 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 Japanese Miso 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 Japanese Miso 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 Japanese Miso Glaze?

Japanese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes