Slow Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder
Tender pork shoulder braised with a blend of spices and a touch of sweetness, perfect for comforting family meals. This southern american-inspired pork ready in about 200 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and season evenly with 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp ground black pepper, and 1 tbsp smoked paprika.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side, then remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
- Step 5: Return pork shoulder to the pot; add 2 cups chicken broth, 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 2 bay leaves, and 3 fresh thyme sprigs.
- Step 6: Cover tightly and transfer to the oven; braise for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 7: Remove pork and shred with two forks, discarding bay leaves and thyme stems. Serve with the braising liquid spooned over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder?
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 Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder?
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 Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder 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 Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder?
Southern American 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.
