Slow Simmered Southern-Style Braised Pork Shoulder

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

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. 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: 180 min Serves 6 Southern American cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 large diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp brown sugar and 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze.
  5. 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.
  6. Step 6: Cover tightly and transfer to the oven; braise for 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  7. Step 7: Remove pork and shred with two forks, discarding bay leaves and thyme stems. Serve with the braising liquid spooned over the top.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

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.

Related recipes