Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork shoulder slow-braised with smoked paprika and garlic, served alongside sautéed collard greens for a soulful Southern meal. This southern-inspired pork ready in about 180 minutes pairs pork shoulder, smoked paprika, garlic cloves, minced 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: 160 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub 2 lbs pork shoulder with 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear pork on all sides until deeply browned, about 4 minutes per side.
  2. Step 2: Remove pork and sauté 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves in the same pot for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant. Pour in 2 cups chicken broth, scraping up browned bits, then return pork to pot. Cover and braise in the oven for 2.5 hours until pork is fork-tender.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb chopped collard greens, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Sauté for 8-10 minutes until greens are wilted and tender with a slight tang.
  4. Step 4: Shred the braised pork with two forks and serve alongside the sautéed collard greens, spooning some of the braising liquid over the meat for moisture and flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (20 min prep + 160 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 Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens?

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 Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens?

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 Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens 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 Southern-Style Braised Pork with Smoked Paprika and Collard Greens?

Southern 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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