Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables
Fall-off-the-bone pork shoulder slow-cooked with star anise and a medley of roasted root vegetables for deep, aromatic comfort. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 260 minutes pairs whole pods star anise, large, chopped onion, minced garlic 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.
Ingredients
- 2 lb, trimmed and cut into 2-inch cubes pork shoulder
- 4 whole pods star anise
- 4 medium, peeled and chopped 1-inch carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and chopped 1-inch parsnips
- 1 large, chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 lb pork shoulder cubes dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Sear pork in batches for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: Add 1 large chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 whole star anise pods, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp soy sauce until sugar dissolves.
- Step 4: Return pork to pot. Add 4 medium chopped carrots, 2 medium chopped parsnips, and 1 cup beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Simmer 2 hours, checking occasionally to ensure liquid is bubbling gently. After 2 hours, uncover and simmer 30 minutes more until pork is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 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 Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 whole pods star anise from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
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 Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables 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 Star Anise Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?
French one pot 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
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
