Traditional Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables

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

Fall-apart pork shoulder simmered with parsnips, carrots, and thyme in a rich herb-infused broth until deeply flavorful. This french-inspired slow cooker ready in about 180 minutes pairs trimmed of excess fat pork shoulder, medium, quartered yellow onion, fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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: 30 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 French cuisine 510 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat pork shoulder dry and season with salt and pepper. In a heavy pot, melt butter over medium-high heat and brown pork on all sides (8 minutes total). Remove pork and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add onion to pot and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute to form a paste. Gradually whisk in chicken stock and thyme, scraping up browned bits from pot bottom.
  3. Step 3: Return pork to pot, add parsnips and carrots. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for 2.5 hours until pork is tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork and vegetables; strain broth into a saucepan. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes to reduce until slightly thickened. Return pork and vegetables to pot, spooning broth over them.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables take to make?

Total time is about 180 minutes (30 min prep + 150 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 Traditional 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 fresh thyme from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional 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 Traditional 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 Traditional Braised Pork Shoulder with Root Vegetables?

French slow cooker 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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