Indulge in the delectable flavors of braised pork shoulder, a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds with its tender, fall-off-the-bone texture and rich, savory sauce. This classic dish, often referred to as "pulled pork," is a harmonious blend of succulent pork, aromatic onions, and a symphony of herbs and spices, slow-cooked to perfection. Whether you prefer the traditional stovetop method, the convenience of a slow cooker, or the smoky allure of a Dutch oven, our comprehensive guide provides three enticing recipes that cater to your cooking preferences. Embark on a culinary journey as we unveil the secrets behind this beloved dish, ensuring that each bite is a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER
Chunks of pork shoulder cook low and slow in an apple cider sauce until perfectly tender and sauce has thickened. This is delicious served over spätzle or buttered rice.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Pork Pork Shoulder Recipes
Time 2h25m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Generously salt all sides of the pork shoulder chunks. Heat oil in a heavy pot over high heat. Brown pork shoulder pieces until surface is seared and crusty, about 3 or 4 minutes per side. Transfer browned pork to a plate. Add onions to oil and reduce heat to medium and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook and stir about 2 minutes. Add torn sage leaves; cook until onions soften and begin to brown, stirring frequently. Pour cider into pot; stir to deglaze bottom. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Stir in cider vinegar. Reduce heat to low.
- Transfer pork shoulder pieces to cider mixture. Cover; simmer gently on low 1 hour. Remove lid and turn pieces over. Cover; simmer on low until meat is fork tender, 1 to 2 more hours. Transfer pork to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
- Raise heat to high and bring sauce to a simmer. Whisk in creme fraiche. Simmer until liquid is reduced by half and is slightly thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in a pinch of cayenne. Transfer pork back to pot; reduce heat to low. Baste pork with sauce while it heats through and becomes perfectly tender, and the sauce is as thick as you want it, about 15 more minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 696.3 calories, Carbohydrate 16.8 g, Cholesterol 176.5 mg, Fat 47.1 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 36.3 g, SaturatedFat 19.7 g, Sodium 1670.7 mg, Sugar 14.3 g
BRAISED PORK SHOULDER WITH ONIONS
Make and share this Braised Pork Shoulder With Onions recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Boomette
Categories Onions
Time 3h20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F).
- In a large ovenproof pan, brown the meat in 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan, gently brown the onions in the remaining oil until well caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the flour and stir to combine. Add the wine and bring to a boil.
- Return the meat to the pan and add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cover and braise in the oven for 2 hours. Remove the lid and continue cooking for about 1 hour or until the meat falls easily with a fork.
- Serve with a green vegetable and mashed potatoes.
- Reserve half of the meat and sauce to the Braised Pork Macaroni Casserole.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 772.2, Fat 55.5, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 161.2, Sodium 338.6, Carbohydrate 11.3, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 4.2, Protein 39.6
BRAISED PORK SHOULDER
Steps:
- Using a spice grinder, grind the coriander and cumin seeds until they are a fine powder.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Sprinkle the pork shoulder with the ground spices and salt, then tie each piece so they cook evenly.
- Coat a Dutch oven with olive oil and bring to a high heat. Brown the first pork on all sides. Remove the pork from the pan and reserve. Ditch the fat in the pan and give a few drops of new oil. Repeat with the second pork and remove.
- Lower the heat to medium and toss in the fennel and onions and season them with salt and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper. Cook the onions and fennel until they are soft and very aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.
- Add the wine and reduce by half. Stir in the mustard and add the bay leaves and thyme. Return the pork to the Dutch oven and add stock to the pan until it comes halfway up the side of the pork. Add salt if needed. Bring the liquid to a boil, cover and put the Dutch oven in the preheated oven.
- After 1 hour, turn the pork over and add more liquid to the pan if the liquid level has gone down. Cover and return to the oven for 1 hour.
- Turn the pork back over and return to the oven without the lid and cook for 45 more minutes. The liquid should concentrate.
- Remove the pan from the oven, remove the pork and reserve for 15 minutes, tented with aluminum foil. Skim any excess fat from the pan and reduce the pan juices, if needed.
- Slice the pork and serve with onions, fennel and juices.
- Wine Pairing Suggestion: Pinot Grigio
BRAISED PORK SHOULDER
Make an irresistible dinner (or three!) with a slow-cooked pork shoulder that has the perfect flavors for a cool evening. Use this recipe to make Open-Faced Porchetta Sandwich with Caramelized Apples or Ribbon Pasta With Pork Ragu and Fresh Sage. Use the pork skin to make Roasted Baby Potatoes with Cracklings and Chives.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Pork Recipes
Time 4h50m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Crisp pancetta in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, until fat is rendered, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.
- Add onions to Dutch oven. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, about 25 minutes. Transfer to plate using slotted spoon.
- Season pork with salt and pepper. Add oil to Dutch oven, and sear pork, fat side down, until golden, about 5 minutes. Flip, and repeat.
- Add garlic and spices to pot. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ale, stock, pancetta, and onions; bring to a simmer. Transfer to oven, and braise pork, covered, basting every hour, until meat is falling off the bone, about 4 hours. Shred meat (just what you're using) using 2 forks, and drizzle with warm skimmed jus.
CIDER-BRAISED PORK SHOULDER WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
This is VERY good! Second time I had a large boneless Boston Butt from the Farmer's market. I inserted garlic slivers, scored the skin and then rubbed the meat with salt, pepper, rosemary and thyme, then refrigerated for about 5 hours and it was just as good! Have also added some chopped, peeled apples and it adds a nice dimension to the flavor. I usually add more garlic, and some carrots and celery. If you like it nice and juicy, use 2 cups of apple cider. Third time, I browned and did the onions and cider the night before and then fridged it over night. Next day, just slow cooked it.This is from Gourmet Magazine, Dec.2001.
Provided by Scoutie
Categories Ham
Time 3h30m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 325°F
- Score fat and any skin on pork in a crosshatch pattern. Make slits all over meat with a small sharp knife and insert a garlic sliver in each slit. Pat pork dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart ovenproof heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown meat on all sides, turning occasionally with the aid of tongs and a carving fork, about 8 minutes. Transfer pork to a plate.
- Add onions to pot and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden, about 5 minutes.
- Add 3/4 teaspoon salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized, 8 to 10 minutes more.
- Stir in cider and return pork to pot.
- Cover pot with a tight-fitting lid and braise pork in middle of oven until very tender, 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Transfer pork to a serving dish with the aid of tongs and carving fork.
- Boil cooking juices with onions until mixture is reduced to about 2 cups, 2 to 3 minutes, then season with salt and pepper and serve with pork.
- Cooks' note:· Pork can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered. Reheat in liquid, covered, at 325°F 1 hour.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1061.3, Fat 64.1, SaturatedFat 21.7, Cholesterol 340, Sodium 357.5, Carbohydrate 17.7, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 7.3, Protein 98.5
Tips:
- Choosing the right pork shoulder: Look for a pork shoulder that has good marbling, as this will help keep the meat moist during cooking.
- Browning the pork shoulder: Browning the pork shoulder before braising helps to develop flavor and color.
- Using a Dutch oven: A Dutch oven is a great vessel for braising pork shoulder, as it distributes heat evenly and helps to create a moist cooking environment.
- Adding aromatics: Aromatics such as onions, garlic, and carrots add flavor to the braising liquid.
- Using a flavorful braising liquid: The braising liquid is essential for adding flavor to the pork shoulder. Use a combination of stock, wine, and herbs.
- Cooking the pork shoulder until it is fall-apart tender: The pork shoulder should be cooked until it is fall-apart tender. This will take several hours, depending on the size of the pork shoulder.
- Serving the pork shoulder: Serve the pork shoulder with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad.
Conclusion:
Braised pork shoulder is a classic comfort food dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The combination of tender pork, flavorful braising liquid, and aromatic vegetables makes this dish irresistible. Whether you are serving it for a special occasion or a weeknight meal, braised pork shoulder is sure to be a hit.
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