You will love this easy recipe for Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder. It transforms humble pork into a delicious dinner, enhanced by the deep notes of red wine and the aromatic herbs. The slow braise makes sure you have fork-tender meat every time, making it a comforting and elegant dish for any occasion.
Sometimes the best way to get things done is to do it the old fashioned way. And I have never found a pork stew or pork dish that can come close to this perfect wine braised pork shoulder.
Braising is a way to cook food that uses wet and dry heat. It first fries the meat and then slowly cooks it in a liquid. Braising is a way to make even the toughest meats fall apart tender.
So when you place pork and fry it in oil and onions and then cover it in flavorful red wine, broth, and herbs, you get a dish that has perfectly thick sauce and delicious pieces of meat.
I have tried to make this in my crock pot and pressure cooker, and while that is a great way to keep the food warm, I have found my family likes the texture of the sauce better when it can be cooked on the stove first.
Whether you need a delicious weeknight dinner or something to impress guests, this braised pork shoulder is a great option.
What Ingredients Are in a Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder:
- Olive Oil: the smooth base that gives flavor to everything around it.
- Pancetta: gives a rich, savory depth.
- Shallots: adds a mild, sweet onion flavor.
- Pearl Onions: brings sweetness and texture.
- Boneless Pork Shoulder: pork roast is the star of the show, slow-cooked for tenderness.
- Fruity Red Wine: the robust flavors of red wine add depth and complexity.
- Chicken Bone Broth: adds flavor to the savory liquid base.
- Carrots: adds natural sweetness and color.
- Fresh Thyme Sprigs, Sage, Bay Leaf: wrapped together to form a bouquet garni for aromatic infusion.
- Butter: adds richness to the final sauce.
- Fresh Parsley: adds a vibrant, herbaceous garnish.
- Whole Wheat Couscous: a simple side that complements the dish and soaks up the braising liquid flavors.
Pro Tip: Use quality red wine for depth in this dutch oven pork shoulder, and let the pork braise longer than the recipe suggests for even more tenderness.
How to Make Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder:
- Sauté pancetta and shallots in a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, allowing flavors to meld.
- Brown pork on all sides for a rich, caramelized exterior.
- Add wine, broth, carrots, and bouquet garni, scraping the browned bits to get all the flavor.
- Lower heat and simmer gently until pork is fork-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove large chunks of meat and veggies, and boil the accumulated juices uncovered to reduce by half.
- Stir in butter, reintroduce solid ingredients, and simmer again.
- Serve over couscous, garnished with parsley and fresh ground black pepper if desired.
Pro Tip: Simmer brasier pork shoulder gently for optimal tenderness, and let the liquid reduce to your preferred thickness.
How Long to Braise Pork Shoulder:
Braise pork shoulder for at least one hour, and up to four hours for extra tenderness.
Don’t fear overcooking; letting this pork recipe cook longer enhances the flavors.
Do You Remove Fat from Pork Shoulder Before Braising:
No, you do not need to remove the fat from a pork shoulder before braising!
The slow braise renders the fat, which adds flavor to the dish’s richness without any chunks of fat at the end.
If you see pieces of fat on your meat, it should keep cooking. If you cannot wait, remove the excess fat if desired.
Is Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder Healthy?
While braised pork shoulder is rich and hearty, it is also a healthy option.
It has lean protein, veggies, and the option for serving it with whole grains.
What to Serve with Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder:
Serve braised pork shoulder with red wine with whole wheat couscous to soak up the juices.
I also like adding rustic bread, a bitter greens salad, or mashed potatoes for a complete, satisfying meal. Try one of these tasty dishes:
- Potato Leek and Bacon Bake
- Beet Arugula Goat Cheese Salad
- Raw Parsnip Salad
- Simple Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Banana Cornbread
- Mexican Tomato Recipe
- Power Greens Salad
- Mac and Cheese with Egg
- Farro Salad
- Potato Gratin Stacks
- Marsala Cream Sauce
- Bread Knots Recipe
- Roasted Vegetables
- Fingerling Potato Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Au Gratin with Bacon
How to Store Leftover Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder:
Store leftover dutch oven pork shoulder refrigerated in an airtight container. It will stay good for up to one week.
Can You Freeze Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder?
Yes you can freeze brasier pork shoulder! Freeze in a sealed container for up to 2-3 months.
Then you can thaw and reheat in a saucepan over medium heat for a quick, delicious meal any time you want it.
Can You Make Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder Ahead of Time?
Yes you can make red wine braised pork shoulder ahead of time!
Prepare it in advance, then reheat gently for a stress-free dinner when you need it.
Pro Tip: Make this braised pork shoulder with red wine and keep it in your slow cooker or instant pot on the keep warm setting.
Then when people are in and out and need dinner, they can serve themselves and leave it out at a food safe temperature until other people are ready to eat.
Is Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder Gluten-Free?
Yes, red wine braised pork shoulder is a gluten-free dish.
Just make sure the broth and other prepackaged ingredients you use are also gluten-free.
Companies sneak gluten into the most unusual items.
Is Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder Keto?
I do not know if Red wine braised pork shoulder is keto.
It has a moderate amount of carbs from wine and vegetables, so it may not fit strict keto.
But it can be enjoyed in moderation, even with a low-carb lifestyle.
Will Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder Make Me Tipsy?
No, red wine braised pork shoulder will not make you tipsy. The alcohol cooks off during the braise, leaving behind the rich flavors without the alcohol content.
If you need a dinner with deep flavors that everyone will enjoy, you will love this red wine braised pork shoulder.
With a little chopping and patience as you braise the meat, this might be the best pork you have ever had.
Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder
Red Wine Braised Pork Shoulder is a dish combining pork, fresh herbs, and red wine. It's perfectly tender and a masterpiece meal.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces, diced pancetta
- 1/4 cup minced shallot
- 1 bag white pearl onions, halved and peeled
- 2.5 - 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
- 16 ounces fruity red wine
- 7 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 7 fresh thyme stalks
- 20 fresh sage leaves
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Couscous, prepared according to package directions
Instructions
- Drizzle olive oil into a Dutch oven or braiser set over medium high heat.
- When shimmering, add pancetta and shallots. Stir to coat and let simmer for one to two minutes.
- Add pearl onions, cut side down and cook relatively undisturbed for two to three minutes.
- Add pork, sprinkle with salt and pepper and brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side.
- Add wine and bone broth and scrape fond off the bottom of the pot.
- Add carrots.
- Make bouquet garni by wrapping the thyme, sage and bay leaves in cheesecloth and tying off with string.
- Submerge in the liquid in the pot.
- Bring liquid to a boil then cover the pot and bring the flame to low.
- Mixture should simmer very gently, if you’ve got vigorous bubbles your flame is too high
- Stir gently every half hour.
- Cook like this, covered, until the pork is fork tender. It will take at least one hour, likely more. Don’t fear overcooking. Like I said, I often let it go for up to four hours.
- When pork has reached desired tenderness, remove pork and vegetables from the pot to a bowl using a slotted spoon and bring the flame under the pot back up to high. Bouquet garni can be discarded at this point.
- Let liquid boil, uncovered until it’s reduced by at least half. When it is as thick as you like it, lower the heat and stir in the butter.
- Reintroduce the pork and vegetables to the sauce and stir to coat thoroughly. Allow to simmer gently, uncovered, for an additional fifteen minutes.
- Serve garnished with parsley over couscous.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 941Total Fat: 65gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 35gCholesterol: 234mgSodium: 1359mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 58g