Beer-braised pork shoulder

Step 1/8

• ⅜ carrot
• 1¼ cloves garlic
• 1⅝ shallots

• cutting board
• knife

Finely dice carrot, mince garlic, and slice shallots.

Step 2/8

• ¾ kg pork shoulder (boneless)
• salt
• pepper

• meat fork
• large, ovenproof pot with lid

Trim excess fat from pork shoulder, if desired. Season with salt and pepper. Heat a large, ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Brown pork on all sides, then transfer to plate and set aside.

Step 3/8

• oven
• cooking spoon

Preheat oven to 150°C/300°F. Pour off almost all fat from pot, leaving some fat to coat the bottom for browning. Then, add carrots, garlic, and shallots. Sauté over medium-high heat for approx. 3 – 5 min. until vegetables soften and become fragrant.

Step 4/8

• ⅜ tbsp tomato paste
• 150 ml dark beer

Stir in tomato paste and cook for approx. 2 min., then deglaze with beer. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan with the cooking spoon.

Step 5/8

• 1¼ tbsp flour
• 50 ml apple cider
• ¾ tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 100 ml chicken stock
• ¾ tbsp mustard powder
• 2⅜ sprigs thyme
• salt
• pepper

• whisk

Add flour and whisk until combined. Cook for approx. 10 min. until mixture starts to thicken. Stir in cider, vinegar, chicken stock, Dijon mustard, mustard powder, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6/8

• aluminum foil
• cutting board

Return pork to pot, cover, and transfer to oven. Cook for approx. 3 hrs. at 150°C/300°F, then uncover pot and continue to cook for approx. 1 hr., or until the meat is fork tender. Transfer pork to cutting board and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Step 7/8

• flour for thickening

• whisk

Meanwhile, bring pan juices to a simmer on medium-high heat and let reduce slightly. If desired, combine some more flour with some water to create a slurry, then whisk into sauce to thicken.

Step 8/8

• carving knife
• cutting board

Thinly slice the pork and transfer to a serving platter. Spoon sauce over meat and enjoy with roasted vegetables and potatoes, if desired!

Enjoy your meal!