Italian Pork Roast

(4)

Bring back the Sunday roast pork!

Italian Pork Roast
Photo: Blaine Moats
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
4 hrs 50 mins
Servings:
11
Yield:
11 cups shredded pork mixture

This pork shoulder roast recipe is boldly flavored with lots of seasonings including rosemary, fennel, garlic, and black pepper. Crushing the herbs between your fingers before adding them to the dish helps release their natural oils and flavor. Fresh cherry tomatoes in the sauce adds a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the juicy pork and Italian seasoning.

A boneless pork shoulder roast is the ideal cut of meat for this pork roast recipe. Cooking it for a long period helps break down the fat and results in a tender roast. Once the meat has cooked low and slow for several hours, it will be easy to shred. We've included variations for both the Dutch oven and slow cooker. A Dutch oven is a heavy pot that helps with even cooking.

Leftover roast pork can be repurposed in a pasta dish, in a calzone or sandwich, or on top of salad or pizzas. Try adding the shredded pork to a homemade frittata or use it to meal prep lunches. Store the leftovers in the cooking liquid so they stay moist and flavorful. You can also freeze the leftover shredded pork for up to three months. Store the meat in a freezer-safe bag and seal it completely, pressing to remove any air. Be sure to label the bag with the recipe name and date to ensure you use it within the three month window.

Ingredients

  • 1 4-5 pound boneless pork shoulder roast

  • 2 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed

  • 2 tablespoon dried rosemary, crushed

  • 2 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

  • 2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed

  • 2 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 2 pound cherry tomatoes

  • 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh cremini or button mushrooms

  • 2 cup chopped yellow onion

  • ½ cup dry red wine or beef broth

  • ½ (6 ounce) can tomato paste (1/3 cup)

Directions

  1. pork shoulder in dutch oven

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the pork roast, fat side up, in a 6- to 8-quart Dutch oven.

  2. seasonings for pork shoulder

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    In a small bowl, stir together the Italian seasoning, rosemary, garlic, fennel seeds, black pepper, salt, and the crushed red pepper.

  3. pork shoulder rubbed with spices

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Rub the mixture all over the pork roast.

  4. pork and vegetables in pot

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Roast, covered for 3 1/2 hours. Add the tomatoes, mushrooms, and onion.

  5. wine and tomato paste

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Whisk together the wine and tomato paste.

  6. meat thermometer in pork

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Pour the tomato mixture over the pork. Roast, uncovered for 1 hour more or until tender and a thermometer inserted in the middle of the meat registers at least 190°F.

  7. shredded pork meat

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Remove the roast from the pot and shred the meat.

  8. shredded meat returned to pot

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Return the shredded meat to pot. Stir to coat.

  9. Italian roast pork

    BHG / Crystal Hughes

    Store the finished pork roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months. Makes 11 cups.

Test Kitchen Tip: To make this pork roast recipe in the slow cooker, prepare the recipe as directed, except place the meat in a 6- to 7-qt. slow cooker. Cover; cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Add the tomatoes, mushrooms, onion, and wine mixture. (Your slow cooker will be full.) Cover. Increase the heat to high. Cook for 1 hour more. Continue as directed to finish this slow cooker pork roast.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

131 Calories
3g Fat
5g Carbs
20g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 11
Calories 131
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 3g 4%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 49mg 16%
Sodium 238mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 8.1mg 41%
Calcium 25mg 2%
Iron 1.2mg 7%
Potassium 527mg 11%
Folate, total 13mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.7mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.7mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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