Tender Pork Ragu

Using an affordable cut of pork shoulder, this dish transforms into a savory and guest-worthy meal after a long, slow braise. Courtesy of Amy Dong

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What is Pork Ragu?

Pork ragu is a flavorful Italian dish made with slow-cooked, tender pieces of pork, typically pork shoulder or pork butt. The pork roast is braised or simmered for an extended period in a savory sauce that usually includes ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs. This slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the pork to become extra succulent and super tender.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We all love a hearty, comforting meal that’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor. This stove-top pork roast recipe is just that and more. Here’s why we’re raving about it:

• Affordable: This recipe uses pork shoulder, an affordable cut of meat, making it budget-friendly without sacrificing flavor or quality.
• Flavors: The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and a full-bodied red wine gives this pork roast an incredibly savory flavor.
• Make-ahead: This recipe can be made 1-2 days ahead of time, making it one of the most perfect meal prep recipes for those busy weekdays. The flavors in this dish gain depth after resting overnight, making it even more delicious the next day.
• Versatile: This stove-top pork roast can be served with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice, making it a versatile dish that can be tailored to your preference.
• Friends and Family: With its tender, savory pork and rich, hearty sauce, this recipe is sure to impress your people, and it’s one of our favorite holiday recipes.
• Meal Prep: This tender pork ragu can be stored in freezer containers for future meals, making it a convenient option for those busy days. It also tastes amazing the next day!

Key Recipe Ingredients

Courtesy of Amy Dong

• Boneless Pork Shoulder/Butter—We use 3 pounds of this affordable cut, which, when slow braised, transforms into a supremely tender and savory dish that’s guest-worthy.
• Tomato Paste and Crushed Tomatoes—These ingredients add a rich tomato flavor and a thick, hearty texture to the ragu.
• Full Bodied Red Wine—Half a cup of this is used to deglaze the pot and add a depth of flavor to the ragu.
• Fresh Thyme, Rosemary, and Bay Leaves—These herbs are classic for roasts and anything made in a big pot or Dutch oven, and they infuse the ragu with their aromatic flavors.

Substitutions and Variations

This stovetop pork ragu recipe is hearty and flavorful on its own, but there’s always room for personal touches and variations. Here are some ideas to make this dish uniquely yours:

• The Meat: While we’ve used pork shoulder, you can experiment with other cuts of pork, or even switch to beef or chicken. Just remember, the cooking time might vary depending on your choice of meat.
• Spices: Feel free to play around with spices. You can add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
• Vegetables: You can add more vegetables to this ragu. Bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms would work great like they do in our Chicken Cacciatore.
• Herbs: If you want to change up the herbs, try using basil or oregano instead of thyme and rosemary.
• Garnishes: This ragu is garnished with fresh herbs, but grated parmesan cheese or a dollop of sour cream could add a delicious twist.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Towel-dry the pork thoroughly, then season it evenly.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat and brown the pork on all sides.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Add onion and garlic to the pot with the remaining oil, stirring frequently until the onion caramelizes.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Stir in the tomato paste until it darkens slightly in color. Pour in the wine, ensuring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Add the tomatoes along with their juices, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves to the pot. Stir in water and pork along, with accumulated juices. Bring to a boil, followed by simmer for 3-4 hours.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

Shred the pork into bite-sized pieces. Taste the sauce and season with additional salt, pepper, and herbs as desired.

How To Prep Ahead

This stovetop pork roast is a rustic, simple, and supremely delicious dish that we can make a day or two ahead of time. Take a look at our best prep-ahead tips for this recipe:

• Prep the Pork: You can cut the pork shoulder into quarters and season it with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper ahead of time. Just make sure to store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.
• Prep the Ingredients: Finely chop the onion and garlic cloves in advance and store them in the fridge. This will save you some time when you’re ready to start cooking.
• Make the Sauce: You can also prepare the tomato paste, red wine, and crushed tomatoes with juices in advance. Add in the fresh thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves, and store the mixture in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just add the pork and simmer until it is fork-tender.

Courtesy of Amy Dong

What To Serve With StoveTop Pork Ragu

Pasta

• Ragu is the ideal dish to serve over a plate of pasta. A classic choice is tagliatelle or pappardelle, but other pasta staples like penne, fusilli, rotini, or even spaghetti are great options.

Potatoes

• A classic side for pork roast is potatoes. We recommend trying these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or these Smashed Potatoes. They both pair wonderfully with the savory flavors of the pork roast.
• If you’re looking for a lighter potato dish, try these Garlic Herb Roasted Baby Potatoes. They’re flavorful, yet not too heavy, making them a perfect complement to the pork roast.

Vegetables

• Vegetables are a great way to balance out the richness of the pork roast. We love serving this dish with our Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash or our Honey Glazed Carrots.

Rice

• Rice can be a great addition to your pork roast meal. Our perfectly cooked rice is a crowd-pleaser and pairs well with the pork roast.
• Risotto or polenta are favorite side dishes for ragu; try our Risotto in the Instant Pot.

Bread

• Bread is always a good idea when serving pork roast. Our Homemade Dinner Rolls are soft, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up the delicious juices from the roast.
• For a more rustic bread option, try our Crusty French Bread. It is crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside, and pairs perfectly with the pork roast.

Tender Stovetop Pork Ragu

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins Cook Time: 4 hours hrs Total Time: 4 hours hrs 15 minutes mins Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into quarters
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 TB olive or canola oil, divided
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 3 oz tomato paste
• ½ cup red wine, full bodied
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes , with juices
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra for garnish
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, plus extra for garnish
• 2 bay leaves
• Optional Garnishes: freshly chopped parsley or other fresh herbs

Instructions

Towel-dry the pork on all sides. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides of pork and pat seasoning in.

Heat 1 TB oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium heat. Brown pork on all sides, 10-12 min. Transfer browned pork to a dish.

Remove burned bits from pot but leave rest of pan drippings and golden bits there. Add onion and garlic to the pot with remaining 1 TB oil. Stir often over medium heat until onion is caramelizing, 5-10 min. Add tomato paste and stir until slightly darkened in color, 1 min.

Add wine and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until mixture is thickened, 1 min. Add tomatoes with juices, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves; stir in 2 cups water. Add pork with accumulated juices.

Bring liquid to a boil and reduce to simmer. With lid slightly ajar, continue to simmer until pork is very fork-tender and sauce is thickened (thicker than a typical pasta sauce) 3-4 hours.

Shred pork or break apart into bite-size pieces. Taste and season with additional kosher salt and black pepper, as needed. Garnish with more freshly chopped herbs, as desired.

Notes

• For best results, make sure to towel-dry the pork before seasoning; this helps the salt and pepper stick better and ensures a nice, even crust when browning.
• Don’t skip browning the pork on all sides; this step adds a deep, savory flavor to the ragu that you can’t get any other way.
• Keep those flavorful pan drippings after browning the pork; they’re packed with flavor and will add richness to the onions and garlic as they caramelize.
• Use a full-bodied red wine for deglazing the pot; it will contribute to the robust flavor of the sauce and help pick up all those tasty browned bits.
• Be patient and let the pork simmer with the lid slightly ajar; this allows the sauce to thicken and the pork to become fork-tender, creating the perfect ragu texture.
• Fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme are key to this dish’s rustic charm; they infuse the sauce with aromatic flavors that dried herbs just can’t match.
• Serve your delicious pork roast with some crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or rice.
• Remember, this dish tastes even better the next day, so don’t hesitate to make it ahead of time; the flavors will meld and deepen, making your pork ragu even more delicious.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.3g | Protein: 54.3g | Fat: 11.2g | Saturated Fat: 2.1g | Cholesterol: 165.5mg | Sodium: 358.2mg | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 8.6g

This article was originally published on chewoutloud.com. Follow on Instagram

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