MSG Free Haitian Citrus-Braised Pork
Bright citrus, fresh herbs, and a long braise transform humble pork shoulder into something deeply savory and fall-apart tender. The marinade does the heavy lifting here — orange juice, lime, apple cider vinegar, garlic, scallions, thyme, and ginger all work together to build layers of flavor that taste like they took way more effort than they did. For anyone navigating menus and packaged seasonings that sneak in hidden additives, this recipe is a breath of fresh air: every single ingredient is whole, fresh, and easy to verify. The turmeric gives the pork a gorgeous golden hue, and the final sear in coconut oil creates a caramelized crust that makes each piece irresistible. Braising low and slow until the meat hits that pull-apart tenderness is the move, and the two-step braise-then-sear method is what separates this from a basic stew. Finish it with a squeeze of fresh lime and a scatter of parsley, and you've got a centerpiece dish that's as vibrant on the plate as it is on the palate.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the pork
- 2 ½ lb bone-in pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 3 scallions, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
For braising
- ½ cup water
For searing
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
- 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, scallions, parsley, thyme, ginger, turmeric, and salt. Add the pork shoulder chunks and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
- 2
Transfer the pork and all of the marinade into a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Add the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and braise for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, until the pork is completely tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest piece reads at least 195°F (90°C) — the meat should pull apart easily with a fork.
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