Skip to Content
Recipes

Braising Series with Joanna Moeller: Winter Braised Pork Roast

The braising series with social media star Joanna Moeller of @spaghettiroots_nyc features a winter pork roast with fennel and pair.

10:00 AM EST on January 28, 2025

Winter Braised Pork Roast by Joanna Moeller.

Winter Braised Pork Roast by Joanna Moeller.

This winter pork roast is truly wonderful meat to braise. I like to use a pork butt (or shoulder) for this recipe as it has enough fat to slow cook and enrich the sauce.

The aromatics of onions, fennel and pear caramelize in the sauce through the long cook, resulting in a balanced flavorful accompaniment to the tender meat. 

I serve this dish as a second course on many a winter night as it is loved by more than many!

Below is the (silent) reel from Instagram with the recipe further down:

Winter Braised Pork Roast

Winter Braised Pork Roast

Recipe by Joanna Moeller
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

3

hours 

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 lbs. 4 boneless pork shoulder

  • Sea salt / black pepper

  • 2 2 d’anjou pears, quartered

  • 2 large 2 onions (1 red and 1 yellow), quartered

  • 3 small 3 bulbs of fennel, quartered

  • 2 cloves 2 garlic, smashed

  • 3/4 bottle 3/4 dry white wine such as a Pinot Grigio

  • 3 sprigs 3 fresh marjoram

  • 3 3 fresh bay leaves

  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

  •  Preheat the oven to 350℉.
  • Make 1-inch slits in the pork and stuff with the garlic and marjoram.
  • In a heavy pan coated with olive oil, over medium-high heat, sear the pork thoroughly and evenly.
  • Remove from pan and slather the pork with a thin layer of Dijon mustard. 
  • Add the onions, fennel, pears and garlic to the pot along with some more sea salt and black pepper to taste. 
  • Return the meat and add the wine and Bay leaf.
  • Cover and braise in the oven for 1-1/2 hours.
  • Uncover and braise for approximately another 1-1/2 to 2 hours until meat is falling apart.
  • Slice and serve with the roasted aromatics alongside and liquids over-top.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @appetitomagazine on Instagram and hashtag it with #italianfoodanddrink

Like this recipe?

Follow @Appetitomagazine on Pinterest

Follow us on Facebook!

Follow us on Facebook

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

5 Dietitian-Approved Italian Pantry Staples for Easy Meals

These versatile ingredients make it easy to prepare a satisfying meal in very little time.

September 17, 2026

Italian-Inspired Mac and Cheese

An Italian twist makes this comfort food classic even more irresistible.

September 17, 2026

Simple and Healthy Pasta with Olives and Chickpeas Recipe

A satisfying meal made with ingredients you may already have on hand.

September 17, 2026

“The Streets of Little Italy” Documents 100 Years of San Gennaro

A new documentary depicts how a feast became a living portrait of the Italian American experience in New York.

September 16, 2026

Gluten-Free Bruschetta With Roasted Tomatoes

An Italian classic gets an easy, end-of-summer twist.

September 16, 2026