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

Hong Kong’s Italian Dining Scene

Meet the chefs shaping the city’s restaurants, bars and pastry shops.

September 22, 2026

Testaroli: Liguria’s Simplest Comfort Food

How two humble ingredients become a beloved Ligurian classic.

September 22, 2026

Welcome Fall With Pumpkin Pie Pizzelle

These crisp Italian cookies bring pumpkin and warm autumn spices to every bite.

September 22, 2026

This Week in Italian Dining News: New Openings & Negroni Week

Italian restaurants are giving diners something new to look forward to.

September 21, 2026

Avere Le Mani in Pasta: When Italians Get Involved

English puts a finger in every pie. Italian puts both hands into the dough.

September 21, 2026

Meet the Sarti Spritz: The Blush-Pink Sip Dominating Aperitivo Hour

This colorful Italian spritz is made for summer.

September 21, 2026