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.

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 from Appetito

Chef Domingo Schingaro of Due Camini in Puglia

Chef Domingo Schingaro of Due Camini shares his approach to seasonal cooking in Puglia.

March 20, 2026

Pappa al Pomodoro Recipe from Danimade Kitchen

A rustic Tuscan tomato and bread stew that transforms simple ingredients into something deeply flavorful.

March 20, 2026

Make St. Joseph’s Day Pasta the Brooklyn Roots Way

Chef Thomas Perone of Brooklyn Roots shares his recipe for St. Joseph's Day Pasta featuring marinated fish and robust aromatics.

March 19, 2026

Old School and Modern: Eating Italian in Los Angeles

A historic Beverly Hills red sauce institution with Sinatra-era roots offers a rare glimpse into old school Italian dining in Los Angeles, balanced by the city’s modern Italian evolution.

March 19, 2026

Gudrun Cuillo: The Woman Who Revived a Tuscan Hamlet and Winery

Twenty-one questions with Gudrun Cuillo, owner of Casalvento and Livernano in Chianti Classico.

March 19, 2026

Domenica Marchetti on Her New Cookbook: Italian Cookies

Italian cookbook author Domenica Marchetti shares the details of her forthcoming title dedicated to Italian cookies.

March 18, 2026
See all posts