Comfort Food Monday ❤️❤️
🇹🇭 Slow-Braised Thai Basil, Ginger, Shallot & Rice Vinegar Pork (Fall-Apart Tender)
What you’ll need:
For 3.36 lb (1.5 kg) pork shoulder
• 3.36 lb (1.5 kg) pork shoulder (well-marbled)
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled
• 4–5 small shallots, peeled and sliced (about ½ cup)
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated or minced
• 1½ tsp black peppercorns
• 1½ tsp ground coriander)
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves, loosely packed
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar (add near the end for brightness)
• Optional: 1–2 Thai chilies, sliced (for heat)
• Optional: 1 tbsp minced lemongrass or 1 tsp lime zest
⸻
🔪 Let’s make it:
1. Make the marinade
• In a mortar and pestle or food processor, pound/blend together:
Garlic, ginger, shallots, peppercorns, and coriander seeds into a rough paste.
• Stir in oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar, oil, and coconut milk.
• Chop half of the Thai basil and mix it into the marinade.
2. Marinate the pork
• Rub the marinade all over the pork, making sure it’s well coated.
Optional: Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
3. Slow braise
🔸 Oven Method (best depth of flavor)
1. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
2. Place pork and all marinade (with shallots) in a Dutch oven or deep roasting dish.
3. Cover tightly with a lid or foil.
4. Roast for 3½–4½ hours, until the pork is fork-tender and beginning to fall apart.
5. In the last 30 minutes, remove the lid to brown the top and thicken the sauce.
4. Finish with basil & vinegar
• Once the pork is tender, remove from heat and gently shred it with forks.
• Stir in:
• The remaining fresh Thai basil leaves (they’ll wilt beautifully).
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar, to brighten the sauce.
• Taste and adjust — add a little extra vinegar or sugar if needed for balance.
5. Serve
Serve warm with:
• Steamed jasmine or sticky rice
• Spoonfuls of the rich basil–ginger–shallot sauce
• Garnish with extra basil, lime wedges, or sliced chili
Slow-braised pork shoulder is a classic comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a rich and deeply satisfying meal. Using 3.36 lb (1.5 kg) well-marbled pork shoulder ensures the meat becomes fall-apart tender after a long, slow-cooking process, allowing the flavors from the marinade to fully penetrate the meat. The marinade combines key Thai ingredients such as garlic, shallots, fresh ginger, black peppercorns, and ground coriander, which form an aromatic paste when pounded or blended in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Essential sauces like oyster sauce, soy sauce, and fish sauce contribute layers of umami, while brown sugar balances the savory elements with a slight sweetness. Coconut milk not only adds richness but also helps tenderize the pork during cooking. Fresh Thai basil is added both in the marinade and at the end of cooking to impart its signature herbal fragrance, which pairs beautifully with the ginger and shallots. Rice vinegar plays a critical role in this recipe, added near the end for brightness to cut through the richness of the pork and coconut milk. This acidity lifts the whole dish and balances the flavors, making the sauce vibrant and more complex. The slow braising process in a low oven temperature (300°F or 150°C) for several hours enables the pork to become incredibly tender and juicy while infusing the meat with the marinade's aromatic spices and herbs. Serving suggestions emphasize steaming jasmine or sticky rice to soak up the flavorful basil-ginger-shallot sauce. Optional garnishes such as extra basil leaves, lime wedges, or sliced Thai chilies can customize the heat and freshness according to taste preference. This recipe exemplifies comfort food that is both rich in tradition and adaptable to home kitchens, ensuring a deliciously memorable meal. For those interested in variations, adding minced lemongrass or lime zest can further enhance the aromatic profile, adding a citrusy brightness that complements the ginger and basil notes. This recipe reflects authentic Thai cooking techniques while remaining accessible for cooks looking for a rewarding slow-cooked pork dish at home.
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