Cocoa and Spice Slow-Roasted Pork with Onions

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Health score
44%
Cocoa and Spice Slow-Roasted Pork with Onions
45 min.
8
447kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking for a dish that combines deep, rich flavors with tender, melt-in-your-mouth pork, look no further than this Cocoa and Spice Slow-Roasted Pork with Onions. This recipe brings together the bold, aromatic spices of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, along with the unique twist of unsweetened cocoa powder, to create a savory and slightly sweet rub for the pork shoulder. As the pork roasts, it becomes beautifully caramelized and tender, while the onions simmer to a golden, flavorful finish.

This dish is perfect for a hearty dinner or lunch, offering a satisfying combination of protein and spices. With its blend of savory seasonings and a touch of sweetness from the cocoa, each bite delivers a complex, comforting taste. The slow-roasting method ensures the pork is incredibly tender, while the onions add depth and richness to the dish, creating a complete meal that's gluten-free and dairy-free. Whether you're hosting a special gathering or enjoying a weekend meal, this recipe will leave everyone at the table craving more!

Pair it with a bold red wine, such as the Seghesio 2005 Sangiovese, to bring out the full range of flavors in this dish. This recipe is a great way to elevate your cooking while keeping things deliciously simple and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

  • tablespoons sea salt (preferably gray crystals)
  • 1.5 tablespoons sage fresh chopped
  • tablespoons ground cinnamon 
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cloves 
  • teaspoon nutmeg 
  • tablespoons olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
  • 3.8 pounds onion thinly sliced
  • pound boston butt pork shoulder with bone
  • tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
  • 1.5 cups water 
  • 0.5 tablespoon peppercorns cracked whole white
  • 0.5 tablespoon coriander seeds whole

Equipment

  • bowl
  • frying pan
  • oven
  • pot
  • roasting pan
  • kitchen thermometer
  • aluminum foil
  • microwave

Directions

  1. Stir peppercorns and coriander in small skillet over medium heat until spices are darker in color,about 5 minutes.
  2. Transfer toasted spices to spice grinder; grind finely.
  3. Place in small bowl; mix in remaining ingredients. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature.
  4. Heat oil in large pot over medium heat.
  5. Add onions and sage; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sauté10 minutes.
  6. Add 1 1/2 cups water; cover and cook until onions are soft, about 15 minutes. Uncover; continue to cook until onions are beginning to brown and water has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 300°F.
  8. Sprinkle spice rub on large sheet of foil.
  9. Roll pork in rub, pressing to coat (some of rub will be leftover). Set pork on rack in large roasting pan. Top pork with 1/3 of onions; scatter remaining onions around pork in pan.
  10. Roast pork and onions until onions are deep brown, stirring occasionally, about 3 hours.
  11. Transfer onions from pan to medium bowl. Continue to roast pork until very tender and thermometer inserted into center registers 165°F, about 2 1/2 hours longer.
  12. Transfer pork to platter. Rewarm onions in microwave at 10 second intervals and season with salt and pepper; spoon around pork.
  13. Seghesio 2005 Sangiovese (Sonoma, $25). Its hints of spice and dark fruit flavors are a slam-dunk with pork.
  14. Nutrition Data
  15. See Nutrition Data's complete analysis of this recipe ›

Nutrition Facts

Calories447kcal
Protein32.56%
Fat46.92%
Carbs20.52%

Properties

Glycemic Index
12.75
Glycemic Load
4.46
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
30.983913314083%

Flavonoids

Catechin
0.41mg
Epicatechin
1.23mg
Apigenin
0.03mg
Luteolin
0.06mg
Isorhamnetin
10.65mg
Kaempferol
1.38mg
Myricetin
0.06mg
Quercetin
43.22mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:447.13kcal
22.36%
Fat:23.41g
36.01%
Saturated Fat:5.98g
37.36%
Carbohydrates:23.03g
7.68%
Net Carbohydrates:17.58g
6.39%
Sugar:9.14g
10.16%
Cholesterol:115.86mg
38.62%
Sodium:1887.4mg
82.06%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:36.55g
73.11%
Copper:3.71mg
185.71%
Vitamin B1:1.63mg
108.85%
Selenium:52.36µg
74.8%
Vitamin B6:0.98mg
48.93%
Manganese:0.91mg
45.64%
Phosphorus:420.83mg
42.08%
Zinc:5.93mg
39.56%
Vitamin B3:7.69mg
38.47%
Vitamin B2:0.61mg
35.68%
Potassium:930.29mg
26.58%
Vitamin B12:1.45µg
24.21%
Fiber:5.46g
21.82%
Vitamin C:17.46mg
21.16%
Iron:3.21mg
17.86%
Vitamin B5:1.69mg
16.92%
Magnesium:66.94mg
16.74%
Folate:49.68µg
12.42%
Calcium:109.76mg
10.98%
Vitamin E:1.61mg
10.75%
Vitamin K:7.99µg
7.61%
Source:Epicurious