This easy summer supper is the kind of meal I lean on when the day is full and I still want something hearty waiting at dinnertime. With just three ingredients, the protein slowly cooks until tender and deeply coated in a rich, dark amber glaze, giving you that sweet-savory comfort food feel with almost no hands-on work. It is a simple, practical family meal that tastes like you fussed a whole lot more than you really did.
Serve this with buttery mashed potatoes, soft sandwich buns, corn on the cob, or a crisp cabbage slaw to balance the richness of the glaze. For an easy warm-weather plate, I like to add baked beans, sliced watermelon, or a simple green salad, so everyone can build a supper that feels a little special without adding much extra work.
3-Ingredient Summer Sunset Supper
Servings: 6
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt roast
1 cup dark amber barbecue sauce
1 packet dry onion soup mix
Directions
1. Preheat your oven to 300°F. Set the pork shoulder in a baking sheet or shallow baking pan with sides, and pat the surface dry with paper towels.
2. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the pork, pressing it lightly onto the top and sides so it sticks well.
3. Pour the barbecue sauce over the pork and spread it all over to coat the roast in a thick, even layer.
4. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours, or until the pork is very tender and pulls apart easily with two forks.
5. Remove the foil, spoon some of the pan sauce over the top, and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes more to deepen the glaze.
6. Let the pork rest for 10 minutes, then shred or slice and serve with the extra sauce from the pan spooned over the top.
Variations & Tips
Slow Cooker Method: If you do not want to turn on the oven, place everything in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours. This is especially handy on busy days when you want supper handled early.
Sweeter Glaze: Use a honey or brown sugar style barbecue sauce if your family likes a sweeter finish. It gives the pork an extra sticky glaze that kids often really enjoy.
Milder Flavor: For picky eaters, use a plain original barbecue sauce and shake off a little of the onion soup mix before adding it. The flavor will still be savory, just a bit gentler.
Make It Into Sandwiches: Pile the shredded glazed pork onto soft buns and serve with pickles or slaw. This is a great way to stretch leftovers into an easy lunch or second dinner.
Cleanup Tip: Line the pan with foil before adding the pork if you want cleanup to be even easier. Since the glaze gets thick and sticky, that little step can save a lot of scrubbing later.