Name: Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder With Butternut Squash
Yield: 10 servings, with leftovers
Ingredients: 1 6–7-pound bone-in pork shoulder (Boston butt), preferably skinless; 3 tablespoons kosher salt, plus more; 2 medium butternut squash (about 7 pounds total; pick ones that are about the same size and shape); 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more; 2 cups apple cider or juice; ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari; ½ cup distilled white vinegar, plus more; 1 head of garlic; 6 scallions, trimmed; Steamed white rice (for serving)

This image may contain Food Dish Meal Platter and Plant

Alex Lau

Bone-in pork shoulder is one of the least expensive, party-friendly animal proteins you can buy. Boneless will work for this recipe as well, but it will cook through a bit quicker. If you end up with skin-on pork shoulder, either take it off yourself—easy to do with a sharp knife and a YouTube video—or simply cook it with the skin on and remove it after the pork is fully cooked. This pork is the star of the $50 dinner party; see the rest of the menu here.

Recipe notes

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Weeknight Pumpkin Chili

A can of pumpkin purée adds richness, body, and an autumnal hue to this speedy chili, letting the flavors of the spices, aromatics, and ground beef shine.

Gingery Pork Stuffed Tomatoes

We reimagined pork dumplings as a filling for juicy stuffed tomatoes.

Camélia’s Sweet Potato Gratin

With salty-sweet miso butter, chives, and savory flakes of nori, this cheesy sweet potato gratin recipe bears little resemblance to traditional versions.

Pad Kra Pao

This fast stir-fry dish pairs minced pork and fragrant basil with hot Thai chiles and a crispy fried egg.

Sweet-and-Spicy Squash With Scallion Oil

Roasted squash loses its bland reputation and turns glossy and fragrant thanks to a gingery miso-glaze and a quick scallion oil.

Butternut Squash Orzo With Fried Sage

Canned butternut squash purée (find it by the canned pumpkin!) makes this cozy, cold-weather recipe come together in a snap.

Vinegar Chicken With Figs

A weeknight-friendly chicken dinner with two kinds of vinegar, dried figs, and a rich sauce. It’s restaurant-quality food in just 30 minutes.