How to Slow-Roast a Pork Shoulder (2024)

My entertaining manifesto can be summed up like so: serve a big hunk of meat and a salad. Nearly every dinner party I throw follows that model, plus or minus some vegetables. The larger the guest list, the larger the hunk of meat.

I think there's something kind of magic about spending two days preparing a large roast to share with people that I love; putting that kind of time into a roast (even though most of that time is completely hands-off) brings a visceral, nourishing intentionality to the meal. The one I bring out over and over again that no one, myself included, ever gets bored of is a slow-roasted bone-in pork shoulder.

I've never made the exact same pork roast twice—the flavor and presentation change every time—but my technique is always the same. It's a good technique to know at times such as the holidays, when you might have a table of 12 or 14 to feed. And the best part of this technique? You don't need a recipe. You just need to follow these simple steps:

1. Procure a Big Hunk of Pork

A bone-in pork shoulder, butt, or picnic roast is the way to go for this kind of all-day slow-roasting project. Most bone-in pork roasts are somewhere between 8 and 12 pounds, which is just the right amount for feeding a crowd of 12 to 14. You want to make sure it's skin-off—they usually are, but double-check before you take it home.

Equal parts brown sugar, kosher salt, and ground spices are the secrets to a perfect pork rub. Add fresh grated garlic, too, if desired.

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell

2. Make a Rub

Equal parts kosher salt, brown sugar, and ground spices is the ideal ratio for a pork roast rub. For a 10-12 lb roast, you want 1/4 cup of each (of salt, sugar, and combined spices). For a smaller roast, decrease that amount by about 1 tablespoon per every 2 pounds. As for what spices to choose, go for a combo of whatever you want your pork to taste like: mustard seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, crushed red chili flakes, and fennel seeds are all good choices. I like to use whole spices and toast them in a skillet until fragrant, than crush them in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, but you can also use pre-ground spices if that's what you've got on hand. In addition to your equal parts of spices, salt, and sugar, you can also add some fresh grated ginger, garlic, or citrus zest to the mix. I love a sort-of-Italian blend of mustard seeds, peppercorns, chile flakes, fennel seeds, lemon zest, and garlic, or a sort-of-Asian blend of mustard seeds, chile flakes, coriander seeds, and fresh ginger.

How to Slow-Roast a Pork Shoulder (2024)

FAQs

How long do I cook a pork shoulder at 250 degrees? ›

Place it on a wire rack that is on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place it in the middle-rack of the oven at 250 degrees F and let it cook for 7-8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 190-200 degrees F (use a meat thermometer) for the best pulled pork.

Which is the best cooking method for a pork shoulder? ›

Pork shoulder benefits from long, slow cooking that tenderizes the meat and melts the fat. The best cooking methods for pork shoulder are braising or stewing, but it may also be fried, baked, or made into ground pork.

What temp should slow cooked pork shoulder be? ›

Midway during the slow cook process you can turn the pork over once. After 10 hours check the interior of the pork with a thermometer. We recommend a temperature of 195-200 °F / 90-93 °C for tender, juicy pork which pulls apart easily.

How many hours per pound for pork shoulder in slow cooker? ›

The internal temperature of a pork roast should be between 145 and 160 degrees.
  1. 2-4 pounds: 7-8 hours on low or 5 hours on high.
  2. 4-6 pounds: 8-9 hours on low or 6 hours on high.
  3. 6-8 pounds: 9-10 hours on low or 7 hours on high.
  4. 8-10 pounds: 10-11 hours on low or 8 hours on high.
May 19, 2021

How long to cook 8 lb pork shoulder at 275 degrees? ›

Place your seasoned pork shoulder on the grates of your smoker, close the lid, and smoke at 275 degrees F until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This process typically takes about 4.5-5 hours for an 8-pound shoulder.

How long to cook a 10 lb pork shoulder at 275 degrees? ›

Cook the pork shoulder in a 275° F oven, or on the grill over indirect heat, until the internal temperature reaches 180° F to 190° F—about 6 hours. The meat should be very tender and easily pull away from the bone.

What is the 3 2 1 method for pork shoulder? ›

This was all Steven's idea. Buoyed by the success of 3-2-1 ribs, one of our most popular blogs, Steven wondered what would happen if we treated a pork butt (aka, shoulder) to 3 hours of smoke, 2 hours wrapped in butcher paper, foil, or parchment paper, and 1 hour unwrapped.

Does pork shoulder get more tender the longer it cooks? ›

Unlike the more lean tenderloin and chops, pork shoulder is an incredibly forgiving cut of meat. It becomes more tender as it cooks and benefits from a lengthy cook time, so even if it stays on the heat a few minutes too long, you won't suddenly end up with something dry or rubbery.

What temp is pork shoulder most tender? ›

For BBQ cuts, the recommended temperature for optimal tastiness is 203°F (95°C). A pork shoulder cooked to 145°F (63°C) is safe to eat, but will not be tasty at all. Continue cooking high-connective-tissue cuts (which have enough fat and collagen to handle the high temperatures) to 203°F (95°C).

How long is too long to slow cook pork shoulder? ›

While it's hard to overcook a tough and fatty cut like pork shoulder when it's on low in a slow cooker, it will eventually become dry as more liquid evaporates. For best results, cook it in a small amount of liquid and don't cook it for more than 10 or 11 hours for best results.

Should I cut up pork shoulder before slow cooking? ›

Most slow-cooked pulled pork recipes call for four pounds of either pork shoulder or pork butt. Before sticking the pork directly in the slow cooker, cut it into quarters, pat the meat dry with a paper towel, and season each piece thoroughly with salt and pepper.

Should you flip pork shoulder in a slow cooker? ›

Turning the pork

I recommended turning the pork at least once to help the meat cook evenly. This can be difficult if you are out for the day while the meat is cooking, in which case try to turn it when you get home and allow another hour cooking time.

Can you overcook pork shoulder in slow cooker? ›

The Slow Cooker as a Tool for Braising

You can even leave your house. Set the cooker to low; the high setting will boil the meat instead of braise it, so it's only a quicker trip to an undesirable outcome. Pork shoulder self-bastes and stays moist, and is nearly impossible to overcook.

Why is my slow cooked pork shoulder tough? ›

If you overcook meat, it becomes dry and tough. Often people using a slow cooker and don't check when the food is actually done. If a recipe says cook for 8 hours on low, people may not check the food for 8 hours.

Can you put pork shoulder in slow cooker without liquid? ›

Just cook it on low. Our tendency is to drown meats in a slow cooker and that's not necessary. Usually, 1/2 cup is plenty … or none. The recipe below mimics a smoker for making pulled pork.

How long to cook pork shoulder at 250 per pound? ›

As a general guideline, a 2-3 pound pork shoulder typically takes around 6-7 hours to cook in oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The rule of thumb is to allocate approximately 1 hour per pound of meat, but the exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of the pork shoulder.

Is 250 too hot for pork shoulder? ›

A temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit is key in this process. It's hot enough to cook the meat but cool enough to let it happen slowly, which is what you want when smoking meat.

How long to cook 10 lb pork shoulder at 250 degrees? ›

For a whole shoulder it takes 1hr per pound – so expect a 17-18 hour cook. I smoke the pork shoulder with hickory wood until it gets a nice bark on the outside and hits around 150-160 internal. At that point I wrap the pork shoulder and cook until it hits 192 internal.

Should pork shoulder be at 225 or 250? ›

Pork shoulder is a very forgiving cut of meat and is perfect for the novice cook. Pork shoulders average about 7-9 pounds and can be found in two packs at your local warehouse or butcher. I cook my pork shoulders between 225-250 degrees until the meat reaches and internal temperature of 195-200 degrees.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 6308

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.