Best 5 Easy Pork Shoulder Recipes

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Pork shoulder, often referred to as pork butt or Boston butt, is an affordable and flavorful cut of meat that can be transformed into a tender and succulent dish with the right preparation. Particularly suitable for slow-cooking methods, pork shoulder benefits from long cooking times that allow the connective tissues to break down, resulting in fall-apart tender meat. Whether you prefer a classic pulled pork, juicy carnitas, or a succulent roasted pork shoulder, there's a recipe out there to suit your taste. With a little patience and some simple ingredients, you can create a mouthwatering pork shoulder meal that will impress your family and friends.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE ROASTED PORK SHOULDER



Simple Roasted Pork Shoulder image

A basic garlic and olive oil mixture is the flavor basis for Aaron McCargo Jr.'s Simple Roasted Pork Shoulder recipe from Big Daddy's House on Food Network.

Provided by Aaron McCargo Jr.

Time 4h55m

Yield 2 pounds of meat

Number Of Ingredients 4

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (4 pound) pork shoulder

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Using a pastry brush, spread the mixture all over the pork shoulder.
  • Set the meat on a rack set into a roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes, and then reduce the heat to 325 degrees F. Continue to cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the shoulder reads 185 degrees F, about 4 hours. Remove the pork from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes.

EASY PORK SHOULDER



Easy Pork Shoulder image

Roasting a whole pork shoulder takes time, but it's worth the wait. It yields a lion's share of rich, tender meat that you can prepare in diverse ways.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 5h

Yield Makes 8 to 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 3

1 boneless pork shoulder (7 pounds)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Using a sharp knife, score the fat (but not the meat) on 1 boneless pork shoulder (7 pounds) in a diamond pattern. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper. Place pork, fat side up, in a roasting pan or large Dutch oven with 1/2 cup water. Roast until some fat has rendered, about 45 minutes. Remove pan from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Tightly cover pan with foil or a lid. Cook until meat is very tender, about 4 hours. When cool enough to handle, remove fat from top of roast. Using two forks, shred meat into bite-size pieces, discarding any large pieces of fat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 471 g, Fat 28 g, Protein 52 g

ROASTED PORK SHOULDER



Roasted Pork Shoulder image

When I discovered Puerto Rican food, I was hooked. I've made this recipe my very own through trial and error, by researching ingredients and adding more or less of them to my taste. I think the results in this dish are just right. -Joanne Morgan, Kansas City, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h45m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
12 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons whole peppercorns
1 boneless pork shoulder butt roast (3 to 4 pounds)
10 cups water

Steps:

  • In a food processor, combine the first eight ingredients. Cover and process until combined. Pour into a large resealable plastic bag; add the pork. Seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight., Drain and discard marinade. Place roast on a rack in a roasting pan; pour 2 cups water into pan. , Bake, uncovered, at 450° for 1 hour. Reduce heat to 400°. Bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours longer or until meat is tender, adding more water to the pan as needed. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 340 calories, Fat 23g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 101mg cholesterol, Sodium 1050mg sodium, Carbohydrate 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

SLOW COOKER PORK SHOULDER



Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder image

Easy and versatile. After it's cooked I pull it apart and then separate it, to make 2 different meals by changing up the sauce. I will post the sauce recipes separately. :-)

Provided by Corilayn

Categories     Pork

Time 8h5m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

5 lbs pork shoulder
2 -3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 -3 tablespoons liquid smoke
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika (optional)
3 -4 tablespoons honey
2 medium onions, sliced

Steps:

  • Score fat cap on the pork shoulder in a diamond pattern.
  • Rub the shoulder with the Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke, use enough to cover entire shoulder.
  • Combine spices and rub on top and sides.
  • Layer onions on the bottom of the slow cooker and place shoulder on top.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight, not necessary but recommended.
  • Remove and allow to come to room temperature.
  • Drizzle honey all over the top, enough to thinly cover.
  • Cook on low for 6 - 10 hours, it depends on the meat and how you like it.
  • Pull meat apart with a couple forks and it's ready for 'dressing'.
  • After that, the possibilities are endless.
  • I took half the meat and put it back in the slow cooker on warm with 1 cup of bbq sauce and a cup of cola mixed with meat for 30 mins.
  • Served with baked beans and rice tonight.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 951.3, Fat 68.1, SaturatedFat 23.6, Cholesterol 268.4, Sodium 691.9, Carbohydrate 15.1, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 10.8, Protein 65.8

EASY ROAST PORK SHOULDER



Easy roast pork shoulder image

Master roast pork with crispy crackling using our easy recipe. This makes for a special Sunday lunch, served with roast potatoes and veg

Provided by Anna Glover

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h50m

Number Of Ingredients 4

2kg pork shoulder joint
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1½ tsp fine sea salt
1 large onion, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 240C/220C fan/gas 9. Remove any packaging from the pork, retaining the string, and pat dry with kitchen paper - you want the skin to be as dry as possible. Score deep cuts into the skin in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife (you want to cut into the fat). If the skin is already scored, make sure each cut is dry and can be easily opened. Rub the oil into the skin, rubbing it well into each cut, then sprinkle the salt over in an even layer, rubbing this into the cuts, too.
  • Scatter the onion slices over the base of a large roasting tin and sit the pork joint on top. Roast for 20-30 mins, or until the skin starts to blister and bubble. Put the kettle on to boil.
  • Pour half a kettle of boiling water around the joint to cover the base of the tin, ensuring it doesn't drip onto the skin. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Roast for another 2 hrs 30 mins, or until the meat under the skin is very tender when pressed. There's a lot of fat in pork shoulder, so cooking at a low temperature this way ensures the meat doesn't dry out - if needed, it can cook for up to 3 hrs.
  • Turn the oven back up to 220C/220C fan/gas 7 and continue to roast the pork for 20-25 mins until the skin is very crisp and has started to harden - it should feel brittle when tapped with a knife. If needed, cook for 10 mins more to achieve this. Remove the pork from the oven and rest for 20 mins in the tin, loosely covering with foil. Remove the crackling in large pieces, then break into smaller chunks. Carve the meat and serve alongside the crackling and your favourite sides.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 592 calories, Fat 38 grams fat, SaturatedFat 13 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 3 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 2 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 60 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Choose the right cut of pork shoulder: Look for a pork shoulder that is well-marbled with fat, as this will help keep the meat moist during cooking.
  • Season the pork shoulder generously: Use a combination of salt, pepper, and your favorite spices to season the pork shoulder. This will help to enhance the flavor of the meat.
  • Cook the pork shoulder low and slow: The best way to cook pork shoulder is to cook it low and slow. This will allow the meat to become tender and fall apart easily.
  • Use a braising liquid: Adding a braising liquid to the pork shoulder will help to keep it moist and flavorful. You can use a variety of liquids, such as broth, stock, wine, or even beer.
  • Let the pork shoulder rest before serving: Once the pork shoulder is cooked, let it rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful.

Conclusion:

Pork shoulder is a versatile and delicious cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you are braising it, roasting it, or slow-cooking it, pork shoulder is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you are looking for a hearty and flavorful meal, give pork shoulder a try. You won't be disappointed!

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