How Do I Cook a Pork Shoulder Blade Roast? A Step-by-Step Guide

Spicy, sweet, and succulent, this slow-roasted pork is definitely one for your recipe collection. A boneless pork shoulder is covered with a spice rub made from dried chiles, brown sugar, and ginger. Then it is roasted, first at a very high temperature to brown the outside and then at a very low temperature to break down the connective tissues, make the meat more juicy, and cook it all the way through.

When you use a digital probe thermometer with this pork shoulder recipe, you don’t have to worry about getting the temperature right. Just put the probe into the roast as deep as it will go, set the temperature goal to 140 F, and wait for the beep.

“I followed the instructions and roasted a 3. 78-pound pork butt roast to 140 F, then let it rest for 15 minutes to reach 145 F. The pork sliced nicely and the flavor was excellent. For tender, falling-apart pork, you’ll want a temperature of about 190 F to 200 F. ” —Diana Rattray.

Pork shoulder blade roast, also known as Boston butt or Boston shoulder, is a flavorful and juicy cut of meat that can make for an amazing centerpiece dish when cooked properly But if you’ve never cooked pork shoulder before, you may be wondering – how exactly do you cook this cut to perfection?

In this article, I’ll walk through a simple, foolproof method for cooking pork shoulder blade roast in the oven. With just a few basic ingredients and steps, you’ll have tender, mouthwatering pulled pork in just a few hours.

Benefits of Cooking Pork Shoulder Blade Roast

Before jumping into the cooking instructions, let’s first go over why pork shoulder makes such a great roast Here are some of the benefits

It’s budget-friendly – Pork shoulder tends to cost much less per pound than other pork roasts like loin or tenderloin. This makes it more accessible for everyday cooking.
Extremely juicy and flavorful – The high fat content keeps this cut super moist and imparts tons of rich, porky flavor.
It is hard to overcook pork shoulder because it stays tender even when cooked at higher temperatures. You don’t have to stress about pulling it at a precise instant.
Versatile – Shredded pork shoulder is delicious in tacos, sandwiches, bowls, soups and more. It also pairs well with many global cuisines.
Easy and hands-off cooking – Just season it up, pop it in the oven and let it slowly roast while you relax or work on sides.

Ingredients Needed

To cook pork shoulder blade roast, you just need a few simple ingredients:

3-5 lb pork shoulder roast
2-3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
1-3 tablespoons of dry rub or seasoning blend
1/2 – 1 cup chicken broth, apple juice, beer or other cooking liquid

Some examples of seasoning blends that pair well with pork include:

Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano
Brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, pepper
Salt, pepper, sage, rosemary

And that’s it! Now let’s get to the cooking steps.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these simple steps for oven-roasted pork shoulder blade roast:

1. Prepare the Roast

Take the pork shoulder roast out of the packaging. Rinse if needed and pat dry with paper towels.
Apply a light coating of oil all over the roast. This helps the seasoning stick and promotes browning.
Generously season all over with your favorite spice rub or herbs. I like using a chili-based blend or just salt, pepper and garlic.

2. Brown the Roast

Preheat your oven to 300°F.
Place a large dutch oven or oven-safe pot on the stove over medium-high heat. Add 1-2 tbsp oil.
Once hot, carefully place the seasoned pork roast in pot and brown for 2-3 minutes per side. This adds a lovely caramelization.

3. Add Liquid and Transfer to Oven

After browning, transfer roast to a plate. Add your broth, beer or other liquid to the pot.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom. This adds flavor.
Place the roast back in pot and add enough liquid to come about 1/3 up the side of the roast.
Cover pot and transfer to preheated 300°F oven.

4. Roast in Oven

Roast for approximately 1-1.5 hours per pound, until fork tender. For a 3 lb roast, this is about 3-4.5 hours.
Halfway through roasting, you can baste or flip roast if desired. This helps moisten and evenly cook.
Once done, the internal temperature should reach 195-205°F. The meat should shred easily with a fork.

5. Rest and Shred

Carefully remove pot from oven. Transfer roast to a cutting board and tent foil over it.
Let rest 15-30 minutes so juices can absorb back into the meat.
After resting, use forks or hands to shred and pull pork apart into bite-sized pieces.
At this point the pork is ready to serve! You can toss it with bbq sauce, serve in tacos, pile on sandwiches or whatever you like.

And that’s it! By following these simple steps, you’ll have succulent, flavor-packed shredded pork shoulder roast. The hands-off oven roasting ensures it stays incredibly moist and juicy.

Cooking Tips

Here are some extra tips to ensure pork shoulder roast success:

For more smoke flavor, add soaked wood chips to pot when browning.
Use apple juice, ginger ale or root beer instead of broth for sweet flavors.
Apply rub up to 24 hrs before cooking so seasoning fully penetrates.
Use leftovers for quesadillas, omelets, pizza, casseroles and more.
Shred and freeze portions in an airtight container for quick meals later.
Add roasted vegetables like potatoes or carrots to the pot to cook alongside roast.

how do i cook a pork shoulder blade roast

Steps to Make It

Gather the ingredients. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner
Preheat the oven to 500 F. Form a paste with all of the spice rub’s parts in a small bowl. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner .
Use a basting brush or spoon to coat the roast. (With the size of your roast, you might have some left over.) ) The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner .
The pork shoulder should be put on a rack in a roasting pan and then put in the oven. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner .
Roast for 20 minutes. Turn down the heat to 250 F and keep cooking until the probe thermometer reads 140 F. This should take about an hour more. The roast should have a beautiful brown color on the outside. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner .
Take the roast out of the oven, loosely cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes. During that time, the temperature will keep rising until it reaches 145 F, which is the right level. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner .
Slice, serve, and enjoy. The Spruce Eats / Nyssa Tanner

You don’t have to worry about hitting any bones with the thermometer, which would change the temperature reading, because this cut of pork doesn’t have any. The method works every time as long as you put the probe’s tip right in the middle of the roast.
The USDA changed its suggested cooking temperature for pork in 2011. It used to be that pork should be cooked to 160 F. Now, pork should be cooked to 145 F instead of 160 F.
This technique will also work for a smaller roast. You will need to shorten the initial high-temperature roasting time. For a 3-pound roast, cut the cooking time from 20 minutes to 15 minutes.
Remember that this is for a roast that you can slice. When you roast meat for pulled pork, make sure the roast is at least 190 F for the right texture.

I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder

FAQ

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 is pork shoulder blade roast good for?

Pork shoulder can be roasted whole and sliced, like ham, or braised and sliced or chopped before serving. It can also be cut into chunks for stew or chili recipes.

What is the difference between pork shoulder and pork shoulder blade?

The shoulder represents approximately 18% of the entire carcass and is commonly split into two portions of roughly equal size: the pork shoulder blade and the pork shoulder picnic. The blade is the upper portion of the pork shoulder and can often be found labelled as shoulder butt or Boston butt.

What temperature should pork shoulder blade be cooked to?

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.

How do you cook a pork shoulder blade roast?

The best way to prepare a pork shoulder blade roast for baking is to first season it generously with a dry rub or marinade of your choice. Make sure to coat the entire roast with the seasoning and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

What is a pork shoulder blade roast?

A **pork shoulder blade roast** is a cut of meat that comes from the upper portion of the front shoulder of the pig . It is also known as **Boston butt** or **Boston shoulder** in some regions .

How do you season a pork shoulder blade roast?

Some recommended seasonings or flavorings for a pork shoulder blade roast include a mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or sage. You can also add a touch of sweetness with brown sugar or a tangy kick with mustard or vinegar-based marinades.

How do you cook a pork shoulder in the oven?

Brown the pork before cooking: Broil the pork shoulder on low until the outside is golden brown. This makes the outside crispy and adds flavor. Wrap the pork when cooking: Wrapping the pork in the oven will help retain the juices and keep the pork from drying out. Unwrap the pork briefly when you desire to develop a crispier crust.

Benefits of Cooking Pork Shoulder Blade Roast

Ingredients Needed