I’d love to share my secret ways to cook pork shoulder (Boston butt) in the slow cooker so that the results are always perfect! Whether you want a mouthwatering pork roast or tasty pulled pork, I can show you how to make it very tender and juicy, never dry!
I will give you tips so that your pork shoulder turns out tender and juicy every time. Whether you want a pork roast or pulled pork. BTW this post does contain affiliate links that earn the site a commission.
This is a cut of pork from the upper shoulder of a pig. It is also called pork shoulder. Though it’s called “butt,” it’s not actually from the back of the pig. In this case, “butt” refers to the wooden barrels that were used to store and transport pork in the past.
Boston butt is a cheap and tasty cut of meat that is often used for barbecue, pulled pork, and other dishes that are cooked slowly. It has a lot of fat on it, which makes it perfect for cooking slowly for a long time, like roasting, smoking, or braising. When meat is cooked slowly and low, the fat and connective tissues break down. This makes pulled pork that is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
BBQ Rub: Today, to keep things easy-peasy, I’m going with Bad Byrons Butt Rub Barbecue Seasoning. You can use any seasoning you like, though—just don’t be shy about it—sprinkle on a lot before you start cooking.
As any pitmaster knows, pork shoulder is one incredibly flavorful and versatile cut of meat From pulled pork to carnitas, there’s almost no end to what you can do with it But when your pork shoulder comes with the bone in or you’ve got some leftover bones after cooking, you may wonder – what’s the best way to use them?
As it turns out, there are plenty of delicious options for repurposing pork shoulder bones. By saving them and putting them to good use, you can get the most value out of your ingredient, add depth of flavor to other dishes, and reduce waste. Read on for 12 awesome ways to use up pork shoulder bones after cooking so they don’t go to waste.
1. Make Your Own Bone Broth or Stock
One of the best uses for raw or cooked pork shoulder bones is to simmer them into a rich, flavorful homemade broth or stock. The bones contribute collagen, marrow, and pork essence that makes for an incredible cooking liquid. Use your pork bone broth as the base for soups, stews, sauces, gravy, rice dishes, and more. It adds a depth of flavor you just can’t get from store-bought.
2. Fortify Beans or Lentils
Cooking beans or lentils in liquid infused with pork bones gives them a meaty, savory undertone. Simply add the bones to your pot of beans while they cook. Remove them before serving, and you’ll have a flavorful pot likened to ham and beans.
3. Make Congee or Jook
In Asian cuisines, rice porridge cooked with pork bones is comfort food at its finest. Simmer the bones for hours to extract maximum flavor, then remove them before adding rice to the broth. Season the porridge with ginger, green onions, soy sauce, and other aromatics.
4. Boost Stuffing or Dressing
Bread-based stuffing gets a major flavor upgrade when made with pork bone broth. Use it in place of plain chicken or vegetable broth for a rich meaty flavor that perfectly complements the stuffing ingredients.
5. Enhance Sauces and Gravies
From pan sauces to gravies and reductions, pork shoulder bone broth adds deep flavor and silky texture. Use it as the cooking liquid or as part of the sauce base for dishes like pot roast, steak, chops, meatloaf, and more.
6. Make Jambalaya
For next-level jambalaya, cook the pork shoulder bones in the liquid first to get all that seasoned flavor infused. Discard the bones then add veggies, spices, rice, and protein. The bones lend a smoky, robust taste throughout.
7. Use in Fried Rice
Take your fried rice up a notch by cooking it in pork bone broth instead of water. The broth enhances the flavors of the other ingredients without overpowering. Just reduce it first to concentrate the flavors.
8. Bake Bread or Cornbread
Substitute pork broth for the water or other liquids when making bread, cornbread, or other batters and doughs. The pork essence adds moisture, richness, and savoriness you don’t get with plain water.
9. Boost Pot Pies
The creamy filling in pot pies is even better made with pork bone broth as the base. Cook your veggies in the broth, use it to make the sauce, and boil the crust in it too. Next level comfort food!
10. Make Pork and Beans
Of course, beans braised with pork bones are fantastic. But you can also add chopped pork shoulder meat to the beans along with the bones for a true pork and beans dish.
11. Enrich Stews and Chilis
Braising meat and veggies in bone broth is a no-brainer, but bones can also be cooked right in the stew or chili to infuse it with porky richness throughout.
12. Flavor Vegetables or Grains
Pour pork broth over rice, quinoa, veggies, or anything that could use a savory boost. The leftover cooking liquid is liquid gold – don’t waste a drop!
As you can see, repurposing pork shoulder bones in these creative ways allows you to make the most of your ingredients. Keep them on hand in the freezer until you’ve collected enough to make a hearty batch of broth. Then transform your bones into the secret ingredient that gives your food next level depth and soul.
Two reasons I am using bone-in Pork Butt
Flavor: Collagen, marrow, and connective tissue found in bones can give meat rich, savory flavors as it cooks.
Save money: Sometimes, bone-in cuts are cheaper than boneless cuts, so cooks who are watching their pennies should choose them.
So it adds more flavor and is cheaper, to me this is a win-win!
Should you trim the fat or leave it? That is up to you but I leave it on.
Cooking a pork roast in the crockpot is like a little adventure with many factors at play. You’ve got the size and thickness of your roast, the kind of slow cooker you’re using, and even the room temperature! To make sure I don’t accidentally overdo it, I like to play it safe and use a trusty meat thermometer. It’s my cooking buddy for keeping things just right!
Right now, I absolutely love the ThermoPro TempSpike as my go-to meat thermometer!
Now, let’s talk about the best temperatures for your Boston butt! ️ I aim for about 195°F for a juicy roast that melts in your mouth. But if you’re craving that incredible pulled pork texture, I’d say go all the way to 205°F.
As soon as your pork reaches the right temperature, trim off any extra fat and it’s ready to be served!
Now for the important question: how long did I cook my pork? I let it do its thing for six hours, or until the internal temperature reached 205°F. I then used a trusty probe to make sure it was truly tender.
Once the pork has reached 205°F, shred it into pieces and add a lot of your favorite BBQ sauce for the best pulled pork ever with a saucy twist. Then, set your crockpot to “keep warm” and let it mingle for an extra hour of flavor bliss!.
5 Ways To Use A Pork Shoulder
FAQ
What can you do with pork shoulder bones?
Is bone-in pork shoulder good for pulled pork?
Are pork bones good for bone broth?
How much does a bone-in pork shoulder yield?
What to do with a bone-in pork shoulder roast?
Once your bone-in pork shoulder roast is cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve and savor the flavors. Here are some serving suggestions: Carve the roast into thick slices and serve with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad for a complete meal. Use the succulent meat to create mouthwatering sandwiches or tacos.
How do I Fix my Shoulder pain?
Put ice on the shoulder area for 15 minutes, then leave it off for 15 minutes. Do this 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 3 days. Rest your shoulder for the next few days. Slowly return to your regular activities. Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) may help reduce inflammation and pain.
What can I do with leftover pork shoulder bones?
The best way to use up pork shoulder bones is to make a rich broth or stock. Store any leftover bones in the freezer until you have enough to make a large pot of broth. Once you have this liquid gold on hand, you can use it to make soups, stews, casseroles, sauces, and much more. The term “pork shoulder” can be confusing.
What to eat with pork shoulder?
First, you’ll marinate the pork shoulder in a herbal rub for out-of-this-world flavor. Then slow roast it in a bed of browned apples and onions for a bit of sweet and savory goodness. This roast is finger-licking-good on its own. But if you’re in the mood for some carbs, serve it with mashed potatoes or a big helping of roasted veggies!