An amazing slow-roasted pork shoulder recipe for the oven. Your kitchen will smell delightful all day!
He serves steaks, swordfish, a pork butt (Boston butt) and Spatchcock chicken (I had to look that word up!).
Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt, is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork. This tough yet wonderfully tasty cut becomes fall-apart tender when slowly roasted in the oven. A 7lb pork shoulder roast provides ample meat for pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, soups, and more!
Cooking a pork shoulder properly ensures moist, delicious meat infused with flavor. Follow these simple steps for roasting a 7lb pork shoulder in the oven.
Overview of Cooking Time
A general rule of thumb when oven roasting pork shoulder is to allot 40 minutes of cook time per pound. For a 7lb roast, this equals about 45 hours of total cooking at a low temperature of 300°F.
However cook time can vary slightly depending on the shape and thickness of your particular roast. The internal temperature when finished should reach 195-205°F. Always use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
Step-by-Step Method
Follow these easy instructions for roasting a flawless pork shoulder roast every time.
1. Prepare the Pork Shoulder
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Start by taking the pork shoulder out of the packaging and patting it completely dry with paper towels. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
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Make a simple dry rub by combining salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, brown sugar, and any other desired spices. Generously coat the pork shoulder with the rub.
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For better smoke absorption later, trim off any thick areas of hard fat from the exterior. Leave about 1⁄4 inch of fat intact.
2. Sear the Pork Shoulder
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In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp oil over medium-high heat.
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Place the pork in the hot skillet and sear on all sides until well browned, about 2 minutes per side.
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Searing adds color and enhances the flavor.
3. Roast the Pork Shoulder
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Preheat oven to 300°F.
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Place the seared pork shoulder on a rack in a roasting pan. Be sure to position it fat side up.
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Roast for approximately 40 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F.
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For a 7lb roast, this will take about 4.5 hours.
4. Rest, Shred, and Serve
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Remove pork from the oven and tent loosely with foil. Allow to rest for 20-30 minutes before shredding.
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Using two forks, shred and pull the pork apart into bite-size pieces.
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Stir in your favorite barbecue sauce or serve it on the side.
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Pile the tender, juicy pulled pork onto buns for epic sandwiches!
Tips for Maximum Tenderness
Follow these tips for guaranteed tender, fall-apart pork shoulder every time:
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Always let the meat rest before shredding. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness. Temperature is more reliable than cook times.
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Add liquid like broth or apple juice to the roasting pan to keep the pork moist.
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Wrap the pork shoulder in foil if it starts to get too brown.
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Mix shredded pork with cooking liquids to keep it juicy.
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Cook beyond 200°F for pork tacos or carnitas to crisp the meat further.
Estimated Oven Roasting Times
While a 7lb pork shoulder takes about 4.5 hours, cooking times will vary slightly depending on size. Here are estimated roasting times for different pork shoulder weights:
- 3 lbs: 2 hours
- 5 lbs: 3 hours
- 7 lbs: 4.5 hours
- 9 lbs: 6 hours
- 12 lbs: 8 hours
Remember that these oven roasting times are simply guidelines. Always monitor temperature and adjust cook time as needed. Pork shoulder can be stubborn!
Serving Suggestions
Tender oven-roasted pork shoulder is extremely versatile. Here are just some of the many ways to serve it:
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Pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw
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Carnitas tacos with lime, cilantro, and onion
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Barbecue nachos topped with pulled pork
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Pizza with pulled pork and barbecue sauce
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Pork and vegetable soup or chili
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Breakfast burritos with eggs, cheese, and pork
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Pork salad with greens, berries, feta, and balsamic dressing
A flavorful and inexpensive cut like pork shoulder makes it easy to get creative. Now get to roasting and make some delicious meals!
Oven Roasted Pork Shoulder
A pork shoulder is a large cut of meat, but it usually sells at a very reasonable price.
This bargain always draws me in at the grocery store!
You can oven-roast this cut, or you can smoke it, or grill it.
Typically, my husband smokes a pork shoulder or a pork butt on his Green Egg.
But, I don’t want to have to rely on him to cook this all the time. I wanted to create my own recipe that I could use in our oven.
While you may think that I could rock this recipe because I’m a registered dietitian (and don’t all professional nutritionists cook?!), I don’t intuitively know how to cook meats.
Which means, I had to do a little research.
This article tells you how to cook a pork shoulder shoulder, how long it should be cooked, and some of my favorite side dishes to go with a roasted pork shoulder.
My Favorite Side Dishes for Pork Shoulder Recipes
Along with the Brussels sprouts, I made my own applesauce with apples I already had and apples that were on their way O U. T. (that’s one of the best things you can do with old apples!).
I cooked the apples on the stovetop over a simmering heat, using the recipe from Dinnertime Survival Guide by Sally over at Real Mom Nutrition.
The applesauce was a perfect pairing for the roasted pork and Brussels sprouts.
I know you are chomping at the bit for this recipe!
My creative spin on this picnic roast worked.
Oh, did it work.
Important to note: Before you begin, you will heat the oven to a high temperature. The shoulder will be cooked at a high temperature for a short time, and then the heat will be lowered and turned on for hours. Feel free to use a meat thermometer to gauge your cooking process and progress.
The detailed directions are below.
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 7 pound pork shoulder?
How long does it take to cook a 7 lb pork roast at 350?
How long to cook a 8 lb pork shoulder at 300 degrees?
What is the best temperature to cook a pork shoulder?
How long do you cook a pork shoulder in the oven?
An easy, slow roasted pork shoulder cooked in the oven over low heat. Place pork shoulder on a rack in a roasting pan. Mix garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub all over the pork shoulder. Roast, uncovered, at 450 F for 45 minutes.
How long do you cook a pork shoulder in a crock pot?
Unwrap the pork shoulder and place in the roasting pan. Insert the in-oven thermometer into the center of the roast. Be careful that the thermometer isn’t touching the bone. Roast at 450°F for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F for about an hour per pound.
What is the best way to cook a pork shoulder roast?
We talked about the best way to cook a pork shoulder roast: basically just letting it slow cook in the oven for ages at a very low temperature so that it practically falls apart. Chris told me that long ago a chef has explained to him that meat likes to be cooked at around the temperature that it reached when it is done.
How long do you cook a 7 pound pork roast?
You should double the marinade if you have a roast that weighs 10 pounds or more. 7 pound pork roast: Start with the heat at 450° for 20 minutes, then turn the heat down to 250°F and continue to cook for 7 to 8 1/2 hours until the middle of the roast registers 180°F.