Thanks for reading! I’ve been traveling for a month now, and Thanksgiving just snuck up on me! But don’t worry—I have three recipes coming your way in the next week. Here’s the first dish: this very tender and juicy pork shoulder roast. You can make it ahead of time and forget about it while you work on other holiday dishes. I’m serious.
Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork It’s full of collagen and fat, which breaks down into gelatin and bastes the meat as it cooks, keeping it incredibly moist and tender When cooked low and slow, the pork shoulder shreds easily, making it perfect for pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, burritos, and more. But exactly how long does it take to cook a pork shoulder at 275°F?
Why Cook Pork Shoulder at 275°F?
Cooking pork shoulder low and slow is the key to succulent, fall-apart meat. Most recipes call for cooking the pork shoulder between 225°F and 300°F. 275°F hits the sweet spot – it’s high enough to render fat and break down connective tissue at a faster rate than lower temperatures but low enough to avoid drying out the meat.
The temperature helps transform tough collagen into gelatin, keeping the pork shoulder incredibly moist. And the fat renders slowly, continuously basting the meat. 275°F gives you the benefits of low and slow cooking without the lengthy cook times of ultra-low oven temperatures.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Pork Shoulder at 275°F?
Cooking times vary depending on the size of the pork shoulder, but in general, you can expect it to take about 1 1/2 hours per pound at 275°F.
For example:
- A 3 lb pork shoulder will take around 4 1/2 hours.
- A 5 lb pork shoulder will take around 7 1/2 hours.
- An 8 lb pork shoulder will take around 12 hours.
The cooking time also depends on whether the pork shoulder is bone-in or boneless. Bone-in pork shoulders take a little longer since the bone acts as an insulator.
How to Tell When the Pork Shoulder is Done
The best way to tell when pork shoulder is done is to use an instant read thermometer. You’ll want the internal temperature to reach 195°F to 205°F for pull-apart tender meat. The meat around the bone may register up to 210°F.
At this temperature, the collagen will have fully broken down, the meat will be fall-apart tender, and the fat will have fully rendered. If you take the pork shoulder out too early, it will be tough and dry instead of succulent and juicy.
Can You Cook Pork Shoulder Faster at a Higher Temperature?
It is possible to cook pork shoulder at a higher temperature like 300°F or 325°F to speed up the cooking time. However, temperatures above 300°F risk drying out the meat.
Cooking at a high temperature doesn’t allow enough time for the collagen to fully break down and the fat to fully render. While the cooking time will be shorter, the pork shoulder won’t be as moist or tender.
275°F really is the ideal temperature for pork shoulder – high enough for reasonable cooking times but low enough for tender, juicy meat. The long cook time is worth the wait!
Step-By-Step Guide for Cooking Pork Shoulder at 275°F
Follow these simple steps for foolproof pork shoulder every time:
1. Prep the Pork Shoulder
- For even cooking, trim off any excess fat. Leave about a 1/4 inch.
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels.
- Generously season all over with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or rub. Getting seasoning under the skin helps flavor the meat.
- For extra moisture and flavor, you can brine the pork shoulder overnight.
2. Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 275°F. Be sure to give it plenty of time to fully come to temperature.
3. Choose Your Cooking Method
You can cook the pork shoulder a few different ways:
- In a roasting pan or dutch oven: Good for collecting drippings for making a sauce or gravy.
- On a wire rack set in a sheet pan: Allows air flow under the meat for better browning.
- Directly on oven racks: Best for all-around browning.
4. Cook the Pork Shoulder
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Place pork shoulder fat side up in your cooking vessel.
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For drip pans or wire racks, add about 1 cup of liquid such as broth, cider, or water to help prevent burning and steam the meat.
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Cover tightly with foil to trap moisture.
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Cook for about 1 1/2 hours per pound, until it reaches 195-205°F internally.
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Check periodically and add more liquid to the pan if needed to prevent burning.
5. Rest and Serve
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Once the pork shoulder is fully cooked, let it rest, tented with foil, for at least 30 minutes.
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The meat will continue to cook a bit more as it rests.
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After resting, the pork should shred easily with forks or your fingers.
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Serve the juicy pulled pork on buns or over rice, baked potatoes, or tacos!
The long cook time is worth the reward of incredibly moist, fall-apart pork shoulder. Cooking at 275°F gives you the benefits of low and slow cooking without the extremely lengthy cook times. For delicious pulled pork, cook your pork shoulder in a 275°F oven for roughly 1 1/2 hours per pound. Use a thermometer to ensure it reaches 195-205°F internally for perfect results every time.
A Little About Roasting Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder is one of the best cuts when it comes to pork. A 3 or 4lb roast will feed about 5 people, so if you want a holiday meal that doesn’t leave a lot of leftovers, that’s the right size. The marbled fat makes the meat really juicy, and as it breaks down, the sauce pretty much makes itself. Just 165 degrees is all it takes to get a pork shoulder that is cooked all the way through.
The ideal temperature for a pork shoulder is between 195 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want one that is so tender that you can pull it apart with your fingers, the meat should be barely sliced. The pork fat breaks down at this temperature, and the meat gets tender. This is the perfect temperature for a fall-apart roast. If you prefer a tender, but sliceable pork, I suggest 180-185 degrees internally.
Besides the tender juiciness of this pork roast, the next best thing is the rub. Of course the pork is rubbed with a brown sugar spice blend that penetrates the meat and gives flavor throughout. The real key is the Duke’s Brown Sugar Bourbon mustard and garlic rub that gets slathered on. It’s a sweet, tangy, garlicky flavor bomb that coats the outside and becomes such a great first bite when you’re eating it. Trust me, you will definitely want to add this to your pork roast!
After you’ve rubbed it on, all that’s left is to cook it slowly and lowly! A 3-pound roast cooks at 275 degrees for 4 to 5 hours, giving you time to do other things to get ready for your holiday meal! Here are my last few tips so you can save this recipe and use it right away!
Tips For Making this Brown Sugar Pork Roast
I told you above that the best ways to cook are slowly and use Duke’s Mustard to coat the outside. If you want to make a good pork roast, no matter what size you want, read these tips!
- For every pound of meat, use 3/4 to 1 teaspoon of Diamond Crystal Kosher salt. If you want less salt, use 3/4 of a teaspoon. For good flavor, use 1 teaspoon. If using table salt, reduce that by half.
- If you can, add garlic and spices to the food. This will make the roast taste better and keep it moist in the middle.
- If you leave your roast to bake uncovered, it should get a nice crust. If you want it to brown even more, turn the oven back up to 450 degrees and leave it there for 15 minutes, or until it reaches the color you want!
- For me, this doesn’t need any sauce or gravy. But if you like sauce, try my bourbon roasted cherry BBQ sauce, keto BBQ sauce, or apple cider BBQ sauce.
That’s all I have for ya’ll today. If you make this, be sure to tag me using #lizeeangel or join the NikNacks and follow me!. You can find me on tiktok , pinterest, instagram, facebook, twitter and youtube!
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
How long do you cook a pork shoulder at 275?
How long to cook pork roast per pound at 275 degrees?
How long to cook 8 lb pork shoulder at 250 degrees?
How long to cook a 8 lb pork shoulder at 300 degrees?
How long do you cook a pork shoulder in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 500°F. Roast the pork shoulder uncovered in a clean roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet until the skin is crisped and puffy, approximately 10 to 15 minutes, rotating the pan every 3 to 5 minutes (cover any parts that are getting overly browned with foil). Cut or pull the pork into hunks and serve immediately.
How do you cook a pork shoulder in the fridge?
Whisk some sugar and salt together and rub the mixture all over the pork shoulder. Allow the meat to sit in the refrigerator, uncovered, for at least 24 hours, and up to 72. Before cooking, rub black pepper all over the pork shoulder and allow it to sit out at room temperature for one hour.
How long do you cook a pork shoulder in a crock pot?
This recipe calls for roasting a pork shoulder in an oven, not cooking it in a crock pot. If you’re looking for a crock pot pulled pork recipe, the cooking time is typically around 8 hours on low heat.
How long does it take to cook pork tenderloin?
The pork shoulder is roasted in the oven for 30-45 minutes. After this time, carefully remove the pan from the oven, rub the pork with the herb paste mixture (the pork will be hot, so you could use a spoon to rub it on), and carefully place the sliced onion under the pork.