A marinated pork shoulder or butt roast recipe that is slow-cooked and very tender. It tastes great on its own and can be used in a lot of different ways. One of my go-to dishes for casual crowd entertaining.
A Boston butt pork roast, which is also called a Boston butt or pork shoulder, is a cheap and tasty cut of meat that’s great for feeding a lot of people. It gets very moist, tender, and full of flavor when slowly roasted in the oven.
Cooking a Boston butt roast takes some time, but the hands-off process and amazing results make it worth the wait Follow this simple step-by-step guide to learn how to cook a Boston butt roast in the oven for fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone meat.
Ingredients
- 3-6 lb bone-in or boneless Boston butt pork roast
- Olive oil
- 4 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 4-6 garlic cloves, sliced in half lengthwise
Selecting and Preparing the Roast
When purchasing a Boston butt roast, allow 1/2 to 1 pound of meat per person. Boneless roasts will cook slightly faster than bone-in.
Look for a roast with ample marbling which will baste the meat from the inside and make it flavorful and moist. Trim off any large pockets of hard fat.
The day before cooking, place the roast on a rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, rosemary, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over the pork, coating all sides.
Make small slits in the roast using a paring knife and insert the garlic slices. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
How to Cook a Boston Butt Roast in the Oven
Step 1: Remove Roast from Fridge
While the oven is heating up, take the roast out of the fridge and let it warm up a bit. This helps it cook more evenly.
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 3: Place Pork in Pan
Place the pork roast fat side up in a roasting pan or large ovenproof Dutch oven. The fat cap helps baste the meat as it cooks.
Step 4: Roast at Low Temp
Cook the pork uncovered at 350°F for about 1 hour per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 185°F. For a 5 lb roast, this is around 4-5 hours.
Step 5: Rest and Slice
When it’s done, take the roast out of the oven, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. The temperature will rise slightly as it rests. After resting, carve into slices and serve.
Note: Pork is technically safe to eat at 145°F but pork shoulder needs to reach at least 185°F to become tender and shredable.
Oven Roast Times
Use these general time guidelines depending on the size of your pork roast:
- 3 lb roast: About 3 hours
- 4 lb roast: About 4 hours
- 5 lb roast: About 5 hours
- 6 lb roast: About 6 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to check for doneness rather than relying solely on time. Ovens can vary.
Roast Pork Tips and Tricks
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Browning the outside of the roast first helps develop flavor. Preheat oven to 450°F and roast for 30 minutes before dropping temp.
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Add chicken or beef stock to the roasting pan to baste the meat as it cooks.
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Flip the roast fat side down for the last hour to brown the bottom if needed.
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Letting the roast rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute. Never skip this step!
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Add flavors like chopped onions, brined peppers, citrus slices or fresh herbs to the pan.
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For pulled pork, cook until 205°F when the meat will shred easily with a fork.
How to Tell When Pork Roast is Done
Here are some ways to test for doneness:
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Use an instant read meat thermometer. Insert into the thickest part without touching bone.
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Meat should be very tender when pierced with a fork.
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Check for an internal temperature of 185°F for slicing or 205°F for pulled pork.
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The pork will have pulled back from the ends of any bones.
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Juices should run clear when meat is pierced, not pink.
Serving and Using Leftovers
A Boston butt roast tastes amazing when freshly sliced and served drizzled with pan juices. It also makes incredible leftovers for dishes like:
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Pork sandwiches – Slice or shred pork and pile high on rolls.
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Tacos or burritos – Dice or shred and use as filling.
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Omelets or breakfast hash – Dice and add to egg dishes.
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Pork fried rice – Shred pork and stir into rice with veggies.
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Pork pasta dishes like spaghetti Bolognese.
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Hearty pork soups or stews.
Leftover pulled pork keeps well in the fridge for 4-5 days or in the freezer for 4-6 months.
Side Dishes for Boston Butt Roast
Boston butt pairs well with a variety of sides:
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Warm rolls or biscuits
- Coleslaw, potato salad or pasta salad
- Sauteed vegetables like green beans
- Roasted root vegetables like carrots or parsnips
- Fresh green salad
- Baked beans, cornbread or mac and cheese
A pork roast makes a convenient low effort main course. By cooking it low and slow, you’ll have fall-off-the-bone tender meat that makes memorable meals and leftovers. Give this easy Boston butt roast recipe a try for your next family dinner or celebration.
Best Pork Shoulder Roast
My friend Chris and I were talking about great meals to serve guests. We talked about the usual suspects, like lasagna, chili, and tenderloins. Then he told me that his favorite dish to serve guests was a pork butt or shoulder. We talked about the best way to cook a pork shoulder roast, which is to let it cook slowly in the oven at a low temperature for a long time, until it falls apart.
Slow Cooking Pork in Oven
You can slow cook pork shoulder in the oven with or without bones, which gives you a lot of options, which is great when you’re having people over. At this low temperature, the roast would still be fine after an extra hour or two of cooking. So you can literally plunk it on the table whenever everyone is ready to eat.
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
Which is the best cooking method for a pork shoulder?