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.
As an avid home cook and food blogger, I’m always on the hunt for new and unique cuts of meat to experiment with in the kitchen. Recently, I discovered pork buttons – also known as button bones or back rib tails. These small, circular bones pack a ton of flavor and are perfect for baking in the oven.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll walk you through every step of cooking juicy tender pork buttons in the oven. From choosing the right cut to seasoning techniques, roasting times and serving suggestions, you’ll gain the skills to turn out mouthwatering oven-baked pork buttons every time. Let’s get started!
What Are Pork Buttons?
For those unfamiliar, pork buttons are small, round bones located near the loin section of the pig. They are sometimes referred to as the “false ribs” since they do not attach to the sternum like true ribs.
Pork buttons consist of the last few vertebrae of the backbone encircled by thin strips of deliciously flavored meat You can expect anywhere from 4-6 buttons attached together in a rack
Don’t let their small size fool you – these bones are packed with big, bold pork flavor! When baked properly, they become meltingly tender with a crispy, caramelized exterior.
Choosing Your Pork Buttons
For the best results, look for high-quality, meaty pork loin button bones. I recommend choosing buttons that are:
- 1.5 to 2 lbs total
- Uniformly sized bones
- At least 1/2 inch thick meat around bones
- White fat marbling throughout meat
A trusted butcher is the best place to source properly trimmed buttons with excess fat and sinew removed. This helps promote even cooking.
Prepping the Buttons
Once you have your perfect pork buttons, it’s time to get them prepped for the oven:
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Rinse – Give them a quick rinse under cool water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
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Trim – Use a sharp knife to trim off any remaining bits of silver skin or excess fat.
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Season – Generously coat all sides with a homemade dry rub or store-bought pork seasoning.
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Refrigerate – Allow buttons to marinate in the seasoning for at least 1-2 hours (or up to overnight).
Pro tip: Apply seasoning under and around the meaty edges for maximum flavor!
Oven Roasting to Perfection
Now, we get to the fun part – baking these beauties until tender and caramelized. Here’s a simple, foolproof method:
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
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Arrange buttons on the rack without overcrowding. Meaty sides up.
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Roast for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and brush generously with your favorite BBQ sauce.
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Return to oven and roast for 40-50 minutes more. Brush with sauce every 10-15 minutes until browned and sticky.
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Check internal temp using a meat thermometer. Buttons are done at 145°F.
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Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
The low and slow roasting paired with repeated basting results in finger-lickin’ good pork buttons with a caramelized crust.
Mix Up the Flavor Profile
While classic BBQ flavors are always a crowd-pleaser, don’t be afraid to get creative with your seasoning and sauces when baking pork buttons.
Try a sweet and tangy Asian glaze, smoky chipotle lime marinade, or an herbed Dijon coating. The options are endless!
You can also vary the aromatics and veggies you roast the buttons with. Consider:
- Diced onions
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh ginger and scallions
- Lime and orange wedges
- Sprigs of rosemary or thyme
Mix and match to customize the flavors to your liking.
Serving Suggestions
Baked pork buttons make for a hearty, satisfying entree or appetizer depending on portion size. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them:
- Slider sandwiches with pickles and slaw
- Chopped on top of loaded baked potatoes
- In fried rice or pasta dishes
- As an appetizer with homemade BBQ sauce
- On nachos or tacos for a fun twist
- Over a fresh green salad for added protein
However you choose to serve them, these succulent oven-roasted buttons never disappoint! Leftovers also hold up great for quick lunches and meals later in the week.
Let’s Get Roasting!
Be sure to experiment with different rubs, glazes and aromatics to make the buttons your own. And if you have any secret tips for roasting pork buttons, make sure to drop them in the comments below! Now preheat that oven and let’s get roasting.
Fat Side Down or Up?
You can use bone-in pork shoulder instead of boneless pork shoulder because it will cook in about the same amount of time. Some cook faster than others. The directions say to put the fat side down in the pan so that the top can get a nice crust, but it doesn’t really matter. There is less crusty top when there is fat on top, which kind of bastes the pork as it cooks. Your call, you won’t go wrong.
The best part is that you have time to read, dance, sleep, clean your closet, or save kittens from trees.
Low and Slow and Flexible
The flexibility of this recipe bears repeating, because it’s one of the best things about this dish. It won’t hurt the roast to leave it in the very low oven for another hour, two, or even three. The pork is roasted without a lid, which gives it a great crusty brown outside and a fall-apart tender inside.
Turn the heat up to 450°F if you think it needs a little more browning or caramelization at the end. for 15 minutes before pulling it out of the oven. Let it rest for a while so the fibers can loosen up and the juices can re-group.
Also, if everything goes as planned, the meat will be so soft that the slices won’t stick together. That’s part of the appeal.
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
Is it better to cook a pork loin at 350 or 400?
How long do you cook pork in the oven at 350 degrees?
What are pork buttons?
Are pork button bones good?
How long do you cook pork button bones?
Place the seasoned pork button bones on a rack in a large baking pan, making sure that they are not touching each other. Cover the pan tightly with foil, shiny side out, to keep the moisture in. Bake the pork button bones in the oven for 2 1/2 hours until they are tender and fully cooked.
How long do you cook pork Button ribs in the oven?
Bake the pork button bones in the oven for 2 1/2 hours until they are tender and fully cooked. After baking, remove the pan from the oven and pour off any excess liquid. Brush BBQ sauce over all sides of the ribs. If you prefer a crispy exterior, you can finish the pork button bones on the grill or in the oven.
How do you cook Button ribs in the oven?
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place your seasoned button ribs in a roasting pan and add enough chicken stock just to cover the bottom of the pan. Roast for 1 hour. Once ribs come out of the oven you can either let them cool and cut into small pieces or cut them right away.
How to season pork button bones?
When it comes to seasoning your pork button bones, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the seasoning complements the natural flavor of the pork without overpowering it. A good pork seasoning should strike a balance between sweet, savory, and spicy flavors.