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Home » Recipe Index » Entrees

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

Published: Dec 27, 2018 · Modified: Mar 12, 2025 by Kris Longwell · This post may contain affiliate links

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Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder is such a gorgeous and equally delicious roast.

It is so easy to prepare and always turns out extremely flavorful and tender!

It is absolutely heavenly with a wonderful pan gravy. Just look at this roast!

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder on a platter with a side of gravy

SLOW ROASTED PORK SHOULDER IS EASY TO PREPARE

This roast is glorious when served during the holidays, but we love it so much, we make it year-round.

Watch us show you how easy it is to prepare this amazing Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder!

Pork shoulders are easily found in the meat department of most well-stocked supermarkets. Although we love to get our from our favorite location butcher.  You can always get excellent quality roasts when ordering from D’Artagnan Foods.

OTHER INCREDIBLE ROAST RECIPES TO TRY

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  • Incredible Italian Pot Roast
  • Roast Rack of Lamb
  • Herb-Stuffed Pork Loin
  • Pork Tenderloin with Cranberry Reductions
  • Roasted Whole Chicken

A knife and fork cutting a slow roasted pork shoulder

EXPERT TIP: You’ll want to use an instant-read thermometer to ensure you reach the perfect temperature for this roast.  The ideal internal temperature is 145°F.

We love the roast to be just a little pink on the inside. There is absolutely no health risk for a little pinkness, and the flavor is incredible.

Oh, you had us at: Roasted Pork Shoulder.

Sliced slow roasted pork shoulder on a platter with gravy

HOW TO MAKE PAN GRAVY

Of course gravy is a must with this incredible slow roasted pork shoulder.

Make a simple roux in a large skillet by melting 2 tablespoon of fat (such as pan drippings, bacon grease, or butter). Next, add 2 tablespoon of flour and stir until incorporated.  Cook for a couple minutes.  To the roux, whisk in 2 cups chicken stock with salt and pepper, stir until thickened.  Now you’ve got a perfect pan gravy for this roast.

Divine!

Pan gravy pouring onto a slow roasted pork shoulder

BONE-IN ADDS MORE FLAVOR

We love getting a bone-in pork shoulder. Talk about flavor!

We save the bone and then use it when we’re making our incredible New Orleans Red Beans and Rice!

I mean, come on…just look at this beauty!

Sliced slow roasted pork shoulder with gravy on top.

We just can’t rave enough about this Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder.

And you can’t believe how easy it is to prepare.

This is truly a dish you will keep in your rotation for one of those meals that is so impressive, and not much trouble at all. Mmmmmm.

Gravy being poured onto slow roasted pork shoulder

Ready to impress? Go for it and make this amazing roast. You and your loved ones will be so happy that you did.

And when you make it, be sure to take a picture, post on Instagram, and tag @howtofeedaloon and #howtofeedaloon!

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder on a platter with knife and fork

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

This Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder is so flavorful and is really quite simple. Slow cook until juicy. Garlic and a couple herbs make this roast sing! Use the left-over bone for stocks or when cooking up red beans and rice!
4.91 from 53 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 2 hours hours 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 281kcal
Author: Kris Longwell

Video

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon garlic chopped, plus 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped
  • 2 tablespoon fresh sage chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 lb pork butt shoulder

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.
  • Liberally sprinkle salt and pepper all over the roast. 
  • In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, and sage.
  • Using a small brush, or your hands, spread the mixture all over the pork butt.
  • Make slits in the meat, about ½-inch wide and deep. Insert the garlic slices into the slits.
  • Set the meat on a rack in a roasting pan.
  • Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the roast reads 145°F, about 25 minutes per pound.  
  • Remove the roast from the oven and let stand for 15 minutes.
  • Slice and serve!

Notes

Be sure to select a pork butt, which is actually from the shoulder.  Bone-in adds even more flavor.
Because oven temperatures vary, as well as the size of the roast, we recommend using an instant read meat thermometer to ensure doneness. The internal temperature should be 145°F.
Left-overs can stay refrigerated for 5 to 7 days.  The sliced roast can also be frozen for up to 2 months. 

Nutrition

Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 118mg | Potassium: 627mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Take a Picture!Mention @HowToFeedALoon or tag #HowToFeedALoon!

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Comments

  1. Rosa Russenberger says

    July 17, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    I like white wine cooked in pork meat. do you think pouring some white wine over the roast the last hour or so would be a good idea?

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      July 18, 2019 at 4:39 pm

      Hi Rosa! Absolutely!! That would be wonderful and add such a depth of flavor. Let us know if you make it with the wine and how it turns out. Sounds delicious!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  2. Haley says

    June 30, 2019 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    I’m not picky with many foods. I’m someone with a motto that I’ll try anything twice, three times if necessary, and almost everything I’ll eat no matter how it’s cooked…except for pork. If it’s dry, like most slow cooker shredded pork recipes are, I just spend the day eating cole slaw and potato salad. So, when I bought a pork shoulder on sale only to realize most recipes I was finding was slow cooker shredded pork, I knew I had to take a different route.

    Thus, I found this recipe. It took about half a day to get everything going (complete with buying myself a new thermometer since mine apparently disappeared when I moved) but it was all worth it. This recipe was absolutely delicious! The herb ratio was just right, and the blend matched perfectly to suit the cut of meat it was on. The recipe is also pretty idiot proof – I let mine cook a whole extra hour because the juices were still running red despite reaching temp in the center (I’ve now learned that this can happen sometimes with larger pieces of meat – the more you know~) but that surprisingly didn’t dry it out. I sent a good chunk of it home with my mom since I certainly couldn’t eat 6lbs of pork by myself, then ate on it for the rest of the week, and it was still as delicious as the first day.

    Thank you so much for this awesome recipe~ I may not make this again any time soon just because a pork shoulder is a large portion of meat for one person, but next time I’m having friends over or cooking for an event I’m definitely coming back to this recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      July 02, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      Hi Haley!! We hear you about dry shredded pork…that’s never good and so common!! We are THRILLED to hear you enjoyed our slow roasted pork shoulder. It’s one of our all-time favorites, too!! You are right, though…it doest make a healthy portion of pork!! It’s great for serving guests for a dinner party or a holiday gathering. Thanks so much for letting us and please stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  3. Doug Robinson says

    June 11, 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Can I do this in a crock pot?

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      June 11, 2019 at 4:16 pm

      Hi Doug, yes,this can be done in a crock pot. We’d suggest finish it off under a broiler for just a couple minutes to crisp the top. But, keep an eye on it…wouldn’t want burn the roast after slow cooking all day! Let us know if you try it in the slow cooker and how it turns out! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  4. Terry says

    June 03, 2019 at 2:55 am

    5 stars
    This was so, so, so good!
    Also, gluten-free without the gravy but that could probably be made with corn starch!?
    You are my favorite cooking site. Love you guys & your recipes!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      June 07, 2019 at 9:45 am

      Hi Terry!! So sorry for the delayed response. Woo hoo!! We are thrilled that you loved the slow roasted pork. It’s one of our all-time favorites, too. So happy you had success with it. And thank you for letting us know!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  5. Terry says

    June 03, 2019 at 2:53 am

    5 stars
    This was so, so, so good!
    Also, gluten-free without the gravy but that could probably be made with corn starch!
    You are my favorite cooking site. Love you guys & your recipes!

    Reply
  6. Cheryl Pounds says

    May 28, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    5 stars
    Just made this for the first time. AWESOME!!! I cooked it in the slow cooker cuz it’s not today. Having an instant read thermometer made it easy to get just right. Made the pan gravy while it rested and it was so good! Pinned it as soon as I finished eating!! I cook a lot of pork roast and the flavor of this beat all the other recipes I’ve tried.

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      June 01, 2019 at 10:10 am

      Hi Cheryl!!! AWESOME!!!!! Slow cooker works beautifully and we are so thrilled you love it! This pork shoulder is one of our all-time favs and so glad you enjoyed it, too. And, of course…the sauce!!!! Thank you so much for letting us know!!! We appreciate that so very much!! Stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  7. Kate says

    April 28, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a great pork shoulder recipe and this is it! Plus it was absolutely fabulous and entertaining watching the “how-to” video! I love how you both interact with each other and are so dang cute! Cannot believe I’ve never found your site before but I’ve got a new go-to for recipe ideas and inspiration!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      April 30, 2019 at 4:10 pm

      Kate!!! You just made us SO VERY HAPPY!!!! We are thrilled you found us and we found YOU!!!! AND…we are over-the-moon thrilled you enjoyed the roasted pork shoulder!! We really love it a lot, too, and enjoy serving it to family and friends. Please stay in touch!!!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  8. Jon says

    April 13, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Excited to make this. Got a deal on a pork should blade roast, but of course I had no recipe. Thank you so much for mentioning 25 minutes per pound, especially when it’s not 4lb as per the recipe.

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      April 13, 2019 at 1:31 pm

      Hey Jon!! You are going to LOVE it!! Let us know how it turns out!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  9. Tracy Lynn says

    April 07, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    5 stars
    Making for the second time! Love it!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      April 08, 2019 at 2:25 pm

      Awesome!! Hope you enjoy it this go around, too! We have a hunch you will!! xo

      Reply
  10. Tracy says

    April 07, 2019 at 8:10 pm

    5 stars
    I love this roast. Made it for the first time about a month ago. Making it again tonight! I do though cover with foil after it has browned well to get a huge amount of drippings for my homemade gravy. About the last 45 mins I cover it with foil for juices and remove the foil take out drippings and put back in oven while I make the gravy.
    Definitely a keeper! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      April 08, 2019 at 2:28 pm

      Hi Tracy!! Sounds wonderful, and great idea about covering with foil. Thank you for letting us know and please do stay in touch!! xo Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  11. Steven M Bohne says

    April 02, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    Ok, I did it your way. Wife wasn’t initially excited, every pork roast we’ve tried has been dry. Followed your instructions, only change was cutting sage & rosemary by half. Best pork we’ve ever had. Totally moist and delicious. My only bitch is that it didn’t yield enough drippings to make a roux, and since I miscalculated the time it would take, I had to skip it. Next time, though.

    After trying it, my wife looked at me and said, “You’re amazing.” Well, as if she didn’t already know, cha!

    Saving the bone to try with your red beans & rice recipe.

    Reply
  12. Steven Bohne says

    March 28, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    It says slow cooker, but you cook it in the oven??

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      March 29, 2019 at 12:07 pm

      Hi Steven, sorry if the keyword ‘Slow Cooker’ was confusing. This is ‘slow cooked’ in the oven, but you can certainly cook this in a slow cooker, too. If you’d like us to provide you with those instructions, we’d be happy to. We’ve tried both ways, and really love the oven version. The skin get nice and crispy, more so than the slow cooker. But both are pretty amazing. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        February 13, 2020 at 10:02 am

        Hello my question is, what if you are cooking convection verses baking. How does that effect cooking time. Mary

      • Kris Longwell says

        February 13, 2020 at 2:41 pm

        Hi Mary! When cooking in your convection oven, simply reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and cook for the amount of time given for how many pounds the roast is. Or, reduce the cook time by 25% from what you would have baked in a normal oven. If this doesn’t make sense, let us know, and we’ll do a better job of clarifying! Best, Kris & Wesley

  13. Ashlie Arnold says

    February 13, 2019 at 8:26 am

    How do u make this yellow gravy

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      February 19, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Hi Ashlie…sorry for the delayed response. Make a roux using grease (or butter) and then add equal parts flour (2 tbsp and 2 tbsp). Then add the strained liquid and whisk until thickened…about 5 to 8 minutes. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  14. Slava says

    January 09, 2019 at 5:50 am

    5 stars
    It looks great! Can I cook it in an instant pot?

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      January 10, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      Hi there!! I’ve never done this roast in our Instant Pot…I have no doubt it could be done successfully, you’d obviously have to adjust the timing. Plus, the skin won’t get crispy, but it will still be delicious. We’ll look into and let you know!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  15. Dawn says

    January 06, 2019 at 12:17 pm

    This is exactly how our family has been making pork shoulder for generations. It was spot on! I hope I’m not being condescending when I say you guys are so flipping cute!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      January 10, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      Dawn!! You’re not being condescending at all!! Are you kidding…we’re a couple of hams and love it!! Truly, it means the world to us that you enjoy what we do, and especially that you love this pork roast. It’s so good, right?? 🙂 Stay in touch!! xoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  16. Toni says

    January 01, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    5 stars
    Happy New Year 2019! I stumbled upon your recipe for the slow roasted pork shoulder during my search for a new recipe to start off our New Year. I really can’t tell you how much my family enjoyed this park roast. The combination of garlic, oil, and herbs created the most delicious crust. Nice and crispy with a fall apart, juicy pork roast. I did not make the pan gravy, though, as I served baked sweet
    potatoes. It’s our family tradition to always have pork roast and hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day, and this did not disappoint. To put it simply, it was heavenly. Thanks so much for this deliciously simple recipe!

    Reply
    • krislongwell says

      January 05, 2019 at 5:46 pm

      Toni!! So very sorry for the delayed response, but your message makes us so very happy!! We absolutely love that pork roast and we couldn’t be more thrilled that you and your family ejoyed it. Thank you so much for letting us know. That means the world to us. Happy New Year and we truly hope you and your loved ones have a brilliant year!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
      • lynda says

        January 08, 2019 at 6:06 pm

        I’m confused with your math, 25 minutes a pound ,4 lb roast…. isn’t cook time 4 hours and 20 minutes

      • krislongwell says

        January 10, 2019 at 4:10 pm

        Hi Lynda! So sorry for that error, and thank you for bringing it to our attention. A 4 lb. roast should take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours, in all. Recipe has been updated. Hope you try it and hope you like it as much as we do!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      • Jennelle says

        March 19, 2019 at 6:24 pm

        I have a 10 pound shoulder. Is it best 2 cut in half to cook in batches or just calculate time to be over 4 hours?

      • krislongwell says

        March 20, 2019 at 3:45 pm

        HI Jannelle!! You could really go either way. Adjusting the time to 4 hours for the full 10 lb roast should be perfect. But, you can certainly have success with doing the recipe in two batches. Let us know what you decide to do and how it turns out. We LOVE this roast and hope you do, too!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

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Welcome!

Kris & Wesley (The Loon) live for fun, food, and fabulousness. "How to Feed a Loon" is a celebration of just that. Come join us on this joyous culinary ride.

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