Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

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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 shoulder’s 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

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 tbsp of fat (such as pan drippings, bacon grease, or butter). Next, add 2 tbsp 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
Keyword: crown roast, Holiday Roast, Pork, Slow-Cooker
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 281kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp garlic chopped, plus 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
  • 2 tbsp 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 1/2-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!

Video

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!

161 Comments

  • 5 stars
    I was looking for a savory pork roast recipe, and this was AMAZING! It is going directly into my regular repertoire.

    • Woo hoo!!!! That’s so awesome to hear, Brooke!! We are so thrilled to hear you had such huge success with the roasted pork shoulder!! Thank you so much for letting us know and for the GREAT review!! We appreciate that so very much!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • Making this fabulous roast tonight! (Second time). Serving it with Brussels sprouts and a cheesy grits casserole. The next day I’ll soak some leftover slices in George’s BBQ sauce, make some Lexington, NC red slaw, and have a big ‘ole BBQ sandwich!
    You guys are my fav❤️

    • Oh, man, Jane!! You just made our mouths water reading your comment! All sounds heavenly! We are so happy you enjoy the pork shoulder recipe and we appreciate you letting us know!! Lots of love!! Kris & Wesley

  • Okay, I made this tonight, but….in the crock pot. Followed your ingredients, used a 3 lb. pork shoulder. Added 3 cups of chicken broth, and let it take a nice long bath on low for almost 7 hours….OMGosh….out of this world.
    Enough for leftovers with mash potatoes and fresh string beans !
    Thanks !
    Linda

    • Woo hoo, Linda!! That’s the best news we’re heard all day! So glad you had such success with the pork shoulder!! Leftovers are even better, we think!! Thank you so much for letting us know and please stay in touch! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      • Hey Kris – Please tell me and everybody else reading this that you and Wesley are doing ok there in New York during this difficult time.

  • 5 stars
    Made this tonight. Normally pork should goes in the smoker all day, but decided to try something different this time! Oh so glad I did! It was DELICIOUS! Served it with the pan gravy, garlic egg noodles, and green bean casserole! One heck of a quarantine meal! Thank you for the recipe!

  • 5 stars
    This was so good and made the house smell fantastic!!! Only change I made was I added Greek seasoning to the roast and then followed the directions. So simple so good! We were so hungry I didn’t even make the gravy. Thanks for the great recipe!!!

    • Hey Carrie!! YES!!! Love the addition of Greek seasoning! That must have been so yummy!! Thank you so much for letting us know about your success with the pork shoulder recipe and especially for the GREAT review. That really means the world to us. xoxo Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Best pork shoulder I have ever made. It was so juicy, perfectly pink and so tender. Thank you so much. 3 of us ate a 4lb roast, that’s how good it was. I will definitely be making this again for my family. Another top favorite meal. It’s hard to keep a good figure when meals like this turn out so damn good.

    • That is so amazing to hear, Lana! Nothing makes us happier than this! So very thrilled you enjoyed this recipe and thank you so so so much for letting us know and the great review!! All the very best! Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Tried this today. And it’s so tasty. So delicious
    Had to cook the pork for 5 hours 10lbs pork shoulder Bone-In. I thought it is going to be dry. But I was wrong. It is totally perfectly cooked as I wanted. No pink in the middle. But it is so juicy and tender. Thank you very much for this recipe. I will definitely make this again.

    • Hi Rodelia! So thrilled you had success with the pork shoulder! Sounds like you did everything perfectly! And thank you so much for letting us know. We truly appreciate that so very much! Stay in touch!! Best, Kris & Wesley

    • I would like to lose 10 pounds in the next week so I was wondering if I could borrow some of your raw pork contaminated salt to put on my food. I literally had to stop watching after the third time you grabbed the pork with the same hand you were grabbing the salt.

      • 5 stars
        I dunno D, that might be a tall order to ask for. I have a special plastic container in my pantry for what I call “raw” spices that I can use freely without needing to worry about whether or not I have to have clean hands to use them. I cherish those spice bottles! I bet these guys too …. all seasoned up and broken in properly. As long as I am only touching stuff that is going to be cooked to safe temp or thoroughly washed anyway, I can go back and forth at will. Or more seriously ….. wash them when I am done with the cook with everything else that’s contaminated. Plus it costs more money to ship hazardous material, so best just to make your own, and good luck losing that 10 pounds! Try my method …. drink as much tequila as you can for 7 days straight. That’s good for 6 pounds at least, and then go run 40 miles on the last day to get the other 4 pounds off.

      • Kris – I’m surprised at that. I always pictured you guys more as wine and scotch drinkers. Maybe some gin to change things up a bit. Not tequila though!!!!

      • Cobia.

        You truly *do* rock. Way to use humor to gently smack down some know it all who has too much time on their hands to learn anything. Would rather jump online and point out what s/he thinks is wrong with everybody else.

        BTW My pork shoulder is IN the oven as we speak. Using Plaguecation to work at my kitchen window while watching the Stellar Jay clean my house of bugs, Aussie at feet, blazing fire in fireplace (still wet and cold in Portland, Or), smelling pork butt melting into pure nirvana. Not a bad way to endure the chaos.

        To everyone out there: Stay strong, stay positive, stay safe.

  • Hello there. I have to ask. I have 10 lbs pork shoulder. How long should I cook in the oven? I also prefer fully cooked than slightly pick inside.
    Thank you.

    • So sorry for the delayed response, Rodelia! You want to cook the roast for about 15 to 20 minutes per pound. So, a little over 3 hours. We recommend using a meat thermometer to gauge the internal temp, which should reach 145 to 150°F for a perfectly cooked loin. Hope this helps!!

  • 5 stars
    By mistake I bought an 8lb. pork butt roast. As soon as I realized it, I went to Pinterest and looked for a recipe that I thought would make a tender meal. OMG! This is hands down one of the best recipes I have ever made. My husband raved! Our guest raved! Thank you!! I may never buy another beef roast again…

    • Hi Sara!! YES!!! That makes our hearts swell with joy to hear this. Sometimes little mistakes can lead to the best victories! So glad we could help out in our HUGE success!! And thank you (and your hubby) for the great review. That truly means the world to us. Please stay in touch! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Becky! So sorry about that! And thank you for bringing that to our attention. After melting the 2 tbsp of fat (i.e., butter), add 2 tbsp of flour, and stir until incorporated and then cook for a couple minutes. Then whisk in stock and salt and pepper, whisking all the time. That should do the trick! We’ve updated the recipe to reflect this. Thanks again and let us know how it turns out and what you think. All the best! Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Crystal! Sure, in a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of butter (or leftover bacon grease, if you have any). To that, add 2 tbsp of flour, and mix to incorporate, cook for about 2 minutes. Then, carefully add the pan drippings into the flour mixture, whisking constantly. If not enough drippings, add some chicken stock. After several minutes, it should start to thicken. Add salt and pepper, to taste. If it doesn’t thicken enough, you can make a corn starch slurry by mixing 2 tbsp of corn starch with 2 tbsp of cold water. Mix until combined and then add to the gravy and stir until thickened. Hope this helps and let us know how it turns out and what you think!

  • Oh my gosh! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I used the herbs from my garden, so fresh. My son, that most often does not like meat, loved this roast! Beautiful.

    • Hi Angeline!! YES!!! We are so thrilled to hear you had success with the pork should roast and even better that your son loved it, too!! Major WIN!! And thank you so very much for letting us know. That truly means the world to us. Please stay in touch!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    This is a great demonstration on how to cook a shoulder pork roast. It is pretty much the way I have done it for years and have had great success.
    My question is; you say 155 degrees internal temp in the written recipe and 145 in the video (going to 155 while resting) and you also say to 145 degrees in your “expert tip”. I am perfectly happy with 145 degrees, but my girlfriend read the recipe and insists on taking it up to 155 degrees because she is … how can I say it …. old fashioned about pork needing to be cooked into hell and back (IMHO). Would you please clarify these two different temperatures you have about the temperature of the interior of the pork after cooking???
    And also, do you have any comment about cooking meats at high altitudes? We are at 7500 ft. here in Colorado. Really high right now … and lots of altitude here also. 🙂

    • Hi Cobia!! Sorry for the delayed response! Thank you so much for your great comment!! Regarding the temperature, I’ll clarify in the EXPERT TIP just to make sure. We typically cook the roast until its between 145 and 155. It will increase in temperature (somewhat) as it rests, right out of the oven. Now days, the concern is nearly non-existent within the food industry for pork that is cooked with a slightly pink interior. This is due to greatly improved regulation and legislation regarding the handling and feeding of hogs during. I had a professor at the Culinary Institute of American in NY explain this in great detail. 145 to 155° F interior will produce a juicy, tender, slightly pink roast for you and your rightly concerned girlfriends!! I’m not an expert at cooking roasts at that high of an altitude, but you should still be fine. My suggestion would be to invest in a instant-read thermometer (they’re pretty in-expensive), and once you’ve reached the right internal temp, you should be good. The high altitude may make the roast need a longer in the oven to cook fully. Let us know how it turns out and what you think!! We LOVE Colorado, by the way!! We were just recently in Boulder for a Loon family reunion!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  • 5 stars
    Served with mashed potatoes, creamed butternut squash, creamed onions and applesauce-my favorite meal! Hands down! Love it!

    • That’s awesome to hear, Sheila!! So glad you had success with the roast and thank you so much for letting us know and giving the recipe such a great rating!! You are the BEST!! Stay in touch! Kris & Wesley

    • Hi Robert! Thanks so much for the 5-star rating and for letting us know. So very happy to hear that you had success with the slow roasted pork shoulder! We love that dish so much. And you are 100% right…the BEST left-overs!! Thanks again, all the best, Kris & Wesley

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