How To Feed A Loon

  • About Us
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Asian
    • Breads and Doughs
    • Cajun / Creole / Louisiana
    • Breakfast / Brunch
    • Comfort Food
    • Delectable Desserts
    • Entrees / Mains
    • Instant Pot
    • Italian
    • Pizza
    • Rubs, Spices and Sauces
    • Soups & Salads
    • Sides
    • Seafood
    • Southern
    • Mexican / Tex-Mex / Cal-Mex
    • Thanksgiving
    • Vegetarian
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Web Stories
  • Work With Us
  • Contact
  • **Premium Access**
  • Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Grilling
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipes
  • About Us
  • Work With Us
  • Premium
×
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

13292 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Bluesky
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

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

  • Royal Crown Roast with Stuffing
  • 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!

More Entrees / Mains

  • A skillet filled with one-pot chili mac with a layer of melted cheddar cheese over the the surface with colorful checkered napkins near the pan and two glasses of iced tea nearby.
    One-Pot Chili Mac
  • A sheet pan filled with a row of beef enchiladas with red sauce and topped with chopped tomatoes and lettuce.
    Beef Enchiladas with Red Sauce
  • A large, deep skillet filled with Bucatini all’Amatriciana with a block of cheese nearby.
    Bucatini all’Amatriciana
  • A serving of pork chop agrodolce with mushrooms on a white dinner plate with a glass of white wine next to it.
    Pork Chop Agrodolce with Mushrooms

Comments

  1. SaLo says

    March 21, 2021 at 2:53 pm

    Used this recipe 4-5x now and it comes out perfect everytime! YUM!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      March 22, 2021 at 3:22 pm

      Hi there!! That is so awesome to hear! We are thrilled you are loving our slow roasted pork shoulder recipe! And thanks for letting us know! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  2. janice says

    February 11, 2021 at 5:14 pm

    do you put the lid on while it cooks????? ready to go in…smells amazing….

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      February 11, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      Hi Janice! No need to cover! Let us know how it turns out and what you think of the roast. We hope you love it!!!

      Reply
      • Nikki says

        July 25, 2021 at 10:53 am

        Do I need to adjust time or temp if I add potatoes and carrots to the pot with the roast?

      • Kris Longwell says

        July 25, 2021 at 12:22 pm

        Hi Nikki! No, the carrots and potatoes should cook just fine. Maybe toss them in a little olive oil first. They should cook beautifully. Let us know how they turn out!

  3. Bessie Fielding says

    December 30, 2020 at 9:14 am

    Hi Chris,
    should the rind be removed before rubbing the shoulder with the rub.
    A Prosperous New year to you

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 30, 2020 at 4:51 pm

      Hi Bessie, if there is a rind, I would trim it off. If it’s a layer of fat, just trim it down a little. Hope this helps! Let us know how it turns out. And Happy New Year!!

      Reply
  4. Kim says

    December 23, 2020 at 10:16 am

    5 stars
    This sounds delicious and easy! I am going to try this recipe for Christmas dinner. Is there a way to do this recipe with a sous vide?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 23, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Kim, you could definitely sous vide the pork shoulder if you have the time – it would take 18-24 hours. And, you would want to finish it off under the broiler to give it the crispy exterior. Merry Christmas!

      Reply
  5. Diane says

    December 19, 2020 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    Hi again guys! Still haven’t made it to weight watchers yet
    I made this again last night and used the boneless pork butt instead since it was on sale. I have to tell you that it was just as delicious as the bone in and was much easier to slice. The pan drippings plus butter make the greatest gravy on earth. I am convinced now from your recipe that I prefer pork roast over beef. And from the previous comments, there is no such thing as too much sliced garlic in those sweet little slits. Garlic and butter make everything better. Thanks again for another winner in my book. Merry Christmas to you both. Be well and stay safe.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 21, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      Hi Diane!! So sorry for the delayed response!!! LOL…well, there’s always next year for weight watchers! It’s the holidays!!!! And we can’t be more thrilled to hear how much you are loving the roasted pork! And sounds like you are mastering it! Boneless is great, too, and we love that you are making such incredible gravy to go with it!! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! And thank you so much for letting us know and for the fabulous review. We appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts!! xoxo Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  6. Alex says

    December 07, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    Made this exactly as the recipe is written. It was phenomenal. I used a butt that was about 3.6lbs and roasted for 90 minutes. After 45 minutes, I tossed a bunch of oiled up carrots and parsnips alongside for the final 45 minutes. Then made the recommended gravy with the drippings.

    Also, the leftovers were like a gift that kept on giving. Day 1: tossed a few slices from the pink-ish center into a hot bowl of beef ramen with a splash of soy sauce and mirin and some scallions. Day two: warmed up some slices in the microwave, slathered in BBQ sauce (I use Carolina Treet), and ate on a bun with pickled veggies.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 07, 2020 at 3:05 pm

      Okay, you officially just made us starving! That ALL sounds nothing short of amazing! We are so excited to hear that you had such great success with the pork shoulder and then made such amazing left-over dishes with it! That’s FANTASTIC!! Thank you for letting us know and for the GREAT review!!! We appreciate that so much! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  7. Mark Loehr says

    December 05, 2020 at 11:45 pm

    5 stars
    Guys, this was absolutely phenomenal. Super easy, I added the rest, thyme and parsley. I cooked to 151º and rested for 15-20. It was spectacular, exactly the right temp and doneness. Husband was SO happy! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 06, 2020 at 1:29 pm

      Mark!! You just made our day!! We are over-the-moon happy that you and your husband love the pork shoulder! It’s definitely one of our favorite roasts of all time! Thanks so much for letting us know and for the fantastic review. That truly means the world to us!! Happy Holidays!! Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  8. Rory says

    December 05, 2020 at 11:18 am

    5 stars
    Hello again, Kris & Wesley! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We had two celebrations at our place …one small gathering of 5 on Thursday and then another 5 on Saturday! Made this amazing pork roast on Saturday and it was so dee-licious! Used a 6.75 lb boneless pork butt, rubbed all over with lots and lots of those fresh herbs, floured the bottom of the roasting pan first (my Mom’s secret to making great gravy) and placed roast right in floured pan (no rack), into oven and never looked back. Your time of 25 min per lb at 350 was perfect! Could anything be easier?? Kitchen smelled wonderful. Once again, you guys are the bomb! Served with buttered noodles, green bean casserole, sauerkraut w/ caraway seeds and applesauce. Think this will be our Christmas dinner, too! Hope you guys are both well. Stay safe, healthy and happy. Bye for now, Rory (& Ken)

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      December 06, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      Rory and Ken!! You guys are making us so happy!!! Sounds like you had an absolutely spectacular (and off-the-charts delicious) Thanksgiving! We are THRILLED everything turned out so perfectly!! We appreciate you taking the time to always let us know including your wonderful support!! We hope you and your loved ones have a beautiful and safe holiday season. All the very best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  9. So-Young says

    November 17, 2020 at 4:54 am

    5 stars
    Roasted pork, my favorite recipe so far. Thanks for this one! 😀

    Reply
  10. Barbara says

    November 16, 2020 at 8:46 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness!!! I made this recipe exactly as written, used a bone in pork shoulder.
    This was slap your momma good! I will be making this again ❤️ People don’t change a thing, it’s perfect. Good job guys yum.
    P.S. I have a oven probe, set it and forget it.

    Reply
  11. Helios says

    November 10, 2020 at 1:03 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe, I’ve used it 3 times now and each time has been a resounding success!

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      November 11, 2020 at 11:24 am

      Hi there! That is so awesome to hear! So glad you’ve had such great success with the roasted pork shoulder! It’s one of our favorites, too!! And thank you so much for letting us know and for the wonderful review! We truly appreciate that so so much!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  12. Shannon says

    November 01, 2020 at 10:02 am

    I like pork picnic better than pork butt. It’s just a thing from my childhood. I like it sliced and not shredded. Suggestions on how to cook or would it be the same?

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      November 02, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Hi Shannon! I’d recommend cook it following the same instructions, but just slice, don’t shred. If you have an instant-read thermometer, you can keep an eye on the internal temp, so you’ll know exactly it reaches 145°F. I hope this helps and let us know if you make it and how it turns out!
      Totally understand sticking with your childhood happy memories, we do the exact same thing!! Best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  13. Mtn Mike says

    November 01, 2020 at 1:08 am

    4 stars
    Great recipe except for the cooking time of 25 minutes/lb. Cooked a 2 1/4 boneless pork shoulder and it took almost 1 1/2 hours. Yes, my oven has an oven thermometer. Also, recipe says cook to 155 and notes say 145, what’s the story with the different done temps?

    Reply
  14. Jane says

    August 02, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    LOVE the recipe! I used rosemary infused olive oil, sage, herb de Provence as suggested by another post, lots of garlic and seasoned salt, Tony’s for the salt and pepper.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      August 04, 2020 at 10:38 am

      Hi Jane!! YUM!!! Sounds absolutely heavenly! So glad you had such great success with the roasted pork shoulder! And thanks for letting us know! All the best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
  15. Wikima says

    July 08, 2020 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was absolutely delicious! My husband watched me apply the seasoning blend and said that, “that looks like an awful lot of garlic”. He commented again from the, (to me amazing smell), while in the oven. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as too much garlic!
    I didn’t have any sage, & my rosemary was dried, but I also used something from my spice rack labeled Herbes De Provence. I haven’t “googled it” to see what exactly that is yet, but it smells really good in the jar & seemed like it would go well with the rosemary. It did!
    Then he tried it and told me it’s definitely a “keeper” recipe! I love how easy it is too.
    I did cook it just a tad longer than you guys said because I still mentally have a hard time with pink pork. Still very tender & juicy!

    Reply
    • Wikima says

      July 08, 2020 at 2:06 pm

      5 stars
      I wanted to clarify that the amount of garlic was just right, and in no way overpowering. My husband agrees.

      Reply
      • Kris Longwell says

        July 10, 2020 at 11:38 am

        Thank you so much!! So so glad that you and your husband (Woo hoo!) loved the roasted pork shoulder! We’re thrilled you had such success and thank you so much for letting us know and for the wonderful review! That means the world to us!! Stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley

  16. Nami says

    June 16, 2020 at 12:14 am

    5 stars
    This was amazing! So juicy and easy. I had a 3 pound boneless shoulder and it took much longer than I thought it would. It’s probably my oven’s fault. The fat cap was so crispy and the meat was so delicious! I will definitely make this again.

    Reply
    • Kris Longwell says

      June 16, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Hi Nami! Sounds like you prepared the pork shoulder perfectly!! And we are so glad you enjoyed the recipe. And thanks for letting us know and for the great review! We appreciate that so very much!! All the very best, Kris & Wesley

      Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »
4.91 from 53 votes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




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.

More about us

Memorial Day Cookout

  • Three grilled chicken leg quarters on an oval platter surround by grilled lemon halves and fresh herbs.
    Best Grilled Chicken

  • A straight-on view of grilled vegetables with Italian dressing all resting on a large bamboo oval platter.
    Grilled Vegetables with Italian Dressing

  • Black and bleu burger on a white plate
    Rockin’ Black and Bleu Burger

  • Lamb lollipops in a white bowl
    Lamb Lollipops

  • A grilled whole beer-can chicken sitting on a cutting board next to a carving knife and a bowl of BBQ sauce
    Grilled Beer-Can Chicken with BBQ Sauce

  • A straight-on view of a grilled balsamic glazed pork chop that is sitting next to a pile of roasted vegetables with another plate of the same in the background.
    Grilled Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

Popular Recipes

  • best-ever chicken salad recipe
    Best-Ever Chicken Salad

  • A white soup filled with roasted tomato basil soup next to sliced grilled cheese sandwiches.
    Roasted Tomato Basil Soup

  • Mahi Mahi tacos on a wooden table in a taco holder
    Amazing Mahi Mahi Tacos

  • A lemon wedge being squeezed onto a platter of chicken francese
    Chicken Francese

  • Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits recipe
    Southern Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

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

Footer

↑ back to top

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About Us
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 How to Feed a Loon • This website contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a product link, we may receive a commission in return. How To Feed a Loon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

13292 shares

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.