The Best Crispy Baked Pork Shoulder
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
8 hrs
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Additional Time
20 mins
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Total Time
8 hrs 30 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
71 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
The Best Crispy Baked Pork Shoulder
Description
The Best Crispy Baked Pork Shoulder highlights a large cut slow-roasted gently at 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Seasoned liberally with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, adobo seasoning, and smoked paprika, the pork cooks on a rack so heat circulates evenly. After roughly eight hours, the meat becomes tender enough to shred by hand. Then, the pork is returned to a blistering 500-degree oven to crisp the skin to golden, crunchy perfection, with rotation for even browning. Resting it afterward lets juices redistribute for moist meat.
The spice mix adds a smoky and slightly spicy background that complements the succulent pork, while the long roasting time breaks down connective tissue for softness. This method produces a well-balanced crust-to-meat ratio with minimal intervention. It pairs well with classic barbecue sides or can be used in sandwiches, tacos, or salads requiring flavorful pulled pork.
The recipe allows resting under foil for up to two hours if preparing ahead, making it flexible for event timing. Shredded pork can be served immediately after resting to maintain optimal texture and moisture.
Ingredients
- 1 pork shoulder 8-10 pounds
- 1 tsp black pepper fresh cracked
- 1 tsp salt sea salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- With the oven rack in the middle of the oven, preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet or roasting pan with foil.
- Set a wire cooling rack or roasting rack over foil lined baking sheet or roasting pan.
- Season pork liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder, adobo seasonings, and paprika.
- Place seasoned pork on rack and place in oven.
- Roast until you can easily pull meat by gently twisting with a fork when inserted into pork shoulder, about 8 hours.
- Remove pork from oven and tent with foil, at least for 20 minutes but up to two hours if prepping ahead of a party.
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- Let oven fully preheat.
- Add pork to oven and let skin puff and get crispy - rotate every five minutes to make sure you get an even blister around the pork shoulder.
- When pork is crunchy around all sides, after about 20 minutes, remove from oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 20 minutes.
- Pick/shred/pull pork meat and serve immediately.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to six days in the refrigerator, or up to four months in the freezer.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 71 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 71kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Cholesterol | 20mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 408mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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