This is how long to cook pork shoulder at 350 degrees F to tender perfection. Baked in the oven, moist slices, high protein dinner idea. If you loved our pork shank recipe you are going to go crazy over this cut in the oven too.
You have have bought a Costco pork shoulder and wondering “what the heck do I do with this?” We have directions for how to cook pork shoulder perfectly here. You can use our pork dry rub on the outside or just simple seasonings if you like. Here’s the step by step. (affiliate links present)
Table of Contents
- How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder in Oven at 250
- Pork Shoulder at 350
- Dutch Oven Pork Shoulder
- How to Cook Boneless Pork Shoulder
- Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder
- Pork Shoulder in Oven
- How long to Smoke Pork Shoulder at 225
- Internal Pork Shoulder Temp
- Shredded Pork in Oven
- How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder at 350 Recipe
How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder in Oven at 250
You will need to account for 90 minutes per pound for this really low temperature. We prefer 350 which takes approximately 50 minutes per pound. There will be slight variations depending on it’s thickness, altitude, and ovens will vary slightly as well house to house.
Whether I use a pork shoulder rub or not depends on how I want to serve this. Sliced served with simple side dishes I would just use the simple seasonings listed below. If I am planning to make pulled pork sliders I will typically add more since I am going to shred or chop it up when done with a sauce.
Pork Shoulder at 350
Pork shoulder brine is great if you have the time to soak beforehand. You can do this in a large pot for a few hours or even overnight. You will want to keep it in a cool place while this is being done to prevent bacteria growth. In the oven a roasting pan, large casserole dish or Dutch Oven works well. The latter will have a lid so you don’t have to use any foil.
Dutch Oven Pork Shoulder
If you don’t have the time to bake the whole thing, you can cube into bite size pieces into pork bites much faster on the stove.
Typically this is kept whole, sliced or shredded when done. When it comes to cooking a pig, the longer it cooks the more tender it will become. Remember this when testing. If you feel it is still a bit tough, give it more time.
How to Cook Boneless Pork Shoulder
We are using a 2 pound piece of pork here. Ours is boneless which is much easier to slice when done but you can find them bone-in as well. Even if you are not a fan of eating fat once it is cooked and ready to serve, leave it on for the cooking process. Whether you cook as Instant Pot pork shoulder or this way, it adds to the flavor and tenderness of the meat so don’t trim first! We used;
- 2 lb boneless pork shoulder is ideal
- this cut of pork shoulder can have a bone but boneless pork shoulder roast cooks more evenly
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
To use this cut in a Crockpot low and slow all day you should use our boneless slow cooker pork shoulder recipe that turns out just as melt in your mouth perfect. Either way it is handy to have a thermometer handy to make sure the internal temperature of 145 is achieved before removing from the heat source.
Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder
There are slight variations depending on the cut, but there isn’t a huge difference between them all. Just like how long to cook pork roast in oven at 375 the biggest difference is thickness and whether it is bone-in or boneless.
When choosing between pork shoulder and pork butt, also known as Boston butt, it’s worth noting that the upper part pork shoulder typically has more connective tissue, while pork butt tends to have more marbling. However, they are similar enough that they can usually be used interchangeably in recipes without significant differences in the final result.
Not if done correctly, and covered for part of the time. We will show you how to cook pork shoulder at 350 in oven right here so it is melt in your mouth tender and delicious.
Pork Shoulder in Oven
Pork shoulder in Spanish is In Spanish, pork shoulder is commonly referred to as “paleta de cerdo” or simply “paleta.” These terms are used to describe the cut of meat from the front shoulder of the pig, similar to the English term “pork shoulder.” If you’re looking for recipes or asking for this cut of meat in a Spanish-speaking context
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Mix salt and spices in a bowl.
- Other spices and herbs can be added if desired.
- Rub the pork shoulder on all sides. If desired, the skin can be cut off (if any), but leaving it on makes the meat more moist and tender. Set inside the baking dish, cover with foil.
- Place the dish in the oven. Bake for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until browned as much as you’d like on the outside and thickest part reaches 145 degrees F. A salad, vegetables, or rolls work well served with pork shoulder when done.
How long to Smoke Pork Shoulder at 225
You are looking at close to 6 – 9 hours for smoked pork roast with a dry rub depending on how large your piece is. Typically I will use a 4 – 6 pound piece or so so we have lots of leftovers because it is so good.
Internal Pork Shoulder Temp
The recommended internal temperature for cooking pork shoulder to ensure it is safe to eat and tender can vary depending on the desired level of doneness and the recipe being used. A general guideline for cooking this cut to a moist and tender state is to cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of around 145 F at a minimum – 205 F.
This higher temperature range, the connective tissues and collagen in the meat will break down, resulting in a tender and juicy texture. Keep in mind that pork shoulder is a forgiving cut of meat that benefits from low and slow cooking methods, such as braising or slow roasting.
The cooking time will depend on the size, thickness, cooking temperature, and the specific recipe being followed. It’s always best to use a reliable meat thermometer to check the internal temperature for accuracy.
Shredded Pork in Oven
Additionally, if you are planning to make shredded pork shoulder for pulled pork, you may want to cook it until it reaches a slightly higher internal temperature, around 205 degrees F or 96 degrees C or even a bit higher. This will ensure that the meat is tender enough to be easily pulled apart
How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder at 350
Equipment
- 1 9×13 pan
Ingredients
- 2 lb pork shoulder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Mix salt and spices in a bowl. Other spices and herbs can be added if desired.
- Rub the pork shoulder on all sides. If desired, the skin can be cut off (if any), but leaving it on makes the meat more moist and tender. Set inside the baking dish, cover with foil.
- Place the dish in the oven. Bake for 90 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until browned as much as you'd like on the outside and thickest part reaches 145 degrees F.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is such a helpful guide! Bookmarking this for the next time I cook a pork shoulder. So9 much easier to cook other sides at the same temperature this way!
Great tips. The pork came out juicy and delicious.
The meat came out so moist and flavorful, perfect for a high-protein dinner.
Made this recipe over the weekend and it was AMAZING! I will definitely make this again!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I always find meat kind of intimidating to cook. I cubed it and used the Dutch oven. It turned out super flavorful with the spice rub.