How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder at 350

This is how long to cook pork shoulder 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.

How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder

Similar to beef roast shoulder, 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.

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.

Boneless Pork Shoulder Recipe

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.

in pressure cooker

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!

in slow cooker

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.

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.

FAQ

Other names for pork shoulder is “paleta de cerdo” or simply “paleta” in Spanish. 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

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.

At What Temperature Does it Shred Easily?

If you are planning to make pork for tamales 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 and shredded with two forks.