Pork shoulder can slow-roasted for a delicious roast with crackling or cooked until tender enough to make pulled pork. It can also diced and use in casseroles and other hot pots.
A whole shoulder of pork refers to a large piece of pork that includes most of the forequarter. So It will not be cut into smaller pieces unless you specifically ask the butchers or you need to feed more than 20 people.
Because the shoulder is made of many muscles and fat. Slow cooking is the best way to cook it. So Pork shoulder is also a good cut for pork mince and is use in many sausage recipes.
Buying pork shoulder
Roasting requires a cylinder-shaped piece of the boned shoulder. If you like crackling, wrap it in the skin and tie it at regular intervals. Avoid irregularly shaped or tapered joints for even cooking and serving.
You can pull pork from a piece of skinless meat. So It doesn’t need to be perfectly shape. American pork butt is a cut take from the top of the shoulder.
Top tips
- Per person, you will need approximately 300g of meat
- Crackling is only possible if the skin around the joint is not remove.
- Salting your skin the day before will make the crackling crisp.
- As the pork is cooke at a low temperature. You shouldn’t need to cover it.
- Our timing will ensure that the pork is cooke to your liking, but it should still be tender.
- If you have one, the pork can be roaste on a rack to achieve even cooking.
Roast pork shoulder recipe
- Serves 6 Prep 5 minutes Cook 3 hours
1 tbsp sunflower oils
Salt the skin up to 24 hours before roasting and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Season the pork right before roasting if you don’t have enough time.
The oven should be heate to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. So The oil will be applie to the pork skin. You can also place the pork directly in the oven if you don’t have a rack.
Bake for 30 minutes or until skin crackles, blisters, and turns brown.
Reduce heat to 180C/160C fan/gas 4, and roast for approximately 2 hours or until meat is tender when tested using a sharp knife.
If it hasn’t cracked enough, turn the oven back to 220C/200C fan/gas 7, and make sure it is not burning.
Top 3 Pork Shoulder Recipes
Roast pork & apples-in-one Roast with Apples and Gravy. For a quick family Sunday lunch, add potatoes and greens. The preparation time is only five minutes, and the pork leftovers can used to make a tasty soup or stir fry.
Pulled pork
Pulled pork makes a great way to feed a crowd. You don’t even have to use cutlery. So This recipe uses minimal ingredients to make a delicious dish. Serve this dish at a summer BBQ with lots of coleslaw and some juices for French dipping.
Vindaloo Pork
This spicy crockpot features diced pork shoulder. It can be prepare ahead to get the best flavor. For a fragrant dinner, marinate the pork in traditional Indian spices. For a milder taste, use fewer chilies.
