Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-roasted pork shoulder rubbed with Creole spices and finished with a garlic butter glaze for a tender, flavorful main dish. This creole-inspired pork ready in about 215 minutes pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), Creole seasoning, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 Creole cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat dry 4 lbs pork shoulder and rub evenly with 3 tbsp Creole seasoning, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides for 3-4 minutes until deeply browned and charred at edges.
  3. Step 3: Place skillet with pork in the preheated oven and roast uncovered for 3 hours, basting every hour with pan juices to keep moist.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 1 tbsp fresh thyme, cooking gently for 3 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: During the last 15 minutes of roasting, brush the garlic butter mixture over the pork shoulder to create a flavorful glaze.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven and rest pork for 15 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 215 minutes (20 min prep + 195 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder (bone-in) from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Charred Creole-Spiced Pork Shoulder with Garlic Butter?

Creole pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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