Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder

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

A succulent pork shoulder roast infused with garlic and olive oil, oven-roasted to tender perfection with a golden crust. This american-inspired pork ready in about 225 minutes pairs pork shoulder, bone-in, garlic cloves, minced, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 8, 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.

★ 4.3 (12 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 210 min Serves 8 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). In a small bowl, mix 8 minced garlic cloves with 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme to create a paste.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 pounds of bone-in pork shoulder with paper towels, then rub the garlic-olive oil paste all over the pork, making sure to cover all surfaces evenly.
  3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan and roast in preheated oven for 3 to 3 1/2 hours, until the internal temperature reaches 190°F and the exterior is golden brown and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from oven and tent loosely with foil; let rest for 20 minutes before slicing to retain juices and ensure tenderness.
  5. Step 5: Slice and serve with pan juices or your choice of sides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder take to make?

Total time is about 225 minutes (15 min prep + 210 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 Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder?

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 Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder?

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 Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Oven-Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Pork Shoulder?

American 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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