Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Cajun Spice Rub

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

Juicy oven-roasted pork shoulder infused with a smoky Cajun spice rub, delivering a bold flavor perfect for a hearty meal. This southern american-inspired pork ready in about 225 minutes pairs pork shoulder, paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the Cajun spice rub.
2. Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, then generously coat with the Cajun spice rub, pressing it into the meat.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder fat side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Roast uncovered in the preheated oven for about 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F (90°C) and the meat is tender enough to pull apart easily.
4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let the pork rest for 20 minutes covered loosely with foil before slicing or shredding to serve.