Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub
Succulent slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with a fragrant aged spice rub, delivering tender meat with a deeply developed crust. This american-inspired pork ready in about 375 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder, olive oil, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs, bone-in pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground black pepper, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp garlic powder to create the aged spice rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, then generously coat with the spice rub, pressing into the meat for full coverage.
- Step 3: Place the pork shoulder on a rack inside a roasting pan and roast in the preheated oven for 5-6 hours until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is fork-tender with a dark crust.
- Step 4: Remove from oven and tent with foil. Let rest for 20 minutes before slicing or pulling the meat apart for serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub?
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 bone-in pork shoulder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub?
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 Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub 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 Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Aged Spice Rub?
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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