Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Citrus and Cumin Rub

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

Tender, fall-apart pork shoulder seasoned with a fragrant citrus and cumin rub, slow roasted to develop deep, authentic flavors perfect for family dinners. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 255 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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

• 4 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tsp orange zest
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice

The roasting pan we’d use for this → Best Roasting Pans for 2026: Racks, Handles & Sizes for the Holiday Bird

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp orange zest, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the rub.
2. Step 2: Rub 2 tbsp olive oil all over the 4 lbs pork shoulder, then evenly coat it with the spice mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
3. Step 3: Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan and roast uncovered for 4 hours, basting every hour with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice, until the meat is fork-tender and the edges begin to caramelize.
4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before shredding or slicing to serve.