Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Coffee and Chile Rub
A deeply flavored pork shoulder slow-roasted with a robust dry rub of ground coffee and chile powder, yielding tender meat with a smoky, slightly spicy crust. This Latin American-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 375 minutes, pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), ground coffee, chile powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 pork shoulder (bone-in)
- 2 tbsp ground coffee
- 1 tbsp chile powder
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp ground coffee, 1 tbsp chile powder, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create the dry rub.
- Step 3: Pat dry 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder with paper towels and rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the surface.
- Step 4: Generously massage the coffee-chile dry rub all over the pork shoulder, ensuring full coverage.
- Step 5: Place the pork shoulder on a roasting rack in a roasting pan, fat side up.
- Step 6: Roast in the preheated oven for 5-6 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is fork-tender.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and tent loosely with foil; let rest for 20 minutes before slicing or pulling.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Coffee and Chile 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 Coffee and Chile 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 pork shoulder (bone-in) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Coffee and Chile 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 Coffee and Chile 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 Coffee and Chile Rub?
Latin 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.
