Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pineapple and Tiki Spice Rub
Tender slow-roasted pork shoulder infused with a bold tiki-inspired spice blend and sweet pineapple, perfect for pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. This caribbean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 320 minutes pairs pork shoulder (bone-in), ground allspice, ground cinnamon 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 (bone-in)
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp ground allspice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground ginger, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the tiki spice rub.
- Step 2: Pat dry 3 lbs pork shoulder and rub evenly with 2 tbsp vegetable oil and the spice mixture, pressing the rub into all surfaces.
- Step 3: Place pork shoulder in a roasting pan and pour 1/2 cup pineapple juice around it. Scatter 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 cup fresh pineapple chunks around the pork.
- Step 4: Cover the pan tightly with foil and roast for 4-5 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
- Step 5: Remove foil, increase oven to 425°F, and roast uncovered for an additional 15 minutes to develop a caramelized crust. Let rest 20 minutes before shredding and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pineapple and Tiki Spice Rub take to make?
Total time is about 320 minutes (20 min prep + 300 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 Pineapple and Tiki 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 pork shoulder (bone-in) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pineapple and Tiki 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 Pineapple and Tiki Spice Rub for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Pineapple and Tiki Spice Rub?
Caribbean slow cooker 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.
