Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Soil-Inspired Spice Rub

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A succulent slow-roasted pork shoulder seasoned with an earthy spice rub evocative of rich, perked land soil. This bbq & smoked-inspired pork ready in about 320 minutes pairs bone-in pork shoulder, smoked paprika, 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 300 min Serves 8 BBQ & Smoked cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp ground coriander, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, and 1 tsp onion powder to create the spice rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 lbs bone-in pork shoulder with paper towels. Rub 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the pork, then generously massage the spice rub all over the surface, coating thoroughly.
  3. Step 3: Place pork shoulder fat-side up on a roasting rack inside a roasting pan. Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 4 to 5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and the meat is tender and pulls apart easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove the pork from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes covered loosely with foil before shredding or slicing. The deep, earthy spices evoke the nourishing qualities of well-perked soil enhancing the meat’s natural richness.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Soil-Inspired 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 Soil-Inspired 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 Soil-Inspired 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 Soil-Inspired 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 Soil-Inspired Spice Rub?

BBQ & Smoked 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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