Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Spiced Citrus Rub

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

Juicy pork shoulder slow-roasted with a fragrant rub of citrus zest and warm spices, resulting in tender, flavorful meat perfect for slicing or shredding. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 375 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 360 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp orange zest, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to make the rub.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 lbs pork shoulder and rub all over with 2 tbsp olive oil, then massage the citrus-spice rub evenly onto the surface.
  3. Step 3: Place pork shoulder on a roasting rack in a baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 5-6 hours, basting every 90 minutes with pan juices, until the internal temperature reaches 195°F and meat is fork-tender.
  4. Step 4: Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve with pan juices spooned over the top for extra flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Spiced Citrus 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 Spiced Citrus 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 from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Spiced Citrus 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 Spiced Citrus 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 Spiced Citrus 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes