Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is a flavorful and versatile cut of meat that is perfect for slow cooking. With its rich flavor and tender texture, pork shoulder is a great choice for a variety of dishes, from classic pulled pork to hearty stews and roasts. If you’re looking for some delicious and easy recipe ideas for pork shoulder, you’ve come to the right place.
Pork shoulder is a relatively inexpensive cut of meat, making it a great value for your money. It is also a very forgiving cut of meat, so even if you’re not a seasoned cook, you can still achieve great results with pork shoulder.
Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is a classic recipe for pork shoulder. It is made by slow cooking the pork shoulder in a flavorful liquid until it is fall-off-the-bone tender. The pulled pork can then be served on sandwiches, tacos, or salads.
To make pulled pork, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pork shoulder (4-5 pounds)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
- Place the pork shoulder in a large roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the onion, garlic, barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the mixture over the pork shoulder.
- Cover the roasting pan and roast the pork shoulder for 6-8 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F (90 degrees C).
- Remove the pork shoulder from the oven and let it rest for 1 hour before pulling.
Braised Pork Shoulder
Braised pork shoulder is another delicious and easy way to cook this cut of meat. It is made by browning the pork shoulder in a skillet and then simmering it in a flavorful liquid until it is tender and fall-off-the-bone. The braised pork shoulder can then be served with mashed potatoes, rice, or vegetables.
To make braised pork shoulder, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pork shoulder (4-5 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup red wine
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
- Brown the pork shoulder on all sides in the skillet.
- Remove the pork shoulder from the skillet and place it in a large Dutch oven or braising pan.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Add the beef broth, red wine, brown sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it over the pork shoulder in the Dutch oven.
- Cover the Dutch oven and braise the pork shoulder in the oven for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F (90 degrees C).
- Remove the pork shoulder from the oven and let it rest for 1 hour before slicing and serving.
Roasted Pork Shoulder
Roasted pork shoulder is a simple and flavorful way to cook this cut of meat. It is made by roasting the pork shoulder in the oven until it is cooked through and the skin is crispy. The roasted pork shoulder can then be served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or gravy.
To make roasted pork shoulder, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 pork shoulder (4-5 pounds)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
- Rub the pork shoulder with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan.
- Add the onion and garlic to the roasting pan.
- In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, white wine, brown sugar, salt, and pepper
- Pour the mixture over the pork shoulder.
- Roast the pork shoulder for 3-4 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195 degrees F (90 degrees C).
- Remove the pork shoulder from the oven and let it rest for 1 hour before carving and serving.
These are just a few of the many delicious and easy recipe ideas for pork shoulder that you can try. With its rich flavor and tender texture, pork shoulder is a versatile cut of meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. So next time you’re looking for a tasty and budget-friendly meal, give pork shoulder a try.
No matter which way you choose to cook it, pork shoulder is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So get creative and experiment with different flavors and recipes. You’re sure to find a pork shoulder dish that you’ll love.