How Long To Cook Pork Shoulder In Oven At 250 Degrees?

Pork shoulder is one of my husband’s favorite dish. I always cook pork shoulder low and slow in the oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit so that it is exceptionally tender and infused with the flavorful marinade. In spite of its long cooking time, pork shoulder brings full satisfaction when served. The pork shoulder cook time is key for a good result. Now you may ask. How long to cook pork shoulder in oven at 250 degrees? In this post, I like to share the answer to this question as well as other tips for the best oven roasted pork shoulder.

How long to cook pork shoulder in oven at 250 degrees?

It takes 90 minutes to cook pork shoulder in oven at 250 degrees per pound. That is to say a 8 lb pork shoulder will cook for 12 hours. This combination of cook time and temperature will gives you a pork shoulder that is incredibly tender, succulent and uniformly cooked from outer edge to the center. To ensure you get the pork shoulder doneness right, use a meat thermometer to check its temperature near to the end of the cooking time. You want the shoulder to hit 145 degrees F in its thickest part before removing it from the oven.

What are other temp to bake pork shoulder in the oven?

You can also cook pork shoulder at 350 degrees in the oven. It will take a cooking time of 45 minutes per pound. To put it in practical terms, a 8 pound pork shoulder will bake for 6 hours. In the end you will get a tender meat surrounded by a brown and crispy skin. In case you are pushed for time and can’t wait for so long, you can cook the pork shoulder at 400 degrees for 35 minutes per pound. It works best with 3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder cuts because you want the meat to cook uniformly.

For whole shoulders which weigh around 10 lb, this temperature may cook them unevenly. That’s why it’s not a popular choice. Still, you can combine 400 degrees F with a lower temperature to slightly cut down the baking time and get a extra crispy crust. Here’s how to do it. Roast the pork shoulder at 350 degrees first for 35 minutes per pound. Then bake at 400 degrees for additional 30 minutes to obtain a crispy crust.

Which is the best cooking temperature for pork shoulder roast in oven?

While both 250 and 350 degrees options provide an evenly cooked and impressively tender pork shoulder, 350 degrees has an edge due to its shorter cooking time. This makes it a better temperature for baking this pork cut. Of course, if you have all the time in the world, you can roast the shoulder at 250 degrees and you will be rewarded with an extremely tender pork shoulder that melts in your mouth.

Recipe to cook pork shoulder in the oven

Here’s the recipe for cooking pork shoulder in the oven.

1. Since pork shoulder is a big cut of pork, it is necessary to marinate it before baking. Add garlic cloves, mustard, dry herbs, paprika, salt and pepper into a blender. Mash them in a paste. Transfer the paste into a bowl and mix it with olive oil and vinegar.
2. Rub the marinade into the pork shoulder. For best results, make several half an inch cuts in the meat and stuff them with the flavorful mixture. If some pockets remain empty, you can fill them with garlic cloves and rosemary springs. Wrap the shoulder in plastic wrap and toss it into the refrigerator for 6 hours.
3. Remove the shoulder from the refrigerator and let it cool down for 30 minutes. Take the wrap off and place the shoulder in the center of a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes per pound. After baking, let it rest aside for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.

How to cook pork shoulder in the oven fast?

Wrap pork shoulder with foil

You can wrap pork shoulder in tin foil to cut down its cooking time. Roast the shoulder covered for 2/3 of the bake time, then remove the foil and bake for additional 30 minutes to allow for a crust to form. Keep in mind that the foil will prevent a golden-brown and crunchy skin. You will get only a slightly crispy skin with this method.

Turn on convection

If you want to reduce the cook time but would like to obtain a thick crust at the same time, turn to the convection fan. The fan will help to circulate the hot air around the pork shoulder and helps it to  cook faster and more evenly.

What to serve with pork shoulder roast?

Since the pork shoulder has undergone marination before baking, it is already bursting with flavors. So you can keep the side dishes pretty simple and straightforward. Nobody has ever gone wrong serving grilled veggies on the side of pork roast. It’s a no-fail side dish that you must go for without hesitation. A starchy pilaf garnished with parmesan and aromatic herbs also look good next to the slices of pork shoulder. Just as other easy-to-make side dish such as broccoli salad, coleslaw, baked potato wedges, and macaroni and cheese.

FAQs on Cooking Pork Shoulder

What is the pork shoulder internal temperature when done?

The pork shoulder internal temp is to hit 145 degrees Fahrenheit for a fully cooked meat. This temperature has to be taken at the thickest part of the pork shoulder since it takes the longest to cook.

Is pork shoulder the same as pork butt?

Pork shoulder is not the same as pork butt. But they both comes from the same part of the pig. Both are cuts from the pig’s shoulder. Pork butt is the top part of the pig shoulder while pork shoulder is the bottom part of the pig shoulder. As this part of the muscles is heavily used by the pig, the meat is tough and fatty. For a tender meat, slow cooking the pork shoulder is the best option.

How much pork shoulder per person?

I usually prepare just 0.5 pounds of pork shoulder per person. This portion is pretty filling as a dish itself.

What is the difference between pork loin vs pork shoulder?

Pork loin is a strip of cut from the meat along the pig’s backbone while pork shoulder is a meat from the lower part of the pig’s shoulder. The pork loin is tender and has lower fat than the pork shoulder which is tougher and have more fats.

How long to cook a 10 pound pork shoulder in oven?

It will take 15 hours to cook a 10 pound pork shoulder in the oven at 250 degrees. This slow cooking method will completely break down the collagen in the meat and gives you a tender and succulent meat that melts in your mouth. Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the meat is completely cooked by inserting it in the thickest part of the shoulder.

How long to cook pork shoulder in oven at 350 degrees?

It takes 45 minutes to cook pork shoulder in oven at 350 degrees per pound. That is to say a 10 lb pork shoulder will take 7.5 hours to fully cooked.