Pork shoulder is one of the most preferred cuts of pork because of its high-fat content and capability of giving extremely tender meat when slow-cooked. With the pork shoulder as the main ingredient, you can prepare savory and tender meals ranging from mouth-watering stews to mouth-watering roasts.
Here, we bring you 25 simple preparations of pork shoulder that prove just how delicious and assertive this beloved piece of meat can be.
1. Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Barbecue and game day food are always memorable, and nobody can deny the appeal of pulled pork sandwiches, especially when prepared in such a way. Start by seasoning a pork shoulder roast with paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper, optionally adding cayenne for heat.
Refrigerate overnight to enhance flavors. The next day, cook the roast in a slow cooker or Dutch oven with broth or water on low heat until tender and easily shredded.
Remove, shred the meat, and discard the bones and excess fat. Toast brioche or hamburger buns, then fill with pulled pork, barbecue sauce, and homemade coleslaw for crunch and freshness. Serve immediately for a satisfying sandwich.
2. Charred Tomato and Onion Pork Shoulder Tortillas
When cooking with pork shoulder, you can experiment with many ingredients to form a savory and filling dish. One such recipe is this dish, created by combining complementary ingredients. The recipe starts with a bone-in pork shoulder, seasoned and slow-cooked until tender.
Meanwhile, tomatoes and onions are charred to bring out their natural sweetness and smoky flavors. The tender pork is then shredded and combined with the charred vegetables. This mixture is served on warm tortillas, creating a delicious fusion of textures and flavors.
3. Pork Shoulder Ragu
This is a slow-cooked pasta sauce made with pork shoulder, vegetables, and aromatics, typically braised in white wine and milk. This rich and tender sauce is best served over pasta, such as pappardelle or fettuccine, and can be enjoyed as a comforting meal.
It can be prepared ahead of time and reheated, making it an excellent option for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Additionally, leftovers can be used to make delicious sandwiches or as a topping for other dishes.
When fresh apple cider is still in season, you can still cook this juicy apple cider-braised pork shoulder. This is so delicious that it simply falls off the bone, or perhaps melt-in-your-mouth delectable and savory-sweet at the same time.
The pork is typically browned and then cooked low and slow in a liquid mixture of apple cider, chicken stock, and spices. This pork shoulder dish can be served with pasta, mashed potatoes, or sandwiches and can be reheated to be served a second time.
5. Cream Braised Pork with Mustard and Broccolini
Milk-braised pork shoulder is delightful, but try to braise pork shoulder in cream with the generosity of mustard, cloves of garlic, and lemon peel to boot.
The pork shoulder is seared until golden brown, then braised slowly in a mixture of heavy cream, whole-grain mustard, garlic, and lemon peel, infusing it with rich flavors.
Broccolini is added towards the end of cooking to complement the dish with its slightly bitter and sweet flavors, balancing the creamy sauce. This hearty recipe with pork shoulder is perfectly served over polenta or alongside crusty bread, offering a satisfying and comforting meal.
Recipes with pork shoulder roast, such as this, are juicy, tender and so flavorful from a very aromatic rub made with Italian spices, herbs, and garlic, then slow braised with white wine and lots of onions.
As it roasts for several hours at a low temperature, the connective tissues break down, resulting in meat that easily shreds or slices. This recipe is ideal for hearty meals like pulled pork sandwiches and tacos, or served alongside roasted vegetables and potatoes.
7. Pork Shoulder Pho
Pork Shoulder Pho, sometimes known as Phở Heo (Pho with pork), is a variation of the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup, Pho. Instead of the usual beef, this version uses pork shoulder as the main protein.
The dish consists of a flavorful broth made from simmering pork bones with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and ginger. Thinly sliced pork shoulder is added to the hot broth, which cooks quickly due to its thinness.
The soup is served over rice noodles and garnished with fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, and bean sprouts, along with condiments like lime wedges and chili sauce on the side.
Smoked pulled pork, one of the recipes for pork shoulder, involves marinating the pork shoulder in a mixture of spices and then smoking it to tender perfection. This recipe is relatively simple to make, requiring only a few key ingredients and a smoker or a low-temperature oven.
The main ingredients include a pork shoulder, a homemade spice rub, apple cider or juice, and barbecue sauce. The pork is first marinated in a mixture of apple cider and spices, then smoked at a low temperature for several hours until it reaches tender perfection.
The pork is then shredded and tossed with barbecue sauce for added flavor.
9. Pork Shoulder Chili
This is a hearty dish, perfect for cold weather or gatherings. To prepare, cube and season boneless pork shoulder with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Brown in a pot, add onions, bell peppers, garlic, cook until soft. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, and kidney beans. Simmer 1.5-2 hours until pork is tender. Adjust seasoning and serve hot with shredded cheddar, green onions, sour cream, and optional cornbread or tortilla chips.
Ruby red pork is a slow dish in which the pork shoulder is simmered in a sauce made up of soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and spices. This is a soft and tasty dish and is recommended to be prepared in advance to continue cooking for several hours, so the tastes will blend.
It can be accompanied by either steamed rice, fried noodles, or even a sandwich with thick or ground meat as the filling. It is perfect for preparing in advance and rewarming before serving, so it’ll be a good fit for regular or celebration meals.
11. Pork Shoulder Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a classic Mexican dish made with tortillas rolled around a filling, covered in sauce, and baked until bubbly. To prepare this dish, shred cooked pork shoulder and fill warm corn tortillas with it, adding a bit of enchilada sauce and shredded cheese.
Roll up the tortillas, place them in a baking dish, cover with more enchilada sauce and cheese, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, diced onions, and sour cream.
Pork Carnitas Tacos are a traditional Mexican dish where pork shoulder is seasoned with spices like cumin and oregano and then slow-cooked until crispy on the edges. A fun fact about this recipe is that "carnitas" translates to "little meats" in Spanish, referring to the small, tender pieces of pork typically used in this dish.
Once the pork is slow-cooked, put the pork in tortillas with onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for tasty tacos.
13. Pork Shoulder Ramen
Ramen is a beloved Japanese noodle soup that can be made even heartier with the addition of tender pork shoulder. The pork shoulder is typically slow-cooked in a flavorful marinade and then crisped in the oven to create a delicious topping.
The dish can be customized with various ingredients, such as vegetables, eggs, and seasonings. For a classic Shoyu Ramen, the pork shoulder is cooked in a soy sauce-based broth with vegetables and noodles.
The best time to consume this recipe is when the pork is tender and the broth is hot, typically served as a comforting meal or as a quick lunch.
This pork shoulder recipe can be best described as a warm, filling meal that incorporates mouth-watering pieces of pork shoulder simmered in a luscious coconut curry sauce.
Initially, the pork shoulder is seared in a skillet and then further cooked in coconut milk, seasoned with curry powder, cumin, turmeric, and other spices.
Because the slow cooker cooks the pork in its juices, curry paste, and coconut milk, it is soft and moist, almost wanting to melt in your mouth. This dish is usually accompanied by steamed rice, with additional naan bread for a richer experience, and sprinkled with some chopped coriander and scallion.
15. Pork Shoulder Tamales
Pork Shoulder Tamales are a popular Mexican cuisine that features masa, a corn-based dough, shredded pork shoulder, and a delicious sauce prepared from ancho or guajillo chiles.
The name is derived from the pork shoulder, which is predominantly used as the filling, and the tamale, which is the final product. The recipe can be altered depending on the type of filling and sauce used, as preferred by the users.
German-inspired roast pork shoulder, or Schweinebraten, is a traditional German dish featuring tender pork shoulder in a rich, flavorful sauce. The pork is seasoned with salt, pepper, and caraway seeds, then slow-cooked with beer, onions, carrots, and celery.
The beer enhances the dish's depth of flavor, a hallmark of Bavarian cuisine. The pork, seared for a crispy crust and tender interior, is typically served with potato dumplings, bread dumplings, or Spätzle. The gravy, thickened with flour or cornstarch, creates a creamy sauce that complements the dish perfectly.
17. Honey Garlic Pork Shoulder
This is a flavorful and tender pork dish that combines the sweetness of honey with the savory flavor of garlic. This recipe is best consumed during the fall season, as the warm and comforting flavors of the dish are perfect for the cooler weather.
The main ingredients include pork shoulder, honey, garlic, soy sauce, and herbs like thyme and rosemary. The preparation time for this dish is relatively long, as it involves slow-cooking the pork shoulder in a mixture of honey, garlic, and soy sauce for several hours.
The best and fastest way to make stir-fried pork shoulder, or jeyuk bokkeum in Korean, is by using pork tenderloin, which is lean and tender, and cooking it quickly in a wok or large skillet with a variety of vegetables. This method ensures that the pork remains tender and the vegetables retain their crispness.
For a healthier version, include a mix of colorful vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, and red onions. These vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
19. BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
This recipe with pork shoulder combines the smoky, savory flavors of pulled pork with the tangy sweetness of barbecue sauce, all atop a crispy pizza crust. The pizza is typically topped with mozzarella cheese, red onions, and sometimes jalapeños for a bit of heat.
This unique pizza offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, making it a crowd-pleaser for both pizza and barbecue lovers.
This is a dish that combines tender pork shoulder with crispy potatoes, vegetables, and sometimes eggs and cheese. The term "hash" refers to a mixture of ingredients, often including potatoes, onions, and sometimes meat or eggs, that are cooked together until crispy and golden.
In this dish, pork shoulder is typically slow-cooked and then shredded or pulled, mixed with diced potatoes, onions, and sometimes bell peppers, and then fried until crispy.
21. Slow-Cooker Pork Ditalini Stew
This comforting dish features tender pork shoulder, ditalini pasta, and a medley of vegetables simmered together in a rich broth. This recipe likely draws inspiration from Italian cuisine, known for its hearty, slow-cooked stews.
The stew is slow-cooked until the pork is tender and the flavors are well blended, resulting in a satisfying and flavorful meal perfect for cozy dinners.
Also known as Lu Rou Fan, this is a popular Taiwanese dish that features tender pork belly slow-cooked in a savory-sweet sauce. Traditionally, this dish is made with pork belly but pork shoulder works in a pinch because it has a nice meat-to-fat ratio.
It is different from other braised pork dishes in its unique combination of soy sauce, sugar, and spices, which creates a rich and aromatic flavor profile. The dish is typically served with steamed rice, and hard-boiled eggs, and garnished with cilantro, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.
23. Pernil Asado
Pernil asado is a classic Puerto Rican dish that is often served during the holidays and special occasions. This recipe involves slow-roasted pork shoulder, which results in tender, flavorful meat and crispy skin.
The pork shoulder is marinated in a mixture of garlic, oregano, olive oil, and spices before being roasted at a low temperature for several hours. The long cooking time allows the connective tissues in the pork to break down, making the meat tender.
Mexican pork and hominy stew, or Pozole Rojo, is a traditional Mexican stew made with pork, hominy, and red chiles. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that is often served at special occasions and gatherings.
The recipe typically includes pork shoulder or shanks, which are slow-cooked in a rich broth with hominy and red chiles. The dish is relatively easy to make, requiring several hours of simmering to tenderize the pork and infuse the broth with flavor.
25. Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This is a simple yet flavorful recipe that combines tender pulled pork with fluffy sweet potatoes. The dish is easy to prepare, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal cooking time.
The sweetness of the sweet potatoes pairs perfectly with the savory flavor of the pulled pork, making it a satisfying and comforting meal. Additionally, the recipe allows for customization with various toppings, such as cheese, sour cream, and avocado, to suit individual tastes.
