24 Pork Shoulder Recipes That Will Have You Cooking Like a Pro

August 9, 2024
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Pork shoulder can seem like a pretty daunting cut to cook with. In reality, though, anyone can cook this cut and make it taste delicious. Of course, you need the right recipes for this and you will find all the ones that you need right here: 

Pork Shoulder

1. Fall Apart Roasted Pork Shoulder with Rosemary, Mustard, and Garlic 

This is the perfect recipe to try out if you want to cook a pork shoulder that is amazingly tender. Here, you make a paste from rosemary, garlic, anchovies, mustard, olive oil, and other ingredients and thickly apply it to the pork shoulder before baking. This creates a delicious layer over the tender meat. 

Get the recipe here

2. Grilled Pork Shoulder 

It can be difficult to grill pork shoulder and still ensure that it is tender and juicy. Fortunately for you, this recipe takes all the guesswork out of the equation. Discover how to make perfectly seasoned, perfectly grilled pork shoulder! 

Get the recipe here

3. Grilled Pork Shoulder Souvlaki 

This is a fresh and delicious take on pork shoulder! You marinate slices of pork shoulder in garlic, herbs, and spices. Then, you thread the slices through wooden skewers and grill on high until the meat is crispy. You can then serve the grilled pork with homemade tzatziki sauce. 

Get the recipe here

4. Braised Pork Shoulder 

If you are looking for delicate flavors and a melt in your mouth texture, then this is the recipe for you. Here, the pork shoulder is braised in red wine, broth, aromatics, and veggies. This ensures that the flavor seeps into every part of the pork shoulder! 

Get the recipe here

5. Slow Braised Pork Shoulder with Cider and Parsnips 

Cooking pork shoulder in cider and stock is a great way to tenderize the meat while also giving it a slightly sweet, slightly tangy, slightly savory flavor. The veggies help to round out the meal making it extra satisfying. This dish is delicious served with mashed potatoes. 

Get the recipe here

6. Braised Pork Shoulder Ragu Over Pappardelle 

If you are feeling like a flavorful and hearty Italian meal, then this is definitely a dish you should consider. Sliced pork shoulder is braised in tomatoes, herbs, aromatics, and veggies until nice and tender. Then you shred the pork and serve over freshly cooked pappardelle and top with parmesan cheese. 

Get the recipe here

7. Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder 

Smoking pulled pork shoulder so that it falls off the bone is an art. Thanks to this recipe, you will be able to master this art in no time at all. Here you can discover the perfect rub, spritz, temperature, and smoking technique to use to get the best pulled pork. 

Get the recipe here

8. Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork 

Just because you don’t have a smoker doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy pulled pork! Here, you add the pork, sauces, seasonings, stock, and apple cider vinegar into the slow cooker. Then, you just wait until it is done and the pork can be easily shredded. It is as simple as that! 

Get the recipe here

9. Pork Shoulder Carnitas 

This Mexican shredded pork is just bursting with flavor. The pork shoulder is rubbed down with oregano and cumin and then cooked in orange juice, garlic, onions, and jalapenos in a slow cooker. Then, you shred the pork and fry it in a frying pan to crisp it up. Finally, you serve it in between warm tortillas. 

Get the recipe here

10. Braised Pulled Pork Tacos 

These pulled pork tacos are so much faster than traditional ones. In fact, these will only take you a couple of hours to make. You braise the pork shoulder in white wine, ketchup, broth, and seasonings. Then, you shred the pork, add to tortillas, and top with veggies, sour cream, and jalapenos. 

Get the recipe here

11. Pork, Cider, and Parsnip Pie 

In this recipe, you cook the pork shoulder in cider, alongside the parsnip until the pork is tender and you have a nice thick gravy. Next, the filling is tipped into a pie dish, topped off with puff pastry, and then baked until golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

12. Porky Pot Pie with Cheesy Drop Biscuits 

This is a really unique pot pie dish. Here, the pork shoulder is cut up and cooked in cream, broth, cognac, and seasonings until tender. Then, it is topped off with homemade cornmeal cheesy biscuits and baked in the oven until golden brown! 

Get the recipe here

13. Braised and Stuffed Pork Shoulder 

If you want to do something very different with pork shoulder, you should give this recipe a try. Here, the pork shoulder is marinated in white wine and herbs. Then, it is opened up, stuffed with a garlic herb filling and then tied back up. Then, you sear the stuffed pork before cooking it in the marinade and stock! 

Get the recipe here

14. Cuban Pork Sandwich

For the delicious filling of this sandwich, you marinate the pork shoulder in orange juice, lime juice, aromatics, and herbs. Then you cook it in a slow cooker until tender. Shred the pork and make a sandwich with garlic spread, onions, pepperoncini, and swiss cheese.

Get the recipe here.

15. Grilled Pineapple Pork Sandwich

This sandwich is sweet, tangy, savory and a little spicy. The pork shoulder is cooked in pineapple juice and soy sauce until tender. Then it is browned in the oven and served on fluffy bread along with grilled pineapple.

Get the recipe here.

16. Philly Italian Pork Sandwich

This sandwich is chock full of fillings and flavor. The pork shoulder is slow cooked in wine, stock, Italian herbs, and tomatoes. It is piled on top of bread, provolone cheese, broccoli rabe, and roasted peppers. Delicious!

Get the recipe here.

17. BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich 

It doesn’t get any simpler than this pulled pork sandwich. The slow Cooker does most of the work, tenderizing the pork shoulder. It is then shredded, tossed with barbecue sauce, and then served in between buns with more sauce!

Get the recipe here.

18. BBQ Pulled Pork Shoulder Bowls

This pulled pork is cooked in apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, garlic, and cumin. Once tender it is served with homemade smoked paprika roasted sweet potatoes, coleslaw, beans, and BBQ sauce!

Get the recipe here.

19. Creamy Pork Shoulder Casserole 

If you are looking for a nice and comforting meal, then here is your ticket. This pork shoulder is cooked in cider and stock and is rounded off with a hint of cream. Some crispy bacon lardons finish the whole thing off! 

Get the recipe here

20. Rice with Pork Shoulder 

In this recipe, sliced pork shoulder is cooked in stock with tomatoes and aromatics. Then, you add the rice into the mix, add more stock, and cook further. This allows all of those flavors to combine beautifully! 

Get the recipe here

21. Pork Birria Tacos 

The pork shoulder is cooked in a delicious concoction of stock and Mexican inspired spices until tender. The tortillas are then dipped in the braising sauce, fried, and then topped with shredded pork and cheese!

Get the recipe here.

Pork Birria Tacos

22. Savory Braised Pork Tart with Mofongo Crust

If you really want to experiment what you can do with pork shoulder, this dish is for you! The pork roast is braised in sour orange juice, broth, aromatics, and spices. Then, it is shredded and mixed with a heavy cream concoction and poured into a plantain and bacon tart base! 

Get the recipe here

Savory Braised Pork Tart with Mofongo Crust

23. Braised Pork Shoulder with Apples

Apples and pork are such a beautiful combination. With this recipe you cook the pork shoulder in hard cider and apple cider vinegar. When it is tender, then you add in apples, crispy bacon, and dijon mustard. It is a sweet, salty, and tangy combination! 

Get the recipe here

24. Thai Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

This pork shoulder is crispy on the top and tender on the inside thanks to being brined with salt and baking powder. Once it is roasted to perfection, you serve the crispy pork shoulder with Thai rice, dried chili and vinegar dipping sauce, Thai herbs, and other delicious side dishes! 

Get the recipe here

Thai Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder

The versatility of pork shoulder means that there are plenty of dishes for you to choose from. From baked, braised, and smoked dishes to more unique and exotic recipes, you can find everything you need right here! 

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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