20 Best Pork Shoulder Recipes & Menu Ideas

Nobody can resist these rich and tender pork shoulder recipes.

They’re super meaty, incredibly flavorful, and so soft, every bite melts in your mouth.

Pork shoulder can be slow-roasted, grilled, or tossed in the Instant Pot for dinner in a flash.

And from hearty pork roasts to tasty tacos, there’s no shortage of flavor on this list of dinner ideas.

Bone in or bone out, skinless or not, there’s so much to love about a delicious pork dish.

So grab your new favorite cut of pork, and dig into one of these incredible pork shoulder recipes. 

20 Fork Tender Pork Shoulder Recipes For Dinner

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

Is it just me, or was mustard made for pork?

This ultra-tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder showcases that flavor partnership perfectly.

And when I say “fall-apart,” I mean, “grab a napkin because this stuff is drool-worthy and 100% fork-tender.”

It’s seriously the juiciest meat ever.

Plus, the heavenly rub of anchovy, garlic, rosemary, and dijon mustard makes a beautiful crust you’ll go nuts for. 

2. Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder With Apple Gravy

Fall brings together my two favorite things: comfort foods and apple picking! And this recipe is the best of both worlds in one pan.

First, you’ll marinate the pork shoulder in a herbal rub for out-of-this-world flavor.

Then slow roast it in a bed of browned apples and onions for a bit of sweet and savory goodness.

This roast is finger-licking-good on its own. But if you’re in the mood for some carbs, serve it with mashed potatoes or a big helping of roasted veggies!

3. Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder typically comes with a lot of skin and fat. While that doesn’t sound scrummy, it’s probably the best part when it’s cooked right.

In my house, we fought over the crackling growing up. And I still love it to this day!

So, follow this easy recipe, and your next roast will have a wonderful crispy crust. And believe it or not, the only seasoning is a bit of salt and pepper.

As the pork cooks, the fat will expand and bubble up. If you’ve never eaten it before, you’re in for a real treat.

Serve with a simple sauce, veggies, and a carb of your choice.

4. Braised Pork Shoulder with Cheesy Fontina Grits

Slowly braised pork is about as good as it gets. It’s a deceptively simple method of cooking meat that yields some pretty incredible results.

Just sear your meat, then add a small amount of liquid (in this case, beef broth with red wine and veggies).

Unlike stews or slow cooking, you want the top of the meat exposed.

After a few hours, it’ll be beyond tender. Serve it with cheesy grits or polenta for the most indulgent dinner ever.

5. Crock Pot Pork Roast

After a long summer of hibernation, your Crock Pot is ready for a new season of action. And what better way to kick it off than a tender pork roast?

Use McCormick’s Grill Mates for a simple but scrummy seasoning.

This slow-cooked shredded pork is perfect with potatoes, in tacos, or even on a bun. 

6. Instant Pot Adobada Tacos

Tacos are probably my favorite food of all time – though that may change tomorrow!

Still, they’re pretty darn perfect as far as dinner goes. And these pork shoulder tacos are flavorful and totally foolproof for a fabulous family dinner!

Adobada tacos commonly take hours to make, but the Instant Pot is here to change the game.

You’ll find there are quite a few ingredients in this recipe. But each brings its own depth of flavor, so try to stick to the recipe.

Serve the cooked pork in corn tortillas with avocado, cilantro, and sour cream. Yum!

7. Sous Vide Pulled Pork Shoulder

Cooking with a sous vide can sound intimidating, but it’s actually embarrassingly simple.

After a quick sear, you’ll pop the meat in a vacuum-sealed bag and then submerge it under water for 24 hours.

Yes, you read that right: this takes a whole 24 hours to make. But as long as your machine is working, you can rest easy!

The resulting roast is beyond tender and full of flavor from the spices in the bag.

8. Milk-braised Pork (Maiale al latte)

I know this sounds odd, but trust me: milk-braised pork is a winner.

The dairy helps to break down the pork proteins for the most tender meat you’ll ever taste ever.

Begin by searing the meat on all sides to help lock in all the juice and flavor. Then place it in a cast iron skillet with lemon, garlic, and sage.

The milk will curdle slightly as it cooks, but it makes for a savory curd sauce. Serve pork with polenta, potatoes, and greens on the side. 

9. Pozole Rojo (Mexican Pork and Hominy Stew)

No list of pork shoulder recipes would be complete without a tasty stew, right?

I’m sure you have a go-to recipe, but this is (in my humble opinion) the best of the best.

Featuring cooked pork in a chili flavored broth and plenty of hominy, this Mexican holiday classic is better than you can imagine.

Add a bit of cabbage, avocado, and radishes, then dig in!

10. Breakfast Beer Braised Pork Tacos

Those adobada tacos are super tasty but admittedly quite spicy. So if you want something more mellow, try this recipe instead.

And I know what you’re thinking: tacos for breakfast? Yes, my friend – it’s always a good time for tacos!

Between the tender meat, eggs, cheese, and taco fixings, these breakfast tacos are a terrific way to start the day.

11. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

If you’ve never had stuffed sweet potatoes before, you’re missing out. I have a bunch of tasty recipes, but savory pulled pork is possibly my fave.

Made in the slow cooker, you’ll cook the meat and potatoes together, making cleanup and preparation a breeze. 

Hawaiian-inspired pulled pork goes perfectly with barbecue sauce, sour cream, and cilantro. And that hit of sweetness is such a wonderful complement.

12. Crock Pot Cuban Nachos with Lighter Nacho Cheese Sauce

In my kitchen, leftover pulled pork can only mean one thing: nachos!

I mean, what can possibly be better than tender meat over crunchy chips with melty cheese, guac, and salsa?

Of course, this Cuban spiced pork is so tender, juicy, and flavorful, you may not have any leftovers – you’ll eat it all right out of the pan!

13. Apple Cider-Braised Pork Shoulder

Cooking with apple cider vinegar is a great way to tenderize a tough pork roast.

Amazingly, you’ll be able to drop the cooking time to under 3 hours and still have tender meat.

This apple cider is definitely not sipping, but it’s perfect for delicious pork with shallots, fennel, and apples.

Serve over mashed potatoes with extra sauce drizzled over the top. Delish!

14. Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork

As the summer months fade, I still find myself craving some of that tangy barbecue flavor.

Luckily, this easy Dutch oven recipe has the fall comfort you want with a warm summer flavor.

A simple blend of soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and brown sugar make a delectable glaze.

After a quick sear and a few hours of slow cooking, the sauce has plenty of time to soak into the meat. 

Reserve a bit of extra sauce for the toasted brioche buns. And you can’t go wrong with homemade steak fries and garlic aioli on the side!

15. Carnitas (Mexican Slow Cooker Pulled Pork)

It doesn’t matter if it’s Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday – it’s time for tacos! More specifically, these homemade carnitas.

The trick to carnitas is to slow-cook the pork in a medley of spices and citrus until it’s fall-apart tender. Then you’ll roast it for crispy bits in every bite.

You don’t need to add much if you’ve seasoned the pork correctly. A few chopped onions, cilantro, and lime juice should do the trick!

16. Smothered Pork Steak

Everyone knows mushrooms and onions are great on a well-grilled steak. But why not enjoy that flavor combination in a creamy gravy on pork steak? 

Start by slicing a pork shoulder into steak slabs and then lightly season them.

Next, give them a good sear in a hot pan before adding the remaining ingredients. 

The pork will continue to cook in the creamy onion and mushroom gravy, soaking up all that earthy goodness.

Serve with noodles, rice, or steamed veggies. 

17. Slow Roasted Honey Soy Pork

Add a bit of Asian flair to your weekly menu with this fabulously fragrant and delicious dinner.

The pork is cooked in a savory soy, honey, and garlic sauce, plus sesame oil, pepper flakes, and rice vinegar.

This recipe is excellent with marinated cucumbers, cilantro, lime, and steamed rice. Sprinkle with furikake or sesame seeds, and it’s all set.

18. Crock Pot Mojo Pork with Cuban-Style Black Beans

Easy mojo pork is my family’s favorite way to prepare a pork shoulder.

Not only does it make for delicious tacos and burrito bowls, but it’s super easy to make, too!

Layer the pork in a Crock Pot and cover it with chicken broth, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and spices.

Then, before it’s done cooking, prepare the Cuban-style black beans.

Enjoy with cauliflower rice, in tacos, or even with eggs for breakfast, and you’ll be in pork heaven. 

19. Momofuku Bossam (Korean Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder Roast)

Have you ever been to Momofuku? It’s seriously worth all the hype, and this is possibly my favorite thing on the menu.

From the insanely indulgent caramelized crust to the condiments and fun extras, it’s a show-stopper that’s meant to be shared.

Just keep in mind it needs to be dry-cured with salt and sugar for 24 to 36 hours. I know it’s a lot, but I promise it’s worth it!

20. The Best Smoked Pork Shoulder Recipe – How to Make Traeger Pulled Pork

Have you invested in a smoker yet? There are plenty of reasonable options these days and so many incredible recipes to try out!

And this pork shoulder is one of them!

Start with your favorite dry spice rub, and then find some wooden pellets that match the flavors.

Smoking takes a solid few hours. But that flavor is unmatched and worth every second of your patience.