Whether or not to season a pork shoulder the night before cooking is a common question many home cooks have. There are good arguments on both sides of this debate. Seasoning the pork shoulder in advance definitely has some benefits, but also a few potential downsides to consider. Overall, it usually comes down to personal preference and cooking style. Here are the main pros and cons to help you decide if seasoning a pork shoulder the night before is right for your needs.
Pros of Seasoning a Pork Shoulder the Night Before
Deepens the flavor: Seasoning meat in advance gives the salt, spices, and herbs time to really penetrate into the pork. This allows the seasonings to infuse more flavor throughout the meat, rather than just coating the exterior. Overnight seasoning can really amplify and deepen the pork flavor.
Dries out the exterior: Salt is amazing at drawing moisture out of meat through the process of osmosis. By salting the pork shoulder the night before, you’ll pull some moisture out of the exterior of the meat. This drying effect helps the pork shoulder develop a better sear and crust when cooking.
Less work on cooking day: Getting part of the prep work done ahead of time means less to do right before cooking. Seasoning the night before can make the cooking process a little simpler.
More flexibility: When the pork is already seasoned, it gives you more flexibility on cooking time. You can start cooking first thing in the morning, or even push back the cooking a few hours if needed.
Can season under skin: If the pork shoulder has the skin on, seasoning a day early makes it easier to get seasoning directly on the meat under the skin. The skin will retract back down onto the meat, locking the seasoning in place.
Cons of Seasoning a Pork Shoulder the Night Before
Moisture loss: While some moisture loss is desirable, too much can dry the pork shoulder out. Leaving the salt on too long can pull out an excessive amount of moisture.
Uneven seasoning: Depending on how you store the pork after seasoning, the seasoning may not stay evenly distributed. Spots with higher seasoning concentration could become overly salty.
Time: It takes extra time to get everything prepared and seasoned the night before cooking. For some cooks, this may not fit well into their workflow.
Food safety: Pork needs to be stored properly after seasoning to prevent bacterial growth. Leaving seasoned meat out too long before cooking can create food safety issues.
Reduced crisping: The drier exterior from overnight seasoning may actually inhibit the pork shoulder from crisping up as much when cooked. Too much moisture loss can work against browning.
Tips for Seasoning Pork Shoulder the Night Before
If you decide to season your pork shoulder in advance, follow these tips:
- Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per pound of pork.
- Apply seasoning evenly over all surfaces.
- Wrap seasoned pork well and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove pork from fridge 30-60 minutes before cooking.
- Pat pork dry before searing to remove excess moisture.
- Apply a light coat of oil before searing to encourage browning.
Conclusion
Seasoning pork shoulder the night before has some real advantages but also a few potential pitfalls. Pay close attention to the amount of salt used and food safety if choosing to season in advance. For most cooks, the benefits of added flavor and a crisped exterior make overnight seasoning well worth the effort. Just be sure to follow proper techniques. With a little trial and error, you’ll find the overnight seasoning method that works best for your style of roasted pork shoulder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to season pork shoulder and refrigerate overnight?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to season pork shoulder, wrap it well, and refrigerate overnight. Allow extra time for the meat to come up to room temperature before cooking.
Should I rinse off pork after overnight seasoning?
No, do not rinse off the seasoning. Simply pat the pork dry before searing to remove excess moisture. Rinsing will wash away the seasoning you want infused into the meat.
How much salt should I use when seasoning pork shoulder overnight?
Use 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per pound of pork. Too much salt can make the pork overly salty.
What’s the best way to store seasoned pork shoulder overnight?
Tightly wrap the seasoned pork in plastic wrap or seal it in a zip top bag to keep the seasoning evenly distributed. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet or plate to catch any drips.
Can I season pork shoulder 2-3 days before cooking?
It’s best to limit overnight seasoning to just 1-2 days for food safety. Seasoning 2-3 days before risks bacterial growth on the meat.
Should I score the pork shoulder before overnight seasoning?
Scoring or cutting slits into the pork shoulder can help the seasoning penetrate deeper. However, take care not to cut in too deeply and compromise the structure of the meat.