Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt or pork butt, is a flavorful and versatile cut of meat that takes well to many different seasonings and cooking methods. The pork shoulder consists of parts of the upper shoulder from the front legs of the pig. It contains a good amount of fat, which helps keep the meat moist and tender as it cooks. Pork shoulder can be roasted, braised, smoked, or slow cooked to make pulled pork. With so many options for preparing pork shoulder, it pairs nicely with a variety of side dishes and ingredients. Read on to learn more about what goes well with pork shoulder.
What is pork shoulder?
Pork shoulder comes from the upper part of the front leg of the pig. It contains parts of the neck, shoulder blade, and upper arm. It is a moderately fatty cut of pork that contains both white and dark meat. The high fat content allows pork shoulder to remain juicy and tender even when cooked for long periods of time. Other names for pork shoulder include Boston butt, pork butt, and Boston-style shoulder.
This hearty cut of pork is ideal for braising, roasting, smoking, or slow cooking as the connective tissue breaks down during moist cooking methods. Pulled pork is a popular dish made by cooking pork shoulder low and slow until the meat shreds easily. Pork shoulder can be left bone-in or deboned before cooking. The bone adds extra flavor during cooking. Deboned pork shoulder is convenient for making stews, chili, or wraps.
Seasonings that go well with pork shoulder
Pork shoulder benefits from a wide range of herbs, spices, and other seasonings that complement and enhance the flavor of the pork:
Brown sugar – The sweetness of brown sugar balances nicely with pork. Rub pork shoulder with brown sugar before roasting or smoking. Add brown sugar to barbecue sauces and glazes for pulled pork.
Paprika – Whether using sweet, smoked, or spicy paprika, this spice adds a vibrant red color and burst of flavor to pork. Add it to dry rubs or mix into braising liquid.
Chili powder – For a touch of heat, coat pork shoulder with chili powder, ancho chile powder, or a spicy blend before cooking. The chile flavors enhance the pork.
Mustard – The tang of mustard complements pork wonderfully. Use it in marinades, glazes, or sauces served with pork shoulder.
Garlic – Pork and garlic are a classic combination. Rub garlic powder, fresh garlic, or garlic paste onto pork to infuse it with aromatic flavor.
Onion powder – Like garlic, onion powder gives pork shoulder excellent flavor. Add it to dry rubs or mix with other spices.
Cumin – Earthy cumin spice pairs nicely with pork shoulder, especially when making Mexican or Latin American inspired dishes.
Oregano – The zesty herbal flavor of oregano seasons pork shoulder beautifully. Use dried oregano in rubs and sauces.
Thyme – For a woodsy herbal note, dried thyme works very well with pork shoulder recipes.
Cayenne – A touch of cayenne pepper brings mild heat and smokiness to pork shoulder. Use in moderation to add flavor without too much burn.
Allspice – This warm spice blends well with pork in dry rubs, marinades, or braising liquids. A little allspice goes a long way.
Chipotle chile – For a smoky spiciness, blend canned chipotle pepper into adobo sauce, barbecue sauce, or chili to serve with pork shoulder.
Cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon enhances the natural sweetness of pork shoulder. Add it to dry rubs or braising liquid.
Coriander – Similar to cumin, coriander’s lemony flavor complements pork shoulder nicely in rubs and marinades.
Vegetables and sides that pair with pork shoulder
Pork shoulder tastes fantastic when served with a variety of vegetable side dishes. The vegetables round out the meal and complement the flavors of the pork. Here are some excellent vegetable pairings:
Potatoes – Mashed, baked, roasted, or fried, potatoes are a hearty side for pork shoulder. Potatoes soak up any delicious pan sauces or gravy.
Sweet potatoes – Like white potatoes, sweet potatoes pair wonderfully with pork shoulder. Try roasted or mashed sweet potatoes.
Green beans – Buttery green beans, whether steamed, sauteed, or roasted, make a nice accompaniment to pork shoulder.
Carrots – Glazed or roasted carrots add color to the plate and balance the pork’s richness.
Corn – Grilled, sauteed, or creamed corn tastes fantastic served with pulled pork or roasted pork shoulder.
Coleslaw – Cool, creamy coleslaw contrasts beautifully with hot, savory pork shoulder or pulled pork sandwiches.
Broccoli – Broccoli florets or broccoli salad provide nutrition and bright flavor alongside pork.
Brussels sprouts – Roasted Brussels sprouts caramelize beautifully and pair nicely with pork.
Asparagus – Quickly grilled or roasted asparagus spears make an elegant side for special occasion pork shoulder meals.
Spinach – Sauteed spinach with garlic rounded out pork shoulder dinner nicely.
Cabbage – Braised red cabbage, cabbage slaw, or sauerkraut are flavorful options.
Squash – Acorn squash, butternut squash, or zucchini squash taste delicious roasted and served with pork.
Other ingredients that go well with pork shoulder
In addition to vegetables and starches, pork shoulder also complements these ingredients marvelously:
Apples – Tart apples balance the fattiness of pork shoulder. Use applesauce or baked apples as a side. Simmer chunks of apple in braising liquid.
Pears – Similar to apples, pears taste wonderful paired with pork. Make a pear sauce or chutney for serving.
Stone fruits – Peaches, plums, cherries, and apricots add a touch of sweetness and acidity that enhances pork’s flavor.
Pomegranate – The tart sweetness and pop of juice from pomegranate arils or pomegranate molasses offset rich pork beautifully. Add them to sauces.
Orange – The bright citrus flavor of orange complements pork shoulder. Use orange zest, juice and orange slices in the braising liquid.
Tomatoes – Fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or tomato sauce all taste wonderful with pork shoulder.
Olives – Salty, briny olives provide contrasting flavor and texture to pork. Scatter olives into braised pork dishes.
Bacon – Smoky bacon elevates pork shoulder, whether you wrap it in bacon or chop bacon into appetizers, sandwiches or salads featuring pork.
Cheese – Melted cheese on pulled pork sandwiches or tacos is delicious. Also try baked brie or sharp cheddar alongside roasted pork.
Pickles – Tangy pickles, like dill pickles, pickle relish, and sauerkraut provide acidity and crunch with rich pork shoulder.
Honey – The sweetness of honey balances nicely with pork. Glaze pork shoulder with honey or add it to barbecue sauce.
Vinegar – Apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar all bring acidity that heightens pork’s flavor.
Best cooking methods for pork shoulder
With its high fat content and connective tissue, pork shoulder excels when cooked using moist heat, low and slow:
Roasting – Roast bone-in or deboned pork shoulder uncovered in the oven at 300°F until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F and the meat shreds easily.
Braising – Brown the pork shoulder then simmer it gently in flavorful braising liquid until tender.
Slow cooking – Use a slow cooker to cook pork shoulder on low heat for 8-10 hours until pull apart tender.
Smoking – Season pork shoulder and smoke it “low and slow” in a smoker for incredible depth of flavor.
Grilling – Grill pork shoulder indirectly or over low heat, turning occasionally, until the internal temp reaches 195°F.
Sous vide – For the most tender and juicy pork shoulder, cook vacuum-sealed pork in a precision water bath using sous vide.
Flavorful sauces and condiments for serving
Pair roasted, braised, smoked or pulled pork shoulder with any of these sauces and condiments:
Barbecue sauce – A sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is the classic pairing for pulled pork sandwiches.
Mustard BBQ sauce – For Carolina style pulled pork, mix prepared yellow mustard into the sauce.
Hot sauce – For people who like heat, offer hot sauces like Tabasco, Cholula or Tapatio on the table.
Ranch dressing – Cool ranch dressing tastes great with warm pulled pork for dunking or drizzling on sandwiches.
Blue cheese dressing – Similarly, the creamy richness of blue cheese dressing complements pulled pork well.
Honey mustard – Another excellent dipping sauce, the blend of honey and mustard is perfect for pork.
Salsa – Tomatillo salsa, pico de gallo, or other Mexican salsas pair beautifully with carnitas or tacos made with shredded pork shoulder.
Mole sauce – For a Mexican feast, serve pork shoulder tacos or burritos smothered in rich, complex mole sauce.
Chimichurri – The bright herby flavors of Argentinian chimichurri sauce cut through the unctuousness of pork shoulder nicely.
Gravy – For dinner entrees, serve pork shoulder with flavorful pan gravies and sauces made from the cooking liquid.
Delicious recipes featuring pork shoulder
Here are some exemplary recipes that showcase pork shoulder:
Pulled Pork Sandwiches – Slow cook seasoned and sauced pork shoulder until shreddable, pile onto buns, and top with coleslaw.
Carnitas – Simmer marinated pork shoulder until tender, shred, crisp in hot oil, and serve with tortillas, guacamole, and salsa.
Pork Green Chili – Cut pork shoulder into cubes, season, and simmer in tomatillo-based green chili sauce until falling apart tender.
Vietnamese Pork Banh Mi – Marinate and roast pork shoulder, then layer on crusty baguette with pickled carrot and daikon, cucumber, cilantro and mayo.
Mojo Pork Shoulder – Infuse Cuban flavors into pork shoulder with a marinade of garlic, orange and lime juice before roasting or slow cooking.
Pork Vindaloo – Braised chunks of pork shoulder in a heavily-spiced tomato vindaloo curry sauce until melt-in-your mouth tender.
Coca Cola Pulled Pork – For sweet and tangy shredded pork, slow cook pork shoulder in Coca Cola, garlic, soy sauce, and spices.
Pork Tomatillo Posole – Simmer pork shoulder in flavorful broth with hominy corn and top bowls with shredded pork, tomatillos, onions, garlic, lime and avocado.
Maple Dijon Pork Shoulder Roast – Roast pork shoulder coated in a maple syrup, mustard and herb crust for incredible flavors.
Tuscan Pork Shoulder – Braise pork shoulder Tuscan style with white beans, sage, rosemary, and garlic until super tender.
Pork Tamales – Make tamale dough masa, stuff with shredded pork shoulder filling, wrap in corn husks or banana leaves, and steam.
Hawaiian Kalua Pork – Traditionally cooked in an underground oven, kalua pork can be approximated by roasting seasoned pork shoulder in the oven. Shred and serve.
Basic steps for cooking pork shoulder
Follow these simple steps for foolproof pork shoulder every time:
1. Choose your pork shoulder cut – Pick bone-in or boneless, skin-on or off, trimmed or untrimmed based on your preferences. Calculate at least 0.50 lb per person.
2. Prepare the meat – Rinse pork, pat very dry with paper towels, and let sit uncovered in the fridge for better browning. Trim off excess fat if desired.
3. Season generously – Coat all sides with kosher salt, cracked pepper, and spice rubs or dry aromatics at least 40 minutes ahead.
4. Brown the exterior – Sear pork shoulder in batches in smoking hot oil to develop flavor (skip if smoking).
5. Cook with moist heat – Braise, roast, or slow cook pork at 300°F in a flavorful liquid like broth, cola, barbecue sauce until fall-apart tender.
6. Check for doneness – Pork shoulder is ready around 195°F internal temperature when it shreds easily with a fork.
7. Let meat rest – Lightly cover pork and let rest for 15-30 minutes before shredding or slicing for maximum juiciness.
8. Serve with sides & sauce – Pile succulent pork onto buns, over rice, with tortillas, or enjoy on its own with flavorful condiments and sauces.
Conclusion
When seasoned and cooked properly, pork shoulder is extremely flavorful, versatile and budget-friendly. Dry rubs, flavorful marinades, and low slow cooking methods allow the fatty cut to become meltingly tender with immensely juicy shredded meat. Pork shoulder pairs wonderfully with sweet and savory glazes, a myriad of vegetable sides, starches, zesty condiments and sauces. Experiment with global flavor profiles from barbecue to Latin to Asian-inspired dishes using succulent and delicious pork shoulder.