Chef Dean
American Goulash
A Midwestern one-pot supper of seasoned ground beef, tender elbow macaroni, and tomatoes simmered into a thick, soul-satisfying stew. This is the dish that fed factory workers and farm families alike.
Culinary Explorer
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Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder
Created by
Bone-in pork shoulder rubbed with garlic, fennel, and crushed red pepper, then roasted for hours until the meat surrenders to a fork and the fat renders into pure silk.
Main Dishes
American
Potluck
BBQ
Make Ahead
20 min
Active Time
8 hr cook•8 hr 20 min total
Yield12-16 servings
Find a pig raised well. This matters more than any technique I can teach you. A shoulder from a pastured hog, one that rooted in dirt and ate what pigs are meant to eat, carries a depth of flavor that no amount of seasoning can replicate in a factory-farmed cut. Ask your butcher where the pig came from. If they cannot tell you, find a different butcher.
The shoulder is the most forgiving and generous cut on the animal. It wants to be cooked low and slow, giving you hours of freedom while the oven does the work. The collagen breaks down into gelatin, the fat bastes the meat from within, and what emerges is tender enough to pull apart with your hands.
This is the dish I make when people are coming and I want to feed them well without standing at the stove. Rub it the night before if you can. Slide it into the oven in the morning. By evening, you have something that feels like a celebration but cost you almost nothing in effort. Your choices shape the food system. Buying a shoulder from a farmer who raises pigs right keeps that farm alive, and the pork tastes better for it.
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Discover Culinary ExplorerIngredients
bone-in pork shoulder
Quantity
8-10 pounds
preferably from a pastured pig
fennel seeds
Quantity
2 tablespoons
coriander seeds
Quantity
1 tablespoon
crushed red pepper flakes
Quantity
2 teaspoons
garlic
Quantity
1 head
cloves peeled and roughly chopped
kosher salt
Quantity
3 tablespoons
freshly cracked black pepper
Quantity
1 tablespoon
olive oil
Quantity
3 tablespoons
dry white wine or hard cider
Quantity
1 cup
fresh rosemary
Quantity
a few sprigs
fresh sage
Quantity
a few sprigs
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| bone-in pork shoulderpreferably from a pastured pig | 8-10 pounds |
| fennel seeds | 2 tablespoons |
| coriander seeds | 1 tablespoon |
| crushed red pepper flakes | 2 teaspoons |
| garliccloves peeled and roughly chopped | 1 head |
| kosher salt | 3 tablespoons |
| freshly cracked black pepper | 1 tablespoon |
| olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| dry white wine or hard cider | 1 cup |
| fresh rosemary | a few sprigs |
| fresh sage | a few sprigs |
Equipment Needed
- •Large roasting pan or Dutch oven with lid
- •Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
- •Instant-read thermometer
- •Heavy-duty aluminum foil if your pan lacks a lid
Instructions
- 1
Toast and grind the spices
Set a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds and coriander seeds and toast until fragrant and slightly darker, shaking the pan often, about two minutes. The kitchen will smell like a warm spice market. Transfer to a mortar and pestle or spice grinder and crush to a coarse powder. You want texture here, not dust.
- 2
Build the rub
Combine the crushed spices with the chopped garlic, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and olive oil in a small bowl. Mash everything together with a fork until you have a rough paste. It should smell alive, almost aggressive. That intensity will mellow and deepen over hours in the oven.
- 3
Score and season the shoulder
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern about half an inch deep. This lets the seasoning penetrate and allows fat to render more evenly. Rub the spice paste all over the meat, pressing it into the scores and covering every surface. Do not be delicate.
If time allows, season the shoulder the night before and refrigerate uncovered. The salt will penetrate deeper and the surface will dry out, creating better browning. - 4
Set up for roasting
Position a rack in the lower third of your oven and preheat to 300°F. Place the shoulder fat side up in a large roasting pan or Dutch oven. Tuck the rosemary and sage around the meat. Pour the wine into the bottom of the pan. Cover tightly with a lid or two layers of aluminum foil.
- 5
Roast low and slow
Slide the pan into the oven and let time do what time does. Roast for six to seven hours, until the meat is completely tender and pulls apart when you press it with a fork. The internal temperature should read 195 to 205°F in the thickest part. Do not rush this. The magic happens in the final hour when collagen transforms into gelatin.
Resist opening the oven. Every peek releases heat and extends your cooking time. Trust the process. - 6
Crisp the exterior
Remove the lid or foil and increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Roast uncovered for another 30 to 45 minutes until the fat cap turns deep golden brown and crispy in spots. The edges should look almost lacquered, dark and caramelized.
- 7
Rest before serving
Transfer the shoulder to a cutting board and let it rest for 20 to 30 minutes. The meat will stay hot far longer than you expect. Use this time to taste the pan juices and adjust the seasoning. Strain the liquid if you like, though I prefer it rustic, with all those bits of garlic and herbs.
- 8
Pull and serve
Pull the meat apart with two forks, or simply set the shoulder on the table and let people serve themselves. Pour some of the pan juices over the meat to keep it glistening. This is not a dish that needs precision. It needs to be eaten with friends, ideally with warm tortillas, sharp pickles, or crusty bread nearby.
Chef Tips
- •The best pork comes from pigs that lived well. Heritage breeds like Berkshire, Duroc, or Red Wattle have fat that tastes like something. Seek them out at farmers markets or through local farms.
- •Do not trim the fat cap. It renders during cooking and bastes the meat continuously. What remains turns crispy and delicious.
- •Save any leftover meat in its juices. It improves overnight as the flavors continue to meld. Reheat gently in a covered pan with a splash of water or stock.
- •This pork is perfect with something acidic: pickled onions, salsa verde, or even a simple squeeze of lemon. The brightness cuts through the richness.
Advance Preparation
- •Season the pork shoulder up to 24 hours ahead. The salt will penetrate the meat and the surface will dry, improving both flavor and browning.
- •The finished pork keeps refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a 300°F oven with a splash of liquid, covered, until warmed through.
- •Pulled pork freezes well for up to 3 months. Store in portions with some of the cooking liquid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutrition Information
1 serving (about 170g)
Calories
640 calories
Total Fat
41 g
Saturated Fat
16 g
Trans Fat
0 g
Unsaturated Fat
23 g
Cholesterol
185 mg
Sodium
1020 mg
Total Carbohydrates
3 g
Dietary Fiber
1 g
Sugars
1 g
Protein
43 g
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