Pork shoulder is great value and a versatile choice for family meals and entertaining. You can go for a traditional roast pork shoulder with crackling, but we love the extra tenderness that comes with slow roasting first, then finishing on a high heat for perfect crackling. It’s also the ideal cut for the slow cooker, adding to curries and casseroles and for making pulled pork. To find out how to cook pork shoulder in delicious ways, check out our top recipes.
Pork shoulder recipes
1. Curtis Stone's coconut milk braised pork shoulder
Can’t choose between roast pork shoulder with crackling and tender slow cooked pork shoulder? Get both in this recipe – diced shoulder is cooked slowly in spiced coconut and lemongrass braising liquid and the rind is roasted separately on high heat to make perfect crackling. Leftovers make great banh mi, too.
2. Roast pork and pears with cranberry and balsamic relish
Love pork and fennel sausage rolls? This roast pork shoulder with crackling is for you. Rubbing the rind with crushed fennel seeds and sea salt flakes gives it an Italian flavour, while the roasted pears and homemade relish add delicious sweetness to this family dinner. Serve with lots of greens.
3. Slow-roasted lime and ginger pork shoulder
This slow cooked pork shoulder roast has a sticky Asian-style glaze. Slow-roast in a mix of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, honey, lime juice, ginger and garlic until very tender, uncovering for the last 30 minutes of cooking to caramelise the outside. Then slice and serve with steamed rice and greens.
4. Slow cooker red pork curry
Pork and pumpkin go very well together, especially in a slow cooked pork shoulder curry. This one is made in a slow cooker so it’s super easy. Brown the pork, add to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients, then leave to simmer until beautifully tender and aromatic.
5. Curtis’ pulled pork with slaw and bacon cornbread
Pulled pork is a winner for easy entertaining, so try making Curtis Stone’s Southern-style pulled pork shoulder when friends come around. The slow cooked pork shoulder is paired with mouth-watering cornbread loaded with bacon bits. The crispy cabbage, onion and capsicum slaw is the perfect counterpoint to all that richness.
6. Mexican-style pulled pork with corn salsa
Try pulled pork shoulder Mexican style with tacos and salsa. For the slow cooked pork shoulder, bake in a spicy tomato sauce in the oven at 140°C for 6 hours until it’s easy to shred. Swap fresh corn for 2 cups (320g) drained canned or frozen corn if you like.
7. Roasted pork with poached pear salad
Here’s another way to combine pears, fennel and tender roast pork shoulder with crackling. While the pork is roasting, gently poach pears in red wine and cranberry juice and chill for the fennel and rocket salad. Save some poaching liquid to make a delicious sauce to drizzle over the pork.
8. Curtis Stone's pulled pork with cabbage slaw
Here’s an easier version of Tex-Mex pulled pork shoulder, without the crackling. Remove the rind from the pork shoulder roast before baking in homemade barbecue sauce for 6 hours. When the pork is fork-tender, shred it and stir into the sauce. Serve with a classic coleslaw tossed in buttermilk dressing.
9. Colin Fassnidge's warming pork and bean stew
Enjoy slow cooked pork shoulder in a classic casserole. This comforting recipe has onion, carrot and lots of garlic, plus soy sauce and star anise to flavour the braising liquid. Use any canned beans, but make sure you add them at the end of cooking so they don’t break apart.
10. Courtney Roulston's Chinese slow roast pork shoulder with smashed cucumbers
Inspired by Chinese barbecue pork, this slow cooked pork shoulder is roasted slowly in a mix of honey, soy, hoisin, ginger, sesame and five spice so it’s full of flavour. Pair it with its perfect match - classic cucumber salad made with garlic, chilli and vinegar, plus fluffy steamed white rice.
