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What to Make with Pork Shoulder: 20+ Tasty Recipes

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

April 30, 2025

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5 from 1 vote

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This roundup covers 20+ easy pork shoulder recipes that are sure to be a hit in the kitchen. From carnitas, to chili, to pulled pork, these recipes can bring your meal to the next level.

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With these easy recipes for pork shoulder, you can now enjoy delicious meals that are easy to make. From classic dishes to bold flavors, there’s something in this post for everyone to enjoy.

Don’t be afraid to try something new – add your own creative twist to these recipes, and you’re sure to end up with something delicious.

First thing’s first…

Pork Shoulder vs. Pork Butt

Pork shoulder and pork butt both come from the shoulder of the pig. However, pork shoulder has a high muscle content, whereas pork butt has a higher fat content. Both cuts are relatively inexpensive, and work best when cooked low and slow, or in an instant pot.

Because of this, pork shoulder is great for braising, stewing, smoking or cooking in a slow cooker.

With the right preparation and recipes, pork shoulder can elevate your meals to the next level with juicy, succulent flavors. Check out these 20+ delicious recipes to try something new!

The BEST Pork Shoulder Recipes

Crispy carnitas on baking sheet.
Instant Pot Carnitas
The BEST Instant Pot Pork Carnitas are easy to make at home with your electric pressure cooker. A quick pop under the broiler at the end ensures that the carnitas get nice and crispy!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Pork street tacos arranged on white oval plate with avocado and jalapenos.
Pork Carnitas Street Tacos
These Pork Street Tacos are easy to make at home with your slow cooker. Popping the carnitas under the broiler at the end ensures that they get nice and crispy!
Pork Street Tacos
Easy Braised Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe
Easy Braised Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe – super delicious, tender, juicy and flavorful Pork Instant Pot Recipe, served with golden rice & quick salad. Get the RECIPE from Munchkintime
Easy Braised Pork Shoulder
Pineapple Pulled Pork Sandwich
Our favorite slow-cooker pulled pork recipe teams up with caramelized onion and squishy, pillowy rolls to make for an out-of-this-world pineapple pulled pork sandwich. Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Pineapple Pulled Pork Sandwich
Roasted Pork Shoulder with Lemon
Super easy Roasted pork shoulder with lemon.
Get the RECIPE from China Sichuan Food
Roasted Pork Shoulder with Lemon
Southwest BBQ Pork Sliders.
Southwest BBQ Pork Sliders – such a simple and deliciously fun way to kick off your summer BBQ adventures!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Southwest BBQ Pork Sliders
Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder
Pop this pork shoulder into a casserole along with some Italian flavourings and let the oven do all the work for you. This easy slow-cooked pork shoulder recipe makes a delicious spring roast dinner. Get the RECIPE from Sainsburys Magazine
Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder
Pulled Pork
Cooked low and slow, there’s nothing quite like truly great pulled pork, and this pulled pork recipe is the very best we’ve ever made! Plus, this recipe works in the oven, slow-cooker, or Instant Pot! Get the RECIPE from The Modern Proper
Pulled Pork
Asian Oven Pulled Pork Recipe with Pork Shoulder Butt
Asian Oven pulled Pork recipe for tacos, salads and sliders. Easy pulled pork recipe with asian spices for flavorful umami roast pork.
Get the RECIPE from White on Rice Couple
Asian Oven Pulled Pork Recipe with Pork Shoulder Butt
The Cuban Mojo Pork Special.
Cuban Mojo Pork Special – Cuban done right!
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Cuban Mojo Pork
Brown Sugar Garlic Butter Roast Pork
Brown Sugar Garlic Butter Roast Pork. Slow roast pork that’s caramelized on the outside, ultra tender on the inside, with syrupy sweet-savory-buttery juices.
Get the RECIPE from Recipe Tin Eats
Brown Sugar Garlic Butter Roast Pork
Hawaiian Style Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Hawaiian Style Slow Cooker Kalua Pork. Easy to prepare and no hands on cooking make this pork recipe a breeze to make and turns out perfect every time. Get the RECIPE from Pineapple and Coconut
Hawaiian Style Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork Pumpkin Chili
Looking for a warm, wholesome and EASY meal? Try this Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork Pumpkin Chili.
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Crockpot Chipotle Pulled Pork Pumpkin Chili
Ultimate Pork Roast Recipe
Pork Roast Recipe – the perfect slow roasted Sunday Pork Roast Recipe with yummy pork gravy! (dutch oven + crock pot instructions) Get the RECIPE from The Wooden Skillet
Ultimate Pork Roast Recipe
Momofuku Bossam – Korean Slow Cooked Pork Roast
Recipe for David Chang’s famous Momofuku Bossam, from his restaurant Momofuku in New York City. Easy to make, impressive and so, so delectable! Get the RECIPE from Recipe Tin Eats
Korean Slow Cooked Pork Roast
Crockpot Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup
Crockpot Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup.
Get the RECIPE from Half Baked Harvest
Crockpot Crispy Caramelized Pork Ramen Noodle Soup
Mojo Cuban Roast Pork
This is the actual recipe for Cuban Roast Pork from the movie Chef. Created by rock star LA chef Roy Choi, this is EASY and packs a SERIOUS flavour punch! Get the RECIPE from Recipe Tin Eats
Mojo Cuban Roast Pork
Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi
This Pulled Pork Banh Mi features Vietnamese baguette (banh mi) filled with tender and flavorful pulled pork, pickled vegetables, and tasty sauce. Get the RECIPE from Delightful Plate
Slow Cooker Vietnamese Pulled Pork Banh Mi
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili – This amazing, sweet heat style pulled pork chili is absolutely mouthwatering! Everything you love about pulled pork made into a hearty chili that’s packed with BBQ flavor and perfectly hearty for those cold fall and winter evenings!
Get the RECIPE from The Salty Marshmallow
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
Asian Caramel Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker Asian Caramel Pulled Pork is crazy tender smothered in the most addicting savory, sweet and spicy sauce infused with coconut milk, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, sriracha, ginger and garlic. This pork is amazing with rice/veggies or in salads, wraps, tacos, etc! Get the RECIPE from Carlsbad Cravings
Asian Caramel Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Pork Stew Recipe
Pork Stew is rich, hearty comfort food, that’s sure to chase away the winter blues with it’s tender chunks of meat and veggies in a rich and flavorful broth. Get the RECIPE from Yellow Bliss Road
Pork Stew

How to Make Ahead and Store

Many of these pork shoulder dishes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days or even in the freezer. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

More Ingredient Guides

  • Pork Belly Recipes
  • Pork Butt Recipes
  • Ground Beef Recipes
  • Italian Sausage Recipes
  • Ground Turkey Recipes
  • Lamb Recipes
  • Kielbasa Recipes
  • Boneless Pork Chop Recipes

Did you make any of these pork shoulder meals?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of what to make with pork shoulder. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

For more great Platings and Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on  Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.

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Full Recipe

What to Make with Pork Shoulder: 20+ Recipes

20+ easy pork shoulder recipes that are sure to be a hit in the kitchen. From carnitas, to chili, to pulled pork and more! Try these Pork Street Tacos. They're easy to make at home with your slow cooker. Popping the carnitas under the broiler at the end ensures that they get nice and crispy!
5 from 1 vote
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Serves 8 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 hours hrs
Total Time: 10 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Carnitas

  • 4-6 pound pork shoulder (or pork butt, slightly trimmed of excess fat (bone in or boneless) )
  • 1 Tablespoons garlic salt
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 oranges (juiced)
  • 1 lime (juiced)

For Serving

  • Tortillas
  • Pickled Onions
  • Cilantro
  • Avocado
  • Jalapenos

Instructions

Carnitas

  • Combine garlic salt, chili powder, dried oregano, dried basil, cumin, ground coriander, brown sugar, and sweet paprika.
  • Rub the spice mixture evenly over the pork. Place pork in the bottom of a slow cooker.
  • Pour the orange and lime juice over the pork.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 10-12 hours, or HIGH for 5-6 hours, or until pork is tender and falling apart. Use a fork to shred the meat.
  • Preheat oven broiler to HIGH. Arrange the pork in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  • Taste the pork for saltiness. You may want to sprinkle some additional salt on top.
  • Place underneath broiler until tips of pork are browned and slightly crisp, about 3-5 minutes. (Don’t walk away from it. Keep an eye on meat to make sure it doesn’t burn or become overly browned).
  • Enjoy in tortillas with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 1424mg | Potassium: 741mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 29.9mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2.8mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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