How Long to Roast a 10 lb Pork Shoulder for Tender, Juicy Meat

An amazing slow-roasted pork shoulder recipe for the oven. Your kitchen will smell delightful all day!

He serves steaks, swordfish, a pork butt (Boston butt) and Spatchcock chicken (I had to look that word up!).

Roasting a pork shoulder, also known as a pork butt or Boston butt, can seem daunting if you’ve never attempted this large cut of meat before. But with the right technique, a good pork shoulder roast can turn out incredibly moist, tender and flavorful.

The most important factors in achieving a perfect roast pork shoulder are controlling the temperature and cooking it low and slow. Here’s what you need to know to roast a 10 lb pork shoulder to juicy, pull-apart perfection.

Choosing the Right Size Pork Shoulder

Pork shoulder roasts are sold bone-in or boneless usually between 7-10 pounds. A 10 lb size is great for feeding a crowd. Go smaller if cooking for just a family meal. Boneless roasts cook slightly faster but bone-in is more flavorful.

How Long Does it Take to Roast a 10 lb Pork Shoulder?

Total roasting time depends on the oven temperature:

250°F – For super low and slow roasting, cook for about 15 hours total at 250°F. This allows time for all the fat and collagen to break down into succulent meat.
325°F – The most common roasting temp cooking time will be about 4-5 hours for a 10 lb roast. Resist turning the oven higher to avoid drying out the meat.
350-400°F – Roasting at the higher end, cook time will be reduced to about 3-4 hours. Watch closely to avoid overcooking.

Step-by-Step Method for Roasting Pork Shoulder

Follow these simple steps for perfect roast pork shoulder every time:

Prep the roast – Rinse and pat the pork dry. Score the fat cap in a crosshatch pattern. Rub all over with salt, pepper and other seasoning or rub.
Sear the meat – Optional, but searing adds nice color and flavor. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Brown all sides of the roast, about 1 minute per side.
Roast in the oven – Place pork in a roasting pan, fat side up. Cook at 325°F until internal temp reaches 195-205°F, about 4-5 hours.
Rest before serving – Crucial step to allow juices to redistribute. Tent foil over roast and let rest 20-30 minutes.
Carve and serve – The pork will be fall-apart tender. Carve into slices or shred for pulled pork sandwiches.

Roasting Tips

Searing is optional but adds great flavor from the browned bits in the pan.
Use a meat thermometer for best accuracy on doneness. Pork shoulder is done at 195-205°F.
Add liquids like broth, wine or apple juice to the roasting pan to keep the meat moist.
Letting the roast rest after cooking allows the juices to redistribute for moist, tender meat.

Incredible Flavor in Every Bite

When roasted low and slow, the pork shoulder transforms from a tough cut into a masterpiece of fork-tender, succulent meat. The flavor is rich and satisfying.

Roasting a 10 lb pork shoulder does require patience, but the wait is well worth it. Just be sure to allot the full roasting time for the size of your roast and the oven temperature you use. Letting it rest before carving also helps ensure ideal, juicy results.

With minimal preparation, your oven does all the work. Roast pork shoulder makes wonderful leftovers for dishes like tacos, chili, sandwiches, soups and more. This is a thrifty cut that feeds a crowd, with huge rewards in taste and texture when roasted properly.

how long to roast a 10 lb pork shoulder

Pork Shoulder Roasts: Bone-In versus Boneless Pork

When making this recipe, I wasn’t sure whether to get the boneless or bone-in pork shoulder roast.

I’ve always heard that the bone-in pork shoulder roast would yield a more flavorful dish.

So, as you can see for this recipe, I decided to go with a bone-in pork shoulder. I think any cut of pork roast with the bone in will do.

But here’s what happened: I bought a pork shoulder roast with the plan of roasting it in the oven, but I didn’t have a recipe for roasting a bone-in pork shoulder in the oven.

how long to roast a 10 lb pork shoulder

How to Prepare a Pork Shoulder Roast

A pork shoulder typically has a thick skin on it.

You’ll want to rinse it off first and pat it dry with paper towels.

Then, score the skin with a sharp knife (make deep slashes in it).

This allows the spice rub to soak into the meat.

The spice mixture is a dry rub of simple ingredients. Place the spice rub on the exterior of the pork skin, thoroughly coating it.

If you want to roast meat, leave the fat cap on. This thick layer of fat soaks into the meat and keeps it moist, making it tender. (Otherwise, you’ll end up with a dried out pork roast, which won’t be nearly as delicious. ).

After you are done roasting the pork, you can peel that thick layer of skin (and fat) off. But if you enjoy the crispy skin, it’s yummy!.

I didn’t think it looked good enough to eat, but I’m sure some of you would love the taste.

I didn’t toss it! I used it as a flavor enhancer for my roasted Brussels sprouts.

How long does it take to cook a 10 lb Boston butt at 250 degrees?

FAQ

How long does it take to cook a 10 pound pork shoulder?

Oven Roasting: A slow-roasted pork shoulder can be cooked in a roasting pan at 325°F (163°C) for about 25-30 minutes per pound, so for a 10 lb pork shoulder, that would be about 4 to 5 hours to cook in the oven. Resist the urge to cook it at a high temperature!

How long to cook a 10 lb pork roast at 325?

Pre-heat oven to 325F (163C). Bake pork roast in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 25-30 MINUTES *PER POUND* (55-66 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

What is the best temperature to cook a pork shoulder?

Pork shoulder and ribs should be cooked for a long time at a temperature at or below 275°F until the meat is tender. For this reason, these cuts are often used in slow-cooker recipes because the slow cooker gently cooks the meat at a lower temperature for hours at a time.