Resting a pork shoulder after cooking is an essential step to ensure the meat is juicy, tender and flavorful. The resting time allows the juices to redistribute throughout the pork as it relaxes from the cooking process. Determining the right rest time depends primarily on the size and cooking method used.
Quick Overview
As a quick overview:
- Small pork shoulders (4-6 lbs) need about 15-30 minutes rest time
- Medium pork shoulders (6-8 lbs) need about 30-45 minutes rest time
- Large pork shoulders (8+ lbs) need about 45-60 minutes rest time
- Lower cooking temperatures require longer rest times
- The thicker the cut of meat, the longer the rest time
The most common methods for cooking pork shoulder are roasting, smoking, braising, and slow cooking in a crockpot. Each method requires a different rest time. Let’s look at recommendations for each in more detail.
Resting Times by Cooking Method
Roasted Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder roasted in the oven should rest for about 10-15 minutes per pound. So a 6 lb roasted pork shoulder should rest for 60-90 minutes after removing it from the oven.
The high heat of roasting causes more moisture loss versus lower temperature cooking methods. The longer rest allows the juices to redistribute and reabsorb for a moister finished product. Tenting the pork with foil while resting will help retain heat and moisture.
Smoked Pork Shoulder
Smoking typically takes place at lower temperatures, around 225-250°F. The long, slow cook time allows collagen in the pork to break down into gelatin, keeping the meat very moist and tender. So smoked pork shoulder does not need as long of a rest time as oven roasted.
For smoked pork shoulder, allow about 5-10 minutes per pound of rest time after removing from the smoker. A 10 lb smoked pork shoulder would need about 50-100 minutes of resting time.
Braised Pork Shoulder
Braising pork shoulder involves browning the meat first, then slowly cooking it in liquid for several hours until fall-apart tender. This slow moist-heat method produces very tender, juicy meat that requires less rest time.
For braised pork shoulder, allow about 5 minutes per pound after removing from the oven or braising liquid. So a 3 lb pork shoulder cooks for 2-3 hours in liquid would need about 15 minutes of rest time.
Slow Cooked Pork Shoulder
Using a slow cooker or crockpot to cook pork shoulder also breaks down collagen for tender, juicy meat. The meat cooks for 8-10 hours on low in the moist environment of the slow cooker.
After slow cooking, pork shoulder only needs about 5-10 minutes per pound of rest time. For example, an 8 lb pork shoulder cooked for 10 hours on low would need 40-80 minutes to rest.
Factors that Affect Resting Time
While the cooking method impacts how long to let the pork shoulder rest, there are a few other factors that can increase or decrease the ideal rest time including:
Size of the Pork Shoulder
Larger cuts of meat need longer resting times. A 15 lb bone-in pork shoulder roast requires a longer rest than a 5 lb pork shoulder.
As a general guide:
- Rest small pork shoulder (4-6 lbs) for 15-30 minutes
- Rest medium pork shoulder (6-8 lbs) for 30-45 minutes
- Rest large pork shoulder (8+ lbs) for 45-60 minutes
Cooking Temperature
The lower the cooking temperature, the longer the pork needs to rest. Long smoked or braised pork shoulder cooked between 200-250°F will have a longer rest time than a pork roast cooked at 350°F.
Thickness of the Meat
Bone-in pork shoulder roasts and thicker Boston butt cuts need more time for the juices to redistribute than a thin boneless pork shoulder roast. Allow extra rest time for thicker cuts.
Step-by-Step Resting Method
Follow these steps for properly resting pork shoulder:
- Remove pork from oven, smoker or braising liquid when it reaches 5°F below the target finished temperature. The temperature will continue rising as it rests.
- Tent loosely with aluminum foil to retain heat and moisture.
- Allow to rest on the counter or in a warm oven for recommended time based on size and cooking method.
- During this time, the juices redistribute through the meat for a moist, tender texture.
- Once rested, the pork shoulder is ready to be sliced, shredded or chopped.
Serving and Storing
Carve the pork shoulder as desired and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for 2-3 months.
Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave until heated through. Add BBQ sauce, broth or pan juices for extra moisture.
Conclusion
Allowing pork shoulder to rest after cooking is vital for evenly cooked, moist and tender meat. While rest times vary based on the size, cooking method and thickness of the pork shoulder cut, use these general guidelines:
| Cooking Method | Rest Time |
|---|---|
| Roasted (350°F oven) | 10-15 minutes per pound |
| Smoked (225-250°F) | 5-10 minutes per pound |
| Braised | 5 minutes per pound |
| Slow cooked | 5-10 minutes per pound |
Be sure to tent the pork with foil as it rests to retain heat and moisture. The time spent resting results in the best texture and flavor for an incredible pork shoulder.