When cooking pork shoulder or pork butt for pulled pork, allowing the meat to rest before pulling or shredding is an important step that should not be skipped. Resting the pork allows time for the juices to redistribute through the meat, helping keep it moist and flavorful. So how long should you let pork shoulder rest? Here is a closer look at why resting is key and how long you need to rest pork shoulder before pulling.
Why Should Pork Shoulder Rest Before Pulling?
There are two main reasons you want to let pork shoulder rest after cooking and before pulling it:
- Allows juices to redistribute – As the pork cooks, the juices get pushed out to the edges and surface. If you slice or pull the pork right away, those juices can come gushing out and be lost. Resting gives time for the juices to slowly redistribute back into the meat.
- Makes it easier to pull – Pork shoulder cooked low and slow gets very tender and pullable. However, if you try pulling it immediately after cooking, it may still be a bit more “sticky” and not pull apart as cleanly and easily. Resting allows the proteins to relax and finish breaking down, making shredding much easier.
So in summary, resting keeps the pork shoulder moist and flavorful and helps it pull cleanly into juicy, tender shreds.
How Long Should You Rest Pork Shoulder?
In general, you’ll want to rest pork shoulder for at least 30 minutes up to 1 hour before pulling. The larger the piece of meat, the longer the rest time you’ll need. Here are some more specific resting time guidelines:
- Pork shoulder under 5 lbs – Rest at least 30 minutes
- Pork shoulder 5-8 lbs – Rest 45-60 minutes
- Pork shoulder over 8 lbs – Rest 1 hour or longer
You want the internal temperature to cool from around 200-205°F down to around 170°F before pulling. This allows plenty of carryover cooking and time for the juices to redistribute.
What’s the Best Way to Rest Pork Shoulder?
Here are some tips for the best way to rest pork shoulder before serving:
- Leave it uncovered – Don’t tent or wrap the pork while resting. You want the steam to escape so the outside doesn’t get soggy.
- Let juices accumulate – Have the pork rest over a plate or pan to catch any expelled juices.
- Keep it warm – You can wrap a towel around the pork or keep it near (but not in) a warm oven.
- Monitoring temp – Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temp as it cools.
By keeping the pork shoulder unrestrained while resting, it allows the meat to continue cooking gently and uniformly as the temperatures equalize.
Should You Rest Pork Shoulder in the Fridge?
You do not need to put the pork shoulder in the fridge while resting. At this point, the pork is fully cooked and the hot temperatures will not affect food safety. Leaving it out allows for carryover cooking and better redistribution of juices.
However, if you do need to let the pork rest for longer than 1-2 hours before serving, then placing it in the fridge is recommended to prevent bacteria growth. Just be sure to let it come back up closer to room temp before pulling so that it pulls apart easily and absorbs any accumulated juices.
What About Resting Other Cuts and Types of Pork?
While pork shoulder benefits greatly from resting, other types of pork may not need as long of a resting time. Here are some general guidelines for other cuts:
Chops and Tenderloin
- Rest for at least 5 minutes
- Up to 10 minutes for very thick chops
Ribs
- Rest for 15-20 minutes
Roasts
- Rest for 15-30 minutes depending on size
The more dense and thicker the cut of pork, the longer the rest time needed. Thinner cuts like chops do not retain as much heat and juices, so they can be served after a shorter rest.
Serving and Storing Leftover Pulled Pork
Once you’ve pulled the pork, you’ll want to serve it right away for maximum tenderness and moisture. If you do have leftovers, here are some storage tips:
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate within 2 hours in shallow containers.
- Use leftover pulled pork within 3-4 days.
- Reheat gently in the microwave with a splash of liquid until warmed through.
- You can also freeze pulled pork for longer storage. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
By properly resting your pork shoulder before pulling, you’ll end up with juicy, flavorful pulled pork that is a hit at any gathering. Just be sure to account for the rest time when timing out the cooking process. Low and slow cooking paired with a good long rest makes for pull-apart tender shredded pork every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should pork shoulder be covered when resting?
No, pork shoulder should rest uncovered. Covering it can cause steam to build up and make the exterior soggy. Leaving it uncovered allows moisture to escape so the outside remains properly crisped or caramelized.
Can you rest pork shoulder in a cooler?
Yes, placing the pork in an empty cooler is an easy way to let it rest for longer periods while keeping it warm. Just don’t seal the cooler completely so steam can still escape.
Is resting pork shoulder necessary?
Yes! Skipping the resting time can lead to dry, stringy pulled pork. Those juices need time to redistribute back into the meat for moist, flavorful pulled pork.
Can you pull pork shoulder at too low of a temperature?
Yes, pulling pork before it has cooled enough can cause it to not shred properly and lead to mushy, unappealing texture. Always let the internal temp reduce to around 170°F before pulling.
How do you keep pork shoulder warm while resting?
You can loosely tent foil over it, wrap in towels, place near a warm oven or use a faux cambro (cooler) to help keep pork shoulder warm while resting for extended periods.
The Importance of Properly Resting Pork Shoulder
Resting pork shoulder after cooking and before pulling or shredding is a crucial step that should never be skipped. Here’s a quick summary of why:
- Allows juices to redistribute back into the meat for moistness.
- Makes it easier to pull or shred.
- Helps carryover cooking evenly finish.
- 30-60 minutes rest time based on size.
- Rest uncovered to allow steam to escape.
By being patient and allowing your cooked pork shoulder time to rest, you are rewarded with the most tender, juicy pulled pork possible. The wait is well worth it!