Pork butt, often misunderstood as coming from the pig’s rear end, is actually a succulent cut of meat known as pork shoulder. This well-marbled cut is perfect for slow-cooked Sunday dinners or hearty pulled pork tacos.
If you’ve ever savored a tender and flavorful pork dish, chances are it was made with this sought-after cut. To elevate your culinary skills, mastering the art of cooking pork butt is essential.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of methods to try. In fact, I’ve curated thirty-one mouth-watering pork shoulder recipe ideas for you to explore.
Instant Pot Pork Roast
The pork roast remains a timeless favorite among traditional cooking methods, withstood the test of time due to its simplicity and versatility. By leveraging high-pressure cooking in an Instant Pot, you can enjoy this hearty protein on a weeknight without sacrificing flavor or texture. When cooked to tender perfection, it pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice, making it an excellent choice for special occasions. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Instant Pot Caramelized Pork
This Instant Pot pork butt recipe takes caramelization to the next level, infusing the meat with rich flavors and making it irresistibly tender. The result is a harmonious balance of sweetness and savory notes that can elevate any meal when served alongside your preferred side dishes.
Chinese Pork BBQ
Have you ever attempted to create char siu pork at home? This versatile protein is perfect for topping ramen or serving alongside crispy fried noodles. What if I told you that achieving this Chinese culinary delight is not only possible but also incredibly easy, all within the span of just one hour? In fact, my Instant Pot char siu recipe makes it a breeze to prepare and enjoy. And if you’re looking for more pressure cooker inspiration, be sure to check out our other mouthwatering recipes!
Braised Pork in Soy Sauce
Tau Yew Bak, also known as Chinese braised pork, embodies the essence of comfort food. The slow-cooking process tenderizes the marbled meat to perfection, infusing it with an aromatic flavor profile that’s both rich and satisfying. For families in Singapore, this humble dish has earned a special place on their weeknight menus – and for good reason! With its simplicity and ease of preparation, Tau Yew Bak is an accessible culinary delight that can be whipped up using just a handful of ingredients, no culinary expertise required.
Green Pork Tamales
Indulge in the rich flavors of traditional tamales with our scrumptious green pork tamales recipe. The crowning glory is the tangy tomatillo sauce drizzled on top, which perfectly complements the tender shredded pork and the satisfying crunch of fresh corn husks.
Braised Pork Shoulder
Indulge in the rich flavors of this braised pork butt recipe, boasting a velvety sauce infused with French, English, and Italian culinary traditions. This one-pot masterpiece is designed to satisfy even the most discerning palates, perfect for slow-cooking throughout your weekday routine.
Oven Roasted Pork Shoulder
Savoring the rich flavors of oven-roasted pork shoulder, you’ll be treated to a delectable crust of caramelized goodness on the outside, perfectly balanced by tender, marbled meat within. This recipe’s unique blend of spices pays homage to Czech cuisine, making it an ideal pairing with comforting potato dumplings and a side of slow-cooked braised cabbage. Whether you’re seeking a standout main course for a special celebration or a satisfying weeknight dinner, this roast is sure to impress.
Instant Pot Pork Ragu
Indulge in the simplicity and satisfaction of a well-crafted ragu, where tenderly shredded pork meets rich sauce and harmoniously pairs with chewy pasta. This Italian delight can be achieved in just 90 minutes with the help of an Instant Pot, making it a recipe that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates.
Pozole Rojo
For those who crave the bold flavors of Mexico, Pozole Rojo is a must-try recipe. This hearty red soup takes center stage with tender shredded pork shoulder as its star ingredient. A medley of hominy, vegetables, and succulent pork comes together to create a nourishing and warming meal that will leave you craving more.
Country Style Boneless Pork Ribs
Tired of tedious meat-picking exercises while enjoying your rib feast? Fear not, as there’s a game-changing solution! Country-style boneless pork ribs offer an unparalleled culinary experience – they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, dripping with rich flavor and coated in a sticky glaze. Paired with a refreshing side salad or crispy home fries, this delightful dish is sure to become a new favorite.
Pepperoncini Pork Roast
For those with limited time to dedicate to cooking, this recipe is a perfect solution. By adding subtle Greek influences, the dish gains a delightful balance of heat and herbal flavors that are hard to resist. What’s more, this slow cooker recipe requires minimal hands-on work, making it an ideal choice for busy home cooks. Simply set it on low and let it cook for six to eight hours, making it perfect for a leisurely Sunday roast.
Jerk Pernil
Transported from the vibrant flavors of Jamaica, the Jerk Pernil is an unforgettable culinary experience. The carefully crafted spice marinade infuses the pork butt with an intense depth of flavor that balances perfectly with tender, juicy texture. As the sun sets on a warm summer evening, nothing beats the irresistible allure of this smoky, spicy, and subtly sweet masterpiece.
Dutch Oven Pulled Pork
With a Dutch oven at your disposal, you’re just a few steps away from indulging in mouthwatering pulled pork. The unique cooking process within this sealed container ensures that every morsel of pork becomes tender and infused with flavor. This versatile dish can be repurposed into an array of scrumptious creations – think sandwiches, tacos, or even more innovative applications. The possibilities are endless!
Vietnamese Pork Skewers
Thit Nuong, a popular Vietnamese dish, delivers a bold flavor profile in the form of succulent pork skewers. The secret to achieving tender and juicy meat lies in slicing it thinly, allowing for quick cooking and retention of its natural moisture.
Instant Pot Pork Chile Verde
While Chile Verde may require some time to prepare, this recipe streamlines the process, requiring only a few essential ingredients – namely, a tender pork shoulder. This straightforward formula makes it an ideal choice for a relaxing Saturday dinner with family and friends.
Slow Cooker Pork Butt Recipes
Porchetta Spiced Pulled Pork
When it comes to slow-cooked pork, porchetta spiced pulled pork is an exceptional variation that boasts tender and rich flavors. The abundance of spices infuses the dish with a multitude of natural notes, courtesy of fennel seeds, garlic, and rosemary. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, there’s a subtle hint to elevate or temper to taste. This mouthwatering meat recipe is sure to become a staple for dinner tonight.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
In the world of Mexican cuisine, pork carnitas is a staple recipe that deserves a spot in every cook’s repertoire. This mouthwatering dish requires only five minutes of prep time, allowing you to spend the majority of your day on more leisurely pursuits. Simply combine the necessary ingredients in your slow cooker and let the magic unfold over eight hours. The end result is a tender, flavorful pork that’s begging to be piled onto tacos, sandwiches, burritos, or any other culinary creation that strikes your fancy.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Indulge in the ultimate slow-cooked pulled pork burgers, where every strand is bathed in a rich, sweet, and smoky sauce. This recipe requires minimal prep time – simply combine the ingredients and let the magic happen over eight to ten hours, allowing the flavors to meld together in perfect harmony.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
There’s no denying that pulled pork shines in a taco, where its tender strands soak up the sauce like a sponge, beautifully complemented by a pliable shell and a burst of fresh salsa. This delightful combination is sure to please the whole family, making it an excellent choice for a light dinner or snack on a warm summer evening. To elevate the experience, consider serving the tacos with a tangy slaw, some crunchy chopped vegetables, and a squeeze of lime juice.
Beer Pulled Pork
When it comes to pulled pork recipes, beer is an unexpected yet surprisingly effective liquid component. By incorporating beer into the cooking process, you can significantly shorten prep time while elevating the overall flavor profile. This unique combination of ingredients results in a luscious, dark brown sauce that’s equal parts sweet and tangy, thanks to the harmonious union of sugar, mustard, and spices.
Whole30 Pulled Pork
A versatile and convenient option for a Whole30 meal prep protein is pulled pork. By cooking a large batch at once, you can portion it out across multiple days, reducing preparation time and stress throughout the week. To maintain its tenderness and moisture, consider topping with your preferred sauces as needed.
Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
One of Café Rio’s standout features is their mouth-watering pulled pork dish, which can be easily replicated at home with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time. The secret to this sweet and tangy sauce? Coca-Cola! By harnessing the natural sugars and carbonation in the soda, you’ll create a flavor profile that tenderizes the pork while adding depth and stickiness, much like the original recipe. With only six ingredients to worry about, you’ll be whipping up your own Café Rio-style pulled pork sauce in no time.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork in Mojo Sauce
For a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner, look no further than the tantalizing world of mojo sauce! This incredibly versatile condiment has a way of setting up camp on your taste buds, leaving you craving more. And what better way to enjoy it than with a dead-simple slow cooker pulled pork recipe that’s perfect for busy cooks without an abundance of time?
Jamaican Jerk Pork Shoulder
Whether you’re an oven enthusiast or a slow cooker aficionado, this recipe has got you covered with both options available. And when it comes to flavor, this succulent pork is sure to be the star of your next summer get-together. Just be sure to plan ahead, as the pork requires an overnight marinade in jerk spices to achieve its tender, juicy, and fall-apart texture.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Pork Butt
Experience the bold flavors of this pork butt recipe, where the richness of beer meets the smoky heat of chipotle peppers. This slow-cooked masterpiece not only yields tender, fall-apart meat but also provides a convenient meal-prep option – just pull apart the pork and use it in your favorite dishes.
Cherry Coca-Cola Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
When it comes to slow-cooked pulled pork, perfection is all about balance – sweet, sticky, tender, and just a hint of heat. This recipe nails that trifecta, thanks in part to the clever use of cherry Coca-Cola, which breaks down the meat’s connective tissues and infuses it with a deep, caramel-like sweetness. The result is an irresistible pulled pork that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a variety of accompaniments – think sandwiches, salads, or even a baked potato topped with all the fixin’s.
Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork
When it comes to Hawaiian flavors, this recipe truly delivers. The slow-cooked pork is so tender it practically melts in your mouth, with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy notes that will leave you craving more. And the best part? It’s incredibly versatile – not only does it make for a mouthwatering pulled pork sandwich, but it also elevates sticky rice to new heights when used as a topping for a poke bowl.
Smoked Pork Butt Recipes
Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich
Transforming pulled pork into a mouthwatering masterpiece with smoky goodness is a game-changer. Although it requires some extra time and elbow grease, the end result is well worth the investment – a tender, juicy delight that’s sure to impress. To achieve this level of flavor excellence, you’ll need to dedicate about a day to the process, allowing for 12 hours of marinating and another 12 hours of slow-smoking. The payoff is undeniable.
Smoked Tacos Al Pastor
Indulge in the rich flavors of smoked pork tacos, where every bite is a masterclass in juicy, bold, and tantalizing taste. The beauty lies not only in its mouthwatering essence but also in its effortless assembly once your pulled pork is prepped. A thoughtful approach to meal prep can indeed make a world of difference – consider cooking your pulled pork ahead of time to conserve energy for more enjoyable pursuits later on. By doing so, you’ll not only save yourself the hassle of last-minute cooking but also ensure tender and succulent results with the right accompaniment.
Smoked BBQ Pork Sliders
For those seeking an unadulterated smoked pork butt experience, this recipe delivers. By combining a smoker with apple wood chips, you’ll achieve a tender, sweet, and juicy pork that’s perfect for sandwiches. A dry BBQ rub applied to the outside of the pork provides a delightful contrast when served as sliders, especially with a drizzle of tangy barbecue sauce.
Smoked Carnitas
As we bring our exploration of smoked pork shoulder to a close, one of its most delightful manifestations is undoubtedly the carnitas taco. The tender pulled pork provides a rich contrast to the crispy texture of the hard taco shell, creating a match made in heaven. But what truly elevates this dish is the addition of creamy chipotle sauce and crunchy radish slices, which come together to form a harmonious bite that’s sure to leave you craving more.
