⏰ Service 27 — Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder
← Block 21–22: Pork & Charcuterie Overview
Skill: One of the most satisfying large-format cooks in the pork repertoire. The shoulder (Boston butt or picnic) goes into a 300°F oven for 5–6 hours, then gets blasted at 500°F for 20–30 minutes to develop explosive crackling. The result feeds a crowd and requires almost no active cooking — mostly patience.
- Read (and mostly follow): Serious Eats — Ultra-Crispy Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder
- Start by 11 AM. Score the fat cap deeply. Dry brine overnight.
The project spread: Pulled/sliced pork shoulder + whatever sides feel right — slaw, pickled jalapeños, fresh tortillas, or a simple potato salad. This is a meal for the table.
🎥 Compare Notes: Easy Oven-Pulled Pork (Plus Four Ways to Use the Leftovers) — Compare his oven temperature and internal temp target to yours — two different paths to the same falling-apart shoulder, and the differences are instructive.