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Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

This Oven Roasted Pulled Pork recipe comes out so flavorful and tender. You only need 15 minutes of prep time and a delicious homemade seasoning and you will end up with the tastiest pulled pork ever!

A FLAVORFUL, TENDER PULLED PORK RECIPE

My family loves pulled pork! I have so many ways to make it that I have published on here already. I make it in a slow cooker, in the instant pot or in a smoker – you name it and I can cook some pork in it (see my links below for those recipes)! But I often have folks tell me they don’t have any of those appliances so they want to know how best to make it in an oven. Well now I have an oven recipe for you! Top this tender meat off with some of your favorite bbq sauce or make a Homemade BBQ Sauce and you are in for a treat!

Close up looking at a plate of Oven Roasted Pulled Pork with bbq sauce drizzled on.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S) 

Can I make this with a bone in pork shoulder?

Sure thing! Just remember that when using a bone-in pork shoulder, the meat will need to be cooked to the same temperature, but the cooking time may change. And, you need to make sure that you use your meat thermometer appropriately when checking the internal temp. The thermometer should not touch the bone when taking a reading, or you’ll get a false temperature. It needs to go into the thickest part of the meat without touching a bone to be accurate.

What if I don’t want to use beer?

No problem. We don’t like beer and I use it in this. You don’t taste it as a separate ingredient. Instead of beer, try Coca Cola, Dr Pepper or Root Beer. I’d stick to the regular versions of these. I don’t know why but the diet versions just don’t seem to make it taste as good as the regular versions and people complain of a weird taste any time I have tried to use diet soda. I’m not sure if it’s the artificial sweetener or what. Also, if you don’t want a soda, you could try beef or chicken broth. But, I think beer or soda is preferable.

Is slathering the pork in mustard necessary?

Yes, don’t skip the slathering in mustard step before cooking. It helps to enhance its flavor and tenderize the meat. Mustard acts as a natural marinade. The acidity of the mustard helps to break down the proteins in the pork, making it more tender and juicy. This is especially helpful when cooking in the oven. When combined with other spices and seasonings, the mustard creates a delicious and unique taste that complements the flavors of the pork.

What to serve with Pulled Pork?

If you look in my pictures, you’ll see I served potato salad with it. You can turn the pork into sandwiches, use it on nachos, in tacos, etc. We also love it with cole slaw and baked beans.

Can I use a different rub seasoning?

Yes, you can use a different seasoning mixture if desired. I’d say to use 1/4 cup of it. However, you need to remember that with the seasonings I chose, there’s no sugar since we are cooking the shoulder faster at a higher temperature. If we added sugar, we would raise the risk of burning the outside of the pork. If using a different rub or seasoning mixture, choose one without sugar. Other seasonings that you could try are cayenne pepper, sweet paprika, chili powder, and mustard powder.

How do I keep my pork moist when serving?

Once you’ve cooked the meat, reserve some cooking liquid. When done shredding the meat, pour the extra liquid over it to help keep it moist while serving.

How to store leftover Oven Roasted Pork?

Transfer cooled leftover pulled pork to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to 3 days. Freeze it for up to 3 months for longer storage.

How to reheat leftovers?

Place leftovers in a foil packet and add a few tablespoons of water or reserved cooking liquid if you have any left. Seal the foil packet and place it on a baking sheet. Place in an over at 350 for 15-20 minutes, until it’s warmed through again. Using a microwave may dry it out too fast and change the texture.

Can I make this in the Crockpot? Instant Pot? Smoker?

Yes, yes, and yes to all! I have a bunch of other Pulled Pork recipes for you to try. Check all of these options out below:
Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Smoked Pulled Pork
Crock Pot Eastern Carolina Pulled Pork

A large plate of Oven Roasted Pulled with a side dish.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)

  • boneless pork shoulder – can use bone-in but see FAQ section for cooking tips
  • yellow mustard – you could even use a dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard to kick it up a notch.
  • smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, cumin – see my FAQ’s above about different types of seasoning you can use.
  • beer (use your favorite) or don’t use it at all. See my FAQ’s above for substitutions.
  • bbq sauce– to serve. You can use your favorite bottle or if you want to try it homemade, I have a really good homemade bbq sauce recipe.
Boneless pork shoulder, beer, salt, mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, thyme, cumin, and bbq sauce.

HOW TO MAKE OVEN ROASTED PULLED PORK

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Using paper towels, pat the pork shoulder dry (this just helps everything stick better to the meat.) Brush all over with the mustard. You can use a pastry brush or just rub it on with your clean fingers. 

collage of two photos: a hand holding a paper towel drying off a pork shoulder; mustard rubbed all over a pork shoulder.

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, and cumin until combined. Sprinkle the spice mix all over with the pork shoulder and make sure to use it all. Do your best to pat it in with your hands so it sticks.

collage of two photos: pulled pork seasonings in a bowl; seasoning spread all over pork shoulder.

Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a roaster pan or large baking dish with deep sides. Next, pour the beer all around the shoulder (not on top so you don’t accidentally rinse off the seasoning.) 

collage of two photos: seasoned pork in a roasting pan; pouring beer around the sides of the pork shoulder.

Cover the pan with foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the meat. Bake for 3 ½ – 4 hours until an internal temperature reaches 203°F. Take off the foil the last 30 minutes of cooking to brown. Allow the meat to rest for 30 minutes before placing it on a sheet tray and shredding it. Don’t skip this part! Discard any large chunks of fat.

collage of two photos: fully cooked pork shoulder; shredded pork on a baking sheet.

Sprinkle the shredded meat evenly with 1 teaspoon of salt and toss to combine. Serve immediately with bbq sauce of your choice.

An Oven Roasted Pulled Pork Sandwich with a few fries in front.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES? 

Close up looking at some Oven Roasted Pulled Pork on a plate.

Oven Roasted Pulled Pork

This Oven Roasted Pulled Pork recipe comes out so flavorful and tender. You only need 15 minutes of prep time and a delicious homemade seasoning and you will end up with the tastiest pulled pork ever!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 pound boneless pork shoulder
  • ¼ cup yellow mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 12 ounce bottle beer (use your favorite)

To serve:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Using paper towels, pat a 6 pound boneless pork shoulder dry (this just helps everything stick better to the meat.)
    A hand holding a paper towel drying off a pork shoulder.
  • Brush all over with 1/4 cup yellow mustard. You can use a pastry brush or just rub it on with your clean fingers.
    Mustard rubbed all over a pork shoulder.
  • In a small bowl, mix together 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme and 1 teaspoon ground cumin until combined.
    A mixing bowl with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, thyme, and cumin.
  • Sprinkle the spice mix all over with the pork shoulder and make sure to use it all. Do your best to pat it in with your hands so it sticks.
    seasoned boneless pork shoulder roast.
  • Place the seasoned pork shoulder into a roaster pan or large baking dish with deep sides.
    Seasoned pork in a roasting pan.
  • Next, pour 12 ounce bottle beer all around the shoulder (not on top so you don’t accidentally rinse off the seasoning.)
    Beer being poured from a measuring cup around a seasoned pork shoulder.
  • Cover the pan with foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the meat.
  • Bake for 3 ½ – 4 hours until an internal temperature reaches 203°F. Take off the foil the last 30 minutes of cooking to brown.
    A baked pork shoulder in a pan.
  • Allow the meat to rest for 30 minutes before placing it on a sheet tray and shredding it. Don’t skip this part! Discard any large chunks of fat.
    Shredded pork on a baking sheet.
  • Sprinkle the shredded meat evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to combine. Serve immediately with bbq sauce of your choice.
    Close up looking at a plate of Oven Roasted Pulled Pork with bbq sauce drizzled on.

Notes

  • Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 572mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    hey brandie, tried the oven pulled pork and it came out great.i used beef broth in place of beer,it came out great!!!
    Thanks for the recipe.
    Mike