Introduction

This easy roast pork shoulder recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with crispy crackling that’s perfect for a comforting family meal. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s a fantastic choice for any occasion.

Easy Roast Pork Shoulder with Crispy Crackling Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2kg pork shoulder joint
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1½ tsp fine sea salt
1 large onion, sliced

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 240°C (220°C fan/gas mark 9). Remove all packaging from the pork, keeping the string intact, and pat the skin dry with kitchen paper. Score deep cuts into the skin in a diamond pattern, cutting into the fat. If the skin is already scored, ensure the cuts are dry and can be easily opened.
Step 2: Rub the vegetable oil into the skin, working it well into each cut. Sprinkle the sea salt evenly over the skin and rub it into the cuts as well.
Step 3: Scatter the sliced onions in the base of a large roasting tin and place the pork shoulder joint on top.
Step 4: Roast the pork for 20–30 minutes until the skin starts to blister and bubble. Meanwhile, boil a kettle of water.
Step 5: Pour half a kettle of boiling water around the joint to cover the base of the tin, being careful not to wet the skin. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C (160°C fan/gas mark 4).
Step 6: Roast the pork for 2 hours and 30 minutes, or until the meat beneath the skin is very tender when pressed. You can extend cooking up to 3 hours if needed to ensure tenderness.
Step 7: Increase the oven temperature back to 220°C (220°C fan/gas mark 7) and roast for 20–25 minutes until the skin is crisp and brittle when tapped with a knife. If necessary, roast for an additional 10 minutes to reach the desired crackling texture.
Step 8: Remove the pork from the oven and rest it in the tin for 20 minutes, loosely covered with foil.
Step 9: Carefully lift the crackling off in large pieces and break it into smaller chunks. Carve the meat and serve alongside the crackling and your favorite sides.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispy crackling, ensure the pork skin is thoroughly dried before scoring and roasting.
You can add herbs like rosemary or thyme to the onions in the roasting tin for additional aroma.
Serve with roasted vegetables or apple sauce to complement the rich pork flavors.

Storage

Store any leftover roast pork and crackling in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat the meat gently in the oven covered with foil to keep it moist, and crisp up the crackling separately under a grill or in a hot oven for a few minutes.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the pork shoulder in advance?

Yes, you can score and season the pork the day before and keep it covered in the fridge to allow the flavors to develop and ensure the skin dries out for better crackling.

What if my pork skin isn’t crisping up?

If the skin remains soft, increase the oven temperature and roast for longer while watching carefully to avoid burning. Also, make sure the skin was dried well before cooking and that no water dripped on it during roasting.

Easy Roast Pork Shoulder with Crispy Crackling Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 110 reviews

This easy roast pork shoulder recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with incredibly crispy crackling. Using simple ingredients and a straightforward roasting method, the pork is cooked low and slow to ensure moisture retention, then finished off with a high-heat blast for perfectly crackled skin. A bed of onions flavors the meat gently, making it ideal for a comforting family dinner or special occasion.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Roasting
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Seasoning

2kg pork shoulder joint
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1½ tsp fine sea salt

Additional

1 large onion, sliced

Instructions

Prepare the Oven: Preheat your oven to 240C (220C fan)/gas mark 9 to ensure it is hot enough to begin crisping the pork skin.
Prep the Pork: Remove any packaging and pat the pork shoulder skin very dry with kitchen paper. Score the skin deeply in a diamond pattern using a sharp knife, cutting into the fat beneath. If already scored, ensure cuts are dry and open. Rub the vegetable oil thoroughly into the skin and scores, then sprinkle evenly with the fine sea salt, rubbing it in well.
Set up the Roasting Tin: Scatter the sliced onions evenly over the base of a large roasting tin to create a flavorful bed for the pork. Place the prepared pork shoulder on top, skin side up.
Initial High-heat Roast: Place the roasting tin with pork in the hot oven and roast for 20-30 minutes, or until the skin begins to bubble and blister, which initiates the crackling process. Meanwhile, boil a kettle of water.
Add Water and Reduce Heat: Carefully pour half a kettle of boiling water around the joint into the roasting tin, making sure it does not splash onto the skin. This water helps keep the meat moist during the slow cook. Lower the oven temperature to 180C (160C fan)/gas mark 4.
Slow Roast: Continue roasting for 2 hours 30 minutes, or until the meat is very tender when pressed. The low temperature allows the fat to render properly while the pork remains juicy. Extend cooking by up to 30 minutes if needed, depending on tenderness.
Final Crisping: Increase the oven temperature back to 220C (220C fan)/gas mark 7 and roast for another 20-25 minutes until the skin becomes very crisp and brittle to the touch. If crackling is not quite ready, continue roasting in 10-minute increments to achieve the perfect texture.
Rest the Meat: Remove the pork from the oven, cover loosely with foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes in the roasting tin. This resting period allows juices to redistribute for moist, flavorful meat.
Serve: Remove the crackling in large pieces and break into smaller chunks. Carve the pork shoulder and serve alongside the crispy crackling and your favorite side dishes.

Notes

Patting the skin dry and scoring deeply are key steps to achieving crackling.
Adding boiling water around the joint prevents the meat from drying out during slow cooking.
Resting the pork after cooking helps retain the juices for tender meat.
You can add herbs like rosemary or garlic in the onion bed for extra flavor, if desired.

Keywords: roast pork shoulder, pork crackling, easy roast pork, crispy pork skin, oven roasted pork shoulder