How Long to Cook an 11 lb Pork Shoulder for Mouthwatering Pulled Pork

Smoking or roasting an 11 lb pork shoulder makes for incredibly moist, fall-off-the-bone pulled pork But determining the proper cook time is essential Pork shoulder contains a high amount of fat and connective tissue that needs ample time to break down. Undercook it and you’ll end up with tough, chewy meat. Cook it too long and the pork will become mushy and stringy.

So how long should you cook an 11 lb pork shoulder? Here are some general guidelines based on popular cooking methods:

Oven Roasted

Low and slow at 250°F: About 11-12 hours total
Moderate heat at 300°F: Around 9 hours
High heat at 350°F: Approximately 7 hours

Cook times vary based on temperature, Lower oven temps are recommended for best texture

Smoker

225-250°F smoker: Roughly 16-18 hours
“Hot and fast” at 300°F: Around 11 hours

The low and slow method allows more time for smoke to penetrate and collagen to break down.

Slow Cooker/Crock Pot

Low setting: Around 16-17 hours
High setting: Approximately 10-12 hours

A slow cooker makes pulled pork a breeze. Just add seasoning and let it cook all day.

Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker

High pressure: 90 minutes total
Natural release: Allow 10-15 minutes before quick releasing

Pressure cooking dramatically reduces cook time regardless of size. Always natural release pork shoulder.

Exact cook times vary based on the specific cut and shape of the meat. Here are more details on cooking an 11 lb pork shoulder using popular methods:

Oven Roasting an 11 lb Pork Shoulder

Oven roasting allows the pork shoulder to become incredibly tender:

Prep the meat: Coat the pork shoulder with spices, salt, pepper, etc. Allow to marinate for added flavor.
Use a roasting pan: Place the pork on a rack in a pan which promotes air flow.
Cook time: At 250°F, estimate 1 hour per lb, so 11 hours for an 11 lb roast. For pulled pork, cook until 200-205°F.
Higher temp: Cook at 300°F to reduce time, but tenderness may decrease slightly.
Check temp: Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness. Rest 10 minutes before pulling.
Add liquid (optional): Water, broth, beer in the pan prevents drying out.

![Roast pork shoulder][]

<p class=”caption”>Roasting low and slow results in incredibly tender, pull-apart pork shoulder. Image from <a href=”https://dadwithapan.com/perfect-roast-pork-shoulder/”>Dad with a Pan</a></p>

Roasting at a low 250°F for about 1 hour per pound yields amazing shredded pork with minimal effort.

Smoking an 11 lb Pork Shoulder

Smoking infuses pork shoulder with incredible flavor. Different methods impact total cook time.

Traditional Low and Slow Smoking

For authentic smoked pulled pork, cook at 225-250°F:

Estimate 1-1.5 hours per lb. An 11 lb shoulder takes 16-18 hours.
Use wood chips/chunks for smoke flavor. Opt for mellow wood like apple or cherry.
Once the meat is on, the smoker temp settles around 225-250°F.
Cook until an internal temp of 205°F. At this point the pork shreds easily.
Allow the pork to rest 30+ minutes before pulling.

This slow smoking method properly breaks down collagen for ultimate tenderness.

Hot and Fast Smoking

Cooking at a higher 275-300°F reduces total cook time:

For an 11 lb pork shoulder, expect around 11 hours at 300°F.
Check internal temp after about 9-10 hours. Cook until 205°F.
Use wood for smoke flavor, but less is needed with shorter cook times.
Wrap in foil once bark sets, around 160°F internal temp.
Allow pork to rest wrapped 30+ minutes before shredding.

The hot and fast method still yields tasty pulled pork in a lot less time.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Using a crockpot makes 11 lb pork shoulder super simple:

Prep: Rub seasonings all over the pork shoulder. Refrigerate overnight.
Cook on Low for about 1-1.5 hours per lb, so 16-17 hours for an 11 lb roast.
For quicker cooking, use High setting for around 10-12 hours.
Add liquid like broth, beer, etc. This bastes the meat and makes a yummy sauce.
Shred once completely tender and mix with cooking liquid.

The slow cooker does all the work for incredibly moist and flavorful pulled pork.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

The Instant Pot significantly reduces 11 lb pork shoulder cook time:

Season: Coat pork pieces all over with your favorite spice rub. Brown in batches first if desired.
Pressure cook: Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 90 minutes TOTAL cook time.
Natural release: Allow pressure to come down naturally 10-15 mins before quick release.
Check doneness: Meat should shred easily. If undercooked, add 15-30 mins pressure.
Shred: Once completely tender, shred pork and mix with pan juices.

Thanks to high pressure, cook time stays short regardless of size. Just be sure to natural release the pressure.

Tips for Moist, Tender Pulled Pork

Here are some extra tips for mouthwatering pulled pork:

Add spices like brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, and vinegar for flavor.
Gently shred along the grain using two forks. Don’t rush and end up with stringy meat.
Toss or drizzle pulled pork with your favorite BBQ sauce before serving.
Pile juicy pulled pork onto buns for incredible sandwiches.
Mix pulled pork with baked beans or eggs for hearty breakfast burritos.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for later.

With the right timing and temperature, an 11 lb pork shoulder transforms into the most insanely delicious and succulent pulled pork imaginable. The key is allowing enough time for the fat and collagen to break down properly. Adjust the seasonings to your taste preferences. Then enjoy the pork in tacos, sandwiches, nachos, salads, and more!

I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder

FAQ

How long do you cook an 11 lb pork shoulder?

For a whole shoulder it takes 1hr per pound – so expect a 17-18 hour cook. I smoke the pork shoulder with hickory wood until it gets a nice bark on the outside and hits around 150-160 internal. At that point I wrap the pork shoulder and cook until it hits 192 internal.

How long to cook a 10 lb pork shoulder at 350 degrees?

Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the ideal cooking temperature. This moderate heat allows the pork shoulder to cook evenly without drying out. As a rule of thumb, cook the bone-in pork shoulder for 20 minutes per pound.

How long should a 12 pound pork shoulder take at 225?

At 225, figure roughly 2 hours per pound of meat, so the same piece of smoked pork shoulder takes from 12- 16 hours at 225.

How long to roast a 10 lb pork shoulder at 250?

Carefully place the pork shoulder in the preheated oven and let it cook for approximately 4 hours. As a general guideline, calculate around 40-45 minutes per pound of meat to ensure thorough cooking.

How long do you cook a pork shoulder in the oven?

An easy, slow roasted pork shoulder cooked in the oven over low heat. Place pork shoulder on a rack in a roasting pan. Mix garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano and olive oil in a small bowl. Rub all over the pork shoulder. Roast, uncovered, at 450 F for 45 minutes.

How long do you cook a bone in pork shoulder roast?

This low and slow cooking method allows the fat to render and the collagen to break down, resulting in a tender and juicy roast. Roasting at a temperature of 325°F (163°C) for approximately 25 minutes per pound is recommended. How do I prepare the bone-in pork shoulder roast before cooking?

How do you cook a boneless pork shoulder?

Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 325°F. Trim off any large pieces of fat from the outside of a 4 to 6 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt (or 5 to 7 pounds bone-in), but leave small pieces and the interior fat. If using boneless pork, cut the pork into several large fist-sized pieces.

How long do you cook a pound of pork?

Put the pork in a large roasting pan, skin-side-up. You do not need a rack in the pan. Add about half an inch of broth to the pan. Roast uncovered until the internal temperature is 180°F, 45 to 55 minutes per pound. This may seem high for pork but your goal is really tender, slow-cooked pork, almost like the texture of pulled pork.