The Best Crispy Baked Pork Shoulder Recipe – delicious baked pork shoulder for pulled pork with a crispy crunchy crust – makes the best pulled pork ever!

When you think of pork shoulder, you usually think “slow and low”.

It’s the way we’ve been told to make pulled pork forever – cook it for a very long time at low heat to let the fat render, and meat soften and get incredibly tender.

It’s the most popular way to make pulled pork for a reason – but we’re upping the flavor in this recipe big time by creating a crispy, crunchy crust outside of our tender, delicious pork shoulder that cooks slowly to perfection.

This pork shoulder is delicious in sandwiches, wraps, salads, tacos, burritos – or just straight off the plate – and goes with BBQ sauce or any other type of sauce you’d like.

This pork serves a crowd and is SO easy to make – for the perfect easy keto crunchy pork shoulder dinner that even beginner cooks can master the first time.

If you love pulled pork, but don’t have a smoker or grill, this is our favorite recipe for baked pulled pork – the crunch we add from cooking at high heat, combined with that low and slow baking time – gives this pork that little something extra, and so much more flavor!

And if you’re looking for other easy BBQ classics, be sure too check out my oven baked ribs, easy instant pot ribs, slow cooker ribs, easy smoked brisket, smoked pulled pork, or Crunchy BBQ baked chicken drumsticks, best crunchy baked chicken wings recipes!

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For pulled pork we will be using a pork shoulder/pork butt that should weigh

Pork shoulder and pork butt don’t actually come from the rear end of the pig, but are from the leg and shoulder area.

Pork butt is really the “shoulder” area of the pig, and pork shoulder comes from a little lower down the leg.

Neither come from the rear of the hog – and refer to the front legs, which is kind of confusing!

Normally, we call for pork butt for pulled pork, since there is more delicious marbling – but for this recipe, we specifically call for pork shoulder, so the fat and skin can crisp and give us that amazing crispy crunch!

Making pulled pork in the oven is a great way to get one of your favorite BBQ classics, without a grill or smoker.

Pulled pork is a super-simple preparation, even beginner cooks can feel like a BBQ master with this recipe.

To start, you’ll prep your pork shoulder – seasoning generously.

Then you will bake for approximately 8 hours, until pork is tender and shreds with light pressure from a fork.

Finally, you’ll crisp the pork at 500 degrees for 20-30 minutes to get an amazing out of this world crispy, salty crunchy skin!

This recipe is incredibly easy because it doesn’t require many ingredients (just salt, pepper, pork, and optional spices) – OR kitchen equipment (a baking sheet, oven, foil, and roasting rack/metal rack) are all you need.

To get this pork to come out perfect – juicy and tender with a crunchy crust – you need to follow the method below.

Just remember – cook slow and low to perfection – then hot and fast for a perfect crispy crunch!

• After seasoning generously, slowly roast pork shoulder for about 8 hours.
• If you’re having a party and serving pulled pork, you can do this step the day before and keep the pork shoulder in the refrigerator.
• Remove pork from oven and tent with foil, at least for 20 minutes but up to two hours.
• Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Let oven fully preheat, since we want pork to crisp evenly and quickly.
• Cook 20-30 minutes at 500, rotating pork shoulder and flipping occasionally so that you get a nice, even layer of crispy crunch!
• One pork is crispy, crunchy, and evenly blistered, let rest until it is cool enough to comfortably touch.
• Pick/shred/pull pork meat and serve immediately.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to six days in the refrigerator, or up to four months in the freezer.

Pork shoulder is a great option for people following a low carb diet – but you do need to be sure to watch any pork rubs, seasonings, and even sauces after your pork is cooked, since they can add hidden carbs.

To make your crunchy baked pork shoulder keto, please follow these tips:

• Golden monkfruit sugar can be used as a brown sugar substitute at a 1:1 ratio. It isn’t an exact replacement since you won’t get the rich caramel flavor but it works and keeps your macros in check.
• Reduce garlic and onion powders in a rub mix if you are strictly limiting carbs, as they can contain more than other spices.
• Watch BBQ sauce when serving – BBQ sauce can be loaded with carbs and sugar.

Make sure to grab a low carb sauce (vinegar and mustard based sauces often have less carbs, as does Alabama white sauce – make sure to grab a keto approved version of Kansas City style sauce if you want a traditional pulled pork sweet BBQ sauce.)

To serve this crunchy baked pork shoulder, I usually just treat it as pulled pork – shredding it and serving with buns, sauce, coleslaw, and other toppings for guests to make pulled pork sandwiches.

If you’re making this crispy pork shoulder for a party and serving pulled pork sandwiches, I’m listing some of my favorite pulled pork sandwich ideas below:

• Korean BBQ pulled pork sandwiches – toss pulled pork with Korean BBQ sauce and top with kimchi or favorite asian slaw.
• Combine pork with green chili enchilada sauce and top with monterey jack cheese, shredded lettuce, and jalapeños for a spicy pulled pork sandwich.
• Toss pulled pork in BBQ sauce and top with crispy fried onion strings and shredded iceburg lettuce and a slice of tomato.

This pulled pork is so delicious, you’ll want to eat it right out of the oven – but I’m sharing some of my easy meal ideas with pulled pork:

• Pulled pork hash browns – combine hash browns, a diced onion and diced bell pepper, and pulled pork and pan fry for a delicious pork breakfast skillet. Top with a fried egg for even more flavor!
• Pulled pork mac and cheese – top creamy and delicious mac and cheese with shredded pulled pork!
• Pulled pork tacos – add pulled pork, hot sauce, salsa, beans, and cheese for meaty pulled pork tacos.

This pork shoulder goes with your favorite BBQ classics – but I’m sharing some of my favorite sides to go along with this crunchy pulled pork I think you’ll love:

• The Best Deviled Egg Recipes Ever
• Blistered Shishito Peppers
• The Best Creamy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
• Easy Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
• The Best Easy Oven Roasted Asparagus Recipe
• Easy Sautéed Squash and Zucchini Recipe
• The Best Easy Keto Garlic Butter Rolls Recipe
• Restaurant Style Instant Pot Pinto Beans
• Brown Butter Bacon Baked Brussels Sprouts Recipe
• Cheesy Chicken Taquito and Bean Casserole Recipe

For another knockout game day pork shoulder recipe, please check out my green chile pork carnitas. They are so delicious in tacos, and are also low carb and keto!

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If you loved this crunchy pulled pork, be sure to check out some of my other popular posts!

Many are low carb, all are easy and packed with flavor the whole family will love.