My favorite meat is smoked pork shoulder. The end. That is all. I confessed. I feel better. This smoked pork shoulder recipe is slow cooked to perfection which makes the meat tender and delicious!
Wait…!
Why do I have to confess that my favorite meat is smoked pork shoulder? There is no one breathing down my neck demanding to know my favorite meat. And Christopher knows very well that it is my favorite. Ask him, he will tell you that I say it every time I eat this glorious food.
I should probably stop doing that.
Probably.
I wonder if that will really happen?
Probably not.
Sorry Christopher.
On to the Smoked Pork Shoulder recipe
I grab my trusty crockpot
and put some brown sugar on the bottom of the ceramic insert. I press it down and smile as I am doing it because – anticipation, my dear friends, anticipation! I save a little of the sugar for the top of the meat.
*I do the smoked pork shoulder shuffle, which resembles the hustle, but in a very small space.*
Next, comes the smoked pork shoulder picnic cut. The one I bought (pictured below) is 6 pounds. I’m so glad the store sells smoked shoulder in a smaller size. My sister cooks a HUGE shoulder. Hers is usually 9 – 10 pounds. But, since it’s just C and I, 6 pounds will do, nicely. And the fun thing is I’ll have enough leftovers to make a pea soup.
I take my shoulder out of its packaging and plop it right on top of the brown sugar.
Peek a boo! Getting closer. Yah and a big HOO!
The smoked pork shoulder is screaming, “Give me some sugar, baby! Some shu-gah!”
Soooo, I take the rest of the brown sugar and play patty cake with the top of the smoked pork shoulder.
Now, I cover the crockpot and set the temperature to high and the timer to 4.5 hours.
Anticipation of Smoked Pork Shoulder
I grab a chair, drag it over to the crockpot and sit and stare at the timer. It’s mesmerizing. Actually it’s boring, so, I get up and go about my day. That’s not to say that I don’t take sneak peeks at the timer, because I do.
It takes at least 2 hours for the brown sugar to melt, so don’t get nervous. There isn’t any need to baste the smoked pork shoulder, so leave it covered!
Two more hours pass and DING! My favorite sound in the whole wide world.
I gallop to the crockpot and whip the cover off, spraying the condensation that accrued on the cover in a pretty arc.
I grab my big forks and stab the shoulder, lift it out of the crockpot and place it on a platter. The smoked pork shoulder has to rest at least 15 minutes before I can cut into it.
How unfair is that?
Look at that juice, PEOPLE!! Is anyone else as happy as I am this very minute? I think not, I think not!
So, 15 minutes drags on and on and on and on but I persevere and can finally cut into the shoulder. Now it is ready to eat.
I pour the juice from the bottom of the crockpot into a little gravy boat. Then I plate the meat with some roasted carrots and potatoes and scream for Christopher. He comes thundering down the stairs and skids to a stop right behind his chair. He sits, grinning in anticipation.
I place his plate in front of him, take off my apron and sit in front of my plate.
I look happily at Christoper and we both dig in. The rest is history.
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I hope you enjoy this smoked pork shoulder recipe as much as I do! And please leave me a comment if you are so inclined as I’d love to hear from you. Tell me what your favorite meat is!
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And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
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Smoked pork shoulder is my very favorite meat and I love it prepared this way!
- 3.5 pound smoked pork shoulder picnic
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- In the bottom of your crockpot, pat down most of the brown sugar
- Place unwrapped smoked shoulder on top of the brown sugar
- Pat the rest of the brown sugar on the smoked shoulder
- Cover crockpot and set the timer for 4 hours on high
- Wait patiently
- Once the timer dings, take the shoulder out and place on a platter
- Let sit for 15 minutes
- Slice
- Plate
- Do a happy dance
- Eat
- Enjoy
This smoked picnic is wonderful, just as you said. I do have one question. My piece was a half picnic at 3.5 lb. and 4 hours was perfect. If I were to cook a whole one at about 7 lbs, how long would I need to cook it? Would it be 8 hours? (I will make some wonderful pea soup with the bone.)
Hi Betty,
I’m glad you like the recipe. If you cook a 7 lb picnic it should take the same amount of time, so check it at 4 hours but it might be 5 at the very most. I find that 4 hours on high is perfect. Good luck. And I love pea soup! Yummers.
I think this is my favorite meat too! Great recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks Joyce. Yay! A kindred spirit!
I have my own confession: I’ve never had smoked pork shoulder. You sure make it sound (and look) irresistible, though!
Oooo Abby, you don’t know what you’re missing!
no convincing here either! this looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you Rebecca!!
Wow, only two ingredients and it looks this good! Amazing, can’t wait to try!
Thanks Debbye!! It’s so easy and basically cooks itself!
Looks pretty perfect to me. Just in time for the Easter holiday! Not sure I’ve ever had this, but looks like something to try. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you for your comment Traci!!
The slow cooker is my go-to all year long. And … confession is always good for the soul 🙂
Lol Ginny!
Wow, this looks like a really good piece of pork. I bet all this brown sugar makes it super delicious.
It does Edyta. It makes a nice sauce or gravy to dribble on the pork as you eat it. Thanks for your comment!
One of my favorites for Easter and Sunday dinners! Such a simple and delicious home cooked meal! I pinned for later!
Yay Jessica! I hope you enjoy it!
I never used to be a huge fan of hams and shoulder cuts but I have recently been won over by a few and this looks like another I am sure I’d enjoy.
Thanks Caroline!
OMG that looks amazing! I’m obviously missing out because I have never had smoked pork shoulder. I’m not sure I can find it here in Italy, but I’m definitely going to try!
Thanks Jacqueline! It tastes like a more delicious ham. Mmm.
We never tried Smoked Pork Shoulder but looking at your recipe I think I need to try.because it sounds great and delicious.
Thank you Melve. It really is!
YES….pork is SOOOO delicious. Hubby loves doing the “smokin” out on the grill. This is a great way to do it…especially in the dead of winter when he doesn’t want to go outside. So many things you can use this meat on too.
Thanks Gloria! I don’t have a grill so the pork shoulder I buy is smoked already, which is very convenient for me!!
I have never made smoked pork in the crockpot! It’s fairly genius, actually! I always do pulled pork in the crockpot! I totally have to try this! I can’t to see what you do with the leftovers!
Thanks Beth! It’s so easy. And for the leftovers . . . can you say pea soup? 🙂
Slow cooker meals are just the best! I can’t believe this is really just two ingredients. It’s so great knowing some simple recipes like this! Looks like a real crowd pleaser.
Thank you Kate! It really is 🙂
This smoked shoulder looks amazing and I’m excited to try it out so that I too can do the smoked pork shoulder shuffle! I have a similar dance when freshly baked cookies are coming out of the oven.
Hehe Sharon!! I hope you enjoy it and I’d love to see your cookie shuffle! 😉
My parents raised hogs on a small farm for years and still continue to do so! Love Pork shoulder. I’m going to try this in my Dutch oven. Such wonderful flavors! I pinned for later and stumbled! Such a great recipe!
That’s so cool Jessica! It’s so yummy! I appreciate your comment!
I am with you Elaine! Pork shoulder is my favorite! I am going to try this smokin good recipe too!
Thanks so much Analida!
I love that you can make this in a slow cooker, it takes all of the effort out of creating a delicious meal!! It looks like it’s cooked to perfection! Such an easy way to impress a hungry crowd!
Thanks Carrie! It certainly does! Thank you for your comment!
Oh I love the flavor of smoked meats! This looks so simple and delicious, and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Karyl! Me too! Thanks for the comment!
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a smoked pork shoulder. It’s so tasty and I love that you can make this version in a slow cooker!
Thanks Kathryn. It is so easy and delicious!
Wow, this pork looks so juicy! I never cooked smoked pork before, but looking at these pictures, I definitely should!)
It’s so delicious Veronika! We actually had it again today for Easter. Yum.
Smoked pork shoulder!!? Wow that sounds amazing! Meat looks absolutely perfect!My hubby would love this recipe.
Thanks Jyothi!! It’s so tasty! And simple!
This recipe looks so easy and delicious! Love slow cooker recipes like this one. My husband would love this for dinner!
Thanks Christine! It’s so good!
This is another winner recipe I love eating on a regular basis!
Me too! I love it so much!
I cook smoked shoulder all the time. I’m not sure about the brown sugar though. I cook it stove top with carrots potatoes cabbage and turnip. Its our favorite winter meal. I was looking for a slow cooker recipe . But with all the vegetables. Guess Ill try it!.
Yum, Jan. We would have smoked shoulder in a boiled dinner. That’s what your recipe sounds like to me. I’m not a real “sweet added to meat lover” but for some reason, this really hits the spot. If you’re afraid it’s going to be too sweet, half the brown sugar.
This is the funniest recipe I have ever read. Thanks.
Hehe. You made my day, Brenda. I used to write most of my recipes like that, but I guess Google wasn’t amused. 😉 It really is my favorite meat.
Elaine, I DO love your funny style of writing about this recipe, and it makes me want to make it like right NOW! I’m going to look for this cut of meat during my next InstaCart shopping trip! 🙂
I enjoyed meeting you today on Skype! 🙂
Hehe. Thanks Sue! It’s my favorite meat. Yes, I know I say it but it bears repeating! 🙂 It was nice meeting you too.