Honey Garlic Glazed Roasted Pork Shoulder

Tender, juicy pork shoulder coated in a sticky honey-garlic glaze and roasted until deeply caramelized around the edges. The combination of garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, herbs, and savory seasonings gives this roast an irresistible sweet-and-savory flavor. Slow roasting is especially well suited to pork shoulder because it helps the tougher cut become tender and succulent.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Pork

• 4 lb (1.8 kg) boneless pork shoulder roast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1½ tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried rosemary
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Honey Garlic Glaze

• ½ cup honey
• 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the pork
Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Rub it all over with olive oil.

2. Season generously
Mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly over the entire roast.

3. Sear for extra flavor
Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the pork for about 3–4 minutes per side, until nicely browned.

4. Make the glaze
Whisk together honey, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes.

5. Begin roasting
Heat oven to 325°F (165°C). Brush about half of the glaze over the pork. Cover loosely with foil or a lid and roast for about 2½–3 hours, depending on the size and shape of the roast.

6. Glaze again
Remove the cover and generously brush the pork with the remaining honey-garlic glaze. Continue roasting uncovered for 20–30 minutes, basting once or twice, until the outside is deeply caramelized.

7. Check doneness
For a sliceable roast, cook until the pork reaches at least 145°F (63°C) and rest it for at least 10–15 minutes. For the very soft, shreddable texture typically desired from pork shoulder, continue cooking until substantially more tender.

8. Rest and slice
Transfer the roast to a cutting board, tent loosely with foil, and rest for 15–20 minutes. Slice against the grain and spoon the pan juices over the top.

✨ Pro Tips

• Don’t skip the searing: It creates a delicious browned crust before roasting.
• Brush the glaze on toward the end as well as at the beginning to create a thicker, stickier coating.
• If the glaze begins browning too quickly, tent the roast with foil.
• Add a splash of chicken broth to the roasting pan if the pan becomes dry.
• Serve with roasted potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, green beans, or creamy mashed potatoes.

🍽️ Serving Idea

Arrange thick slices of the caramelized pork on a platter and spoon the glossy pan juices over the top. Add roasted vegetables around the roast for a beautiful Sunday dinner or holiday centerpiece.

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: About 3–3½ hours
Resting Time: 15–20 minutes
Servings: 8
Cuisine: American-inspired
Method: Oven roasted