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When it comes to cooking pork shoulder, timing is everything. You want to make sure that it is cooked to perfection, but not over-cooked. However, sometimes things don’t go as planned and your pork shoulder is finished cooking earlier than expected.
In this case, it’s important to know what to do in order to ensure that the meat is still delicious and safe to eat:
- Check the internal temperature of the pork shoulder. It should be at least 200°F to be considered “done”.
- Once confirmed that the pork shoulder is done early, let it rest. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes the meat more tender.
- Rest the pork shoulder in a cooler or warming oven.
- If serving the pork shoulder more than 24 hours in advance, store it in the refrigerator.
- Reheat the pork shoulder to the desired temperature before serving.
- With proper care and attention, you can still enjoy a delicious and perfectly cooked pork shoulder even if it is done early.
The first thing to do when you suspect that your pork shoulder is done early is to check the internal temperature. The ideal temperature for cooked pork shoulder is around 200°F. If your meat is at this temperature or higher, it is officially done. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature and ensure that it is cooked to perfection.
Once you’ve confirmed that your pork shoulder is done early, the next step is to let it rest. Resting the meat allows the juices to redistribute, making it more tender and flavorful.
You can rest your pork shoulder in a variety of ways, such as placing it in a cooler or warming oven.
If you’re planning on serving the pork shoulder more than 24 hours in advance, it’s best to store it in the refrigerator. This will help keep it fresh and safe to eat until you’re ready to reheat it the next day. When it’s time to serve it, simply take it out of the refrigerator and reheat it to the desired temperature.
In conclusion, knowing what to do if your pork shoulder is done early is crucial to ensure that the meat is still delicious and safe to eat.
By following the steps outlined above, you can rest your pork shoulder and store it properly until you’re ready to serve it. With a little bit of care and attention, you can still enjoy a delicious and perfectly cooked pork shoulder, even if it is done early.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.