4-Ingredient Caramelized Crust Pork Roast Bake

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🍖✨ 4-Ingredient Caramelized Crust Pork Roast Bake

Tender pork shoulder baked low and slow with a sweet, tangy brown sugar-Dijon crust and rich apple pan juices.

⏱️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 3–4 hours
🍽️ Servings: 6–8
🌡️ Oven: 325°F (165°C)

🛒 Ingredients

  • 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) pork shoulder roast
  • ½ cup (100 g) packed brown sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 g) Dijon mustard
  • ½ cup (120 ml) apple juice

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. PREHEAT
    Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
  2. PREP THE ROAST
    Place the pork shoulder in a baking dish, fat side up.
  3. MAKE THE CRUST
    Mix the brown sugar and Dijon mustard until a thick paste forms.

Spread it evenly over the top and sides of the pork roast.

  1. ADD THE APPLE JUICE
    Pour the apple juice around the pork, being careful not to wash the coating off the meat.
  2. COVER AND BAKE
    Cover the dish loosely with foil.

Bake for about 2½–3½ hours, depending on the size of the roast, until the pork is becoming very tender.

  1. CARAMELIZE
    Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–30 minutes.

Let the brown sugar-Dijon coating become glossy, deeply golden, and caramelized.

Watch closely so it does not burn.

  1. CHECK FOR TENDERNESS
    For pork shoulder, continue cooking until fork-tender, usually around 195–205°F (90–96°C) internally.
  2. REST
    Let the roast rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
  3. SERVE
    Slice the pork and spoon the flavorful pan juices over the meat.

Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or green beans.

💡 TIP:
If the crust starts getting too dark before the pork is tender, loosely cover the roast with foil and continue baking.

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