At What Temperature Is a Pork Roast Done?

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According to U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for safe food preparation, pork roasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. After pulling the roast out of the oven, it should rest for at least three minutes.

Although 145 degrees Fahrenheit is the standard for most pork roasts, when a cook is roasting a pork shoulder or pork butt to make pulled pork, the roast should cook until it reaches an internal temperature of approximately 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooking this muscular cut of pork to a higher internal temperature is crucial for breaking down its fat and collagen, which tenderizes the meat and makes it tender enough to pull and shred.

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