I always make my Simple Smoked Pulled Pork Butt (also called Smoked Pork Shoulder) when I need to feed a lot of people quickly. With only 3 ingredients, you’re looking at some good, classic BBQ with plenty of flavor.
This process for smoked pulled pork is a delicious way to cook pork butt. It’s a relatively easy process that requires a bit of time, some simple ingredients, and a trusty smoker.
This post is the perfect guide for your first pulled pork. It has a lot of useful information, so make sure you read it all the way through and then scroll down to the printable recipe card to learn even more about pork. Then you’ll be ready to face this tasty beast.
The reason I call this smoked pulled pork butt “simple” is because of how little effort it takes. For this recipe to always turn out perfectly, you don’t need any fancy injections, tools, spritzing mixtures, or wrapping. single. time. You only need a good pork shoulder, my famous sweet BBQ rub, some smoke, and a lot of time for this recipe to work.
Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork. This large, boneless roast contains a good amount of fat, which helps keep the meat moist and tender as it cooks low and slow. A 9 lb pork butt may seem intimidating, but with the right technique, you can achieve tender fall-apart meat in around 9 hours.
Overview of Cooking a Large Pork Butt
Cooking a 9 lb pork butt requires patience and the right cooking method to break down the tough connective tissues. The keys are maintaining a low temperature (225-250°F) and allowing enough time for the collagen to melt into succulent gelatin. With the proper prep and technique, your reward is incredibly moist, fork-tender pulled pork.
There are several ways to cook a pork butt this size, including oven roasting, smoking, or slow cooking in a crockpot. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on the method, but you can expect it to take approximately 1-1.5 hours per pound, or 9-13 hours for a 9 lb roast. The internal temperature when finished should reach 195-205°F.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfect pulled pork every time:
1. Prepare the Pork Butt
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Remove the pork from packaging and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Allow to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
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Season the pork all over with a dry rub. A classic barbecue rub works well, but get creative with spices! Apply the rub generously and massage it into the meat.
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For improved smoke absorption and bark formation, trim excess hard fat from the exterior. Leave about 1⁄4 inch of fat intact.
2. Choose a Cooking Method
Oven Heat oven to 250°F. Place pork fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Cook for 40 minutes per pound, until internal temp reaches 205°F.
Smoker: Maintain a temperature of 225-250°F. Smoke with wood chips, chunks, or pellets for flavor. Cook until internal temp reaches 195-205°F.
Crockpot Cook on Low for 1-15 hours per pound, Use a thermometer to check doneness,
3. Monitor Temperature
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For all cooking methods, use a digital meat thermometer to monitor the internal temp of the thickest part of the meat.
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Once the internal temp nears 205°F, start checking more frequently until desired doneness is reached.
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Remove pork from heat source once the thermometer reads 195-205°F.
4. Rest and Shred
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Allow the pork to rest, wrapped in foil, for at least 30 minutes before shredding. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Use two forks to shred and pull the pork into bite-size pieces. Discard any excess fat.
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Mix in your favorite barbecue sauce and serve! Enjoy on sandwiches or over baked potatoes.
Pork Butt Cooking Times by Weight
While a 9 lb pork butt takes roughly 9-13 hours, cook times can vary slightly depending on the size of your roast. Here are estimated cooking times for different pork butt weights:
- 5 lbs: 5-7 hours
- 7 lbs: 7-10 hours
- 9 lbs: 9-13 hours
- 10-12 lbs: 11-15 hours
Always rely on a meat thermometer over cook times for accuracy. But these guidelines provide a helpful starting point for planning.
Tips for Moist, Tender Pork Butt
Follow these tips and tricks to ensure your pork butt turns out juicy, fall-apart tender every time:
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Cook low and slow – don’t rush it! The collagen needs time to break down.
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Use a thermometer and cook to 195-205°F internal temperature.
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Spritz or mop with apple juice or broth during smoking.
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Wrap in foil at the stall around 160°F to power through and speed up cooking.
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Allow ample resting time before shredding – never skip this step!
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Mix shredded pork with defatted cooking juices for added moisture.
With the right prep and cooking technique, you’ll achieve the ultimate flavorful, tender pork butt. Now grab your favorite barbecue sides because this meat is ready for sandwiches!
How to Smoke a Pork Butt
Old-school BBQ techniques and flavors are used to make this simple smoked pulled pork shoulder. The pulled pork is very authentic and very tasty. Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat. Get your favorite smoker running steady at 225 degrees F. For smoked pulled pork, either hickory or apple wood (or a mix of the two) is my favorite. Both of them are mild enough to go with pork without being too smokey.
- Slather in mustard. Put on some nitrile gloves and cover the pork shoulder with mustard all over.
- Season. Season on all sides with my signature sweet BBQ rub. This rub is one of the main ingredients in Hey Grill Hey. It is made with brown sugar mixed with smoked paprika, onion, garlic, and a little cayenne.
- Smoke. After getting the pork ready, put it right on the smoker’s grill grates, fat side up if possible. Close the lid and smoke the pork for 15 to 20 hours, or until it reaches 195 to 201 degrees F inside.
- Rest, shred and serve. As soon as the pork is cooked, take it out of the smoker and tightly wrap it in aluminum foil. Allow the roast to rest for at least an hour.
- Shred and serve. After giving the pork some time to rest, get some forks or my awesome Hey Grill Hey shredder claws and start shredding. Remove the bone and discard any fat or gristle. For a tasty pulled pork sandwich, serve it on its own or on a bun with homemade coleslaw.
How to Freeze Smoked Pulled Pork
You might get hungry for pulled pork a lot when you only have to feed a small family, like I do. If you find yourself in this predicament, simply freeze the leftovers!.
- Before putting the pork in the freezer bag, let it cool to room temperature or less. When pulled pork is hot, it will steam and make water crystals in the bag. It also makes the pulled pork mushy when it’s heated up again.
- Shred the pork before freezing. This will let you flatten the bags before putting them in the freezer. This will save space and freeze the pork faster, which means it tastes better when it’s reheated.
- Use freezer-safe bags. Put the pork in either gallon-sized zip-top bags or freezer-safe vacuum-sealed bags and freeze them. This helps preserve freshness and cut down on freezer burn. It is also crucial during the reheating process.
- Remove excess air in the bag. Get rid of as much air as you can in your freezer bag, whether it’s a food saver or a regular zip-top bag. This will help your meat last longer frozen.
- Use it or lose it. If you take out enough air, frozen pulled pork will last up to 6 months in a deep freezer or 6 weeks in a fridge/freezer combo. You can keep track of your freezer bags by writing their names and dates on them.
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
How long does it take to cook a 9 lb pork roast at 250 degrees?
How long to smoke a 9 lb pork shoulder at 225?
How long does a pork butt take to smoke?
How long do you cook a 3 pound pork butt roast?
If your pork butt roast is smaller than 6 pounds, you can still use this recipe successfully, just shorten the cooking time slightly. For a 3-pound pork roast, start with the heat at 450°F for 20 minutes, then turn the heat down to 250°F and continue to cook for 4 to 5 hours until the middle of the roast registers 180°F.
How long does it take to cook a pork butt?
Once your pork butt is seasoned and trimmed, it’s time to cook it low and slow until it reaches an internal temperature of 190-200°F. This can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 40 minutes per pound depending on the cooking method you choose. Remember to let the pork rest for at least 15 minutes before carving to ensure a juicy and tender meat.
How long do you cook a pound of pork?
Place the pork on a wire rack in a roasting pan and roast for about 40 minutes per pound, or until the internal temperature reaches 180°F. Once done, let the pork rest in the pan under tented foil for at least an hour. Then, heat your oven to 500°F and put the pork back in without foil to allow the skin to brown and puff up for about 15-20 minutes.
How long should a pork butt roast rest?
If your roast is smaller, you can reduce the resting time to 30 minutes. During the resting period, cover the pork butt roast with foil to keep it warm and allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. This will make it more flavorful and moist. When it comes to serving your pork butt roast, there are many options.