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Mastering Perfect Oven-Roasted Pork Butt: A Step-by-Step Guide

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A marinated pork shoulder or butt roast recipe that is slow-cooked and very tender. It tastes great on its own and can be used in a lot of different ways. One of my go-to dishes for casual crowd entertaining.

As a passionate home cook and barbecue aficionado, I’m always looking to master new culinary skills. One technique that has become a recent obsession is oven-roasting pork butt With the right prep and roasting method, pork butt transforms into irresistibly tender, juicy and flavorful pulled pork.

In this article, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about roasting a pork butt in the oven for mouthwatering results every time. From choosing the right cut to monitoring oven temps, these tips will help you nail succulent, fall-off-the-bone pork butt easily at home Let’s get roasting!

Selecting the Best Pork Butt

Success starts with choosing the right cut of meat. Here’s what to look for:

  • Go for a bone-in pork butt/shoulder and remove the bone yourself. This adds flavor during cooking.

  • Choose a 5-8 lb pork butt. This size roasts evenly and provides plenty of pulled pork.

  • Pick a well-marbled piece with fat distributed throughout. The fat bastes the meat during roasting.

  • Look for uniform coloration. Avoid pork butts with dark spots or bruising.

  • Choose pork labeled “pasture-raised” or “heritage breed” for premium quality and taste.

Prepping the Pork Butt

Proper prep is key for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption:

  • Trim off any loose fat, but leave a 1⁄4 inch layer intact to baste the meat.

  • Apply a dry rub at least 12 hours before roasting so the spices really penetrate.

  • Try a rub with brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.

  • Let the rubbed pork rest in the fridge overnight; the spice flavors will intensify.

  • Remove the pork from the fridge 1-2 hours before roasting so it cooks evenly.

Setting Up for Oven Roasting

Having the right roasting setup helps ensure pork butt success:

  • Use a heavy-duty roasting pan. This promotes even cooking.

  • Place a roasting rack in the pan so air circulates around the pork.

  • Add 1-2 cups of apple juice, stock or water to the bottom of the pan for moisture.

  • Keep the oven temp between 225-250°F for low, slow roasting.

  • Position the pork fat side up to self-baste during cooking.

Monitoring the Roast

While the pork roasts, keep these tips in mind:

  • Plan on roasting for 8-12 hours based on a 5-8 lb pork butt. Larger = longer cook time.

  • Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness, not time. Pull it at 195°F.

  • If the outside gets too brown, tent foil over the pork to prevent burning.

  • Baste the pork with pan juices every 1-2 hours for added moisture and flavor.

  • Let the pork rest 30 mins before pulling so juices redistribute.

Roasting Troubleshooting

Follow these tips to troubleshoot any potential pork butt roasting issues:

  • If it’s cooking too fast, lower the oven 25°F and monitor closely.

  • Add more liquid to the bottom of the pan to prevent drying if needed.

  • Use foil tents to shield areas getting too browned.

  • Cut roasting time back if the pork seems to be drying out.

  • Don’t worry if it hits a “stall” around 150°F. This is normal as fat renders.

Pulling the Pork

You’ve nailed the roast – now transform it into succulent pulled pork:

  • Carefully transfer the rested pork to a cutting board or platter.

  • Pull or shred the hot pork using two forks. It should fall apart easily.

  • Discard any excess fat or connective tissue pieces.

  • Season the pulled pork with your favorite barbecue sauce.

  • Serve the pork on buns for amazing sandwiches or enjoy it on its own.

  • Freeze any extra pulled pork in portions to enjoy later.

Serving Ideas

Beyond sandwiches, oven-roasted pork butt shines in:

  • Tacos – Top corn tortillas with pulled pork, spicy slaw and queso.

  • Baked potatoes – Heap pulled pork over baked russets with fixings.

  • Nachos – Pile pulled pork, cheese, beans, etc on tortilla chips.

  • Breakfast – Stuff pork into omelets or breakfast burritos.

  • Pizza – Use pulled pork as a tasty topping on homemade or store-bought pizza.

  • Salads – Add shredded pork to leafy greens, veggies, nuts and dressing.

  • Pasta – Toss tender pasta with pulled pork, marinara and parmesan.

Oven-roasted pork butt takes patience, but following these steps results in the most insanely delicious pulled pork you’ve ever tasted. Say goodbye to dry, bland roasts and hello to juicy, fall-apart tender pork heaven. Happy roasting!

how to roast a pork butt in the oven

What to Serve with Pork Shoulder Roast:

Leftovers are brilliant. So endlessly useful to make amazing quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, soups, stews, sandwiches, and so on.

Best Pork Shoulder Roast

My friend Chris and I were talking about great meals to serve guests. We talked about the usual suspects, like lasagna, chili, and tenderloins. Then he told me that his favorite dish to serve guests was a pork butt or shoulder. We talked about the best way to cook a pork shoulder roast, which is to let it cook slowly in the oven at a low temperature for a long time, until it falls apart.

how to roast a pork butt in the oven

I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder

FAQ

How many minutes per pound to cook a pork shoulder roast?

Pre-heat oven to 325F (163C). Bake pork roast in the oven UNCOVERED for approximately 25-30 MINUTES *PER POUND* (55-66 MINUTES PER KILOGRAM) Or until internal temperature reaches 155F (68C), rested to a final 160F (71C).

How long do you cook a pork butt in the oven?

Preheat oven to 300°F. Place pork butt directly into a roasting pan, fat cap side up. Rub top, bottom, and sides of pork butt with pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Pour chicken stock into pan. Place pan in oven. Roast 40 minutes per pound, or for about 2 and ½ to 3 hours. Remove pan from oven and let stand 15 minutes.

What is a pork butt roast?

Despite the name, pork butt roast (also called Boston butt) is actually cut from the upper part of the pork shoulder, not the hindquarters of the pig. It’s well-marbled and flavorful, with a good balance of fat and meat. This makes it a fantastic cut for slow roasting, smoking, grilling, slow cooking, and even pressure cooking.

How do you marinate a pork butt roast?

Trim any unwanted fat from pork butt roast. If it has fat cap, best to leave a little bit on, less than ¼″ thick. Apply seasoning rub over the meat. Massage and press into meat as best possible. Place meat in a large zip-top bag, sealed, overnight to marinate. Preheat oven to 350° (F).

How do you cook a pork rib roast?

Place your pork onto a roasting rack and coat it with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO or mustard ). Generously season the meat with 2 tablespoons of pork roast seasoning. Step 4: Roast. Roast the pork fat side up for 1 hour ( it should appear lightly browned ).

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