Roasting pork in your oven for that perfect pulled pork we all love isn’t difficult. It takes a little time but very little effort and the rewards are exceptionally delicious!.
My oven-cooked pulled pork recipe makes flavorful, fork-tender, and amazingly delicious pulled pork. It’s so easy to make that it almost cooks itself. None of you need a grill or smoker.
Really enjoy pulled pork! This tasty slow-roasted pork can be used in many ways. Once you see how easy it is to make, it will become a regular item on your menu.
If you like pulled pork, I have a great recipe for smoked pulled pork butt and a simple recipe for slow cooker pulled pork.
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make a Dry Rubbed Pork Roast. In Chef Speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.
Getting your ingredients ready ahead of time not only speeds up the cooking process but also makes sure you have everything you need to make the dish.
You’ll love the pulled pork seasoning mix, which is made with garlic powder, chili powder, black pepper, and other tasty spices.
Cooking pulled pork in the oven can seem intimidating. Many recipes call for “low and slow” cooking at 250°F for up to 10 hours. But that’s not always practical for our busy lives. I’ve discovered that you can make delicious pulled pork by cooking at 400°F in under 3 hours. Here’s how to get perfect pulled pork every time using this faster high-heat method.
Why Cook Pulled Pork at 400 Degrees?
There are several advantages to cooking pulled pork at a higher 400°F oven temperature rather than low and slow:
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It’s Much Faster: You can have delicious pulled pork in under 3 hours instead of waiting all day. Perfect for weeknight dinners or last-minute get-togethers.
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** Uses Less Energy ** You save electricity by running the oven for a shorter time, That keeps your energy bill lower,
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Reduces Shrinkage: Less moisture is lost so you get more edible meat per pound purchased. Win-win!
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Added Malliard Browning The higher heat helps develop that nice crust or “bark” through the Maillard reaction This adds great flavor
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** Retains Moisture:** If you follow my method, the pork stays incredibly moist and juicy.
Choosing the Right Cut of Pork
For pulled pork, you want to use pork butt, also called Boston butt or pork shoulder. This is a large, well-marbled cut that turns into succulent, fall-apart tender pulled pork after hours of cooking.
The marbling is key since it melts into the meat, keeping it incredibly moist. Look for a pork butt in the 4-6 pound range.
Seasoning the Pork Butt
Start by generously coating the pork with a dry seasoning rub. This adds great flavor as it cooks. Use your favorite pork rub or make your own.
I like 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, and 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
You can also moisten the pork with mustard or liquid smoke before adding the rub if you want even more flavor.
How to Cook Pulled Pork Butt at 400°F
Follow these simple steps for perfect oven pulled pork every time:
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Heat oven to 400°F. No need to preheat – just turn it on.
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Place seasoned pork butt on a rack in a roasting pan. This elevates it out of the drippings.
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Cook for 1 hour per pound. For a 5 pound pork butt, that’s about 5 hours.
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After the first hour, baste the pork with pan drippings every 30 minutes to keep the surface moist.
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Once done cooking, remove pork from the oven, cover tightly with foil, and let rest for 20-30 minutes.
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Use forks to shred the tender pork into bite-size pieces.
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Moisten with your favorite BBQ sauce, let the flavors meld 15 minutes, then dig in!
Tips for Moist, Fall-Off-the Bone Pork
Here are a few tips to ensure your oven pulled pork turns out perfect every time:
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Buy boneless pork butt, or remove the bone yourself for more even cooking.
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Cook at least 4 pounds of meat – smaller cuts will dry out.
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Use a digital meat thermometer to check doneness – aim for 205°F.
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Baste every 30 minutes after the first hour to retain moisture.
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Let the cooked pork rest wrapped in foil for at least 20-30 minutes before shredding.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Pulled Pork at 400°F?
Here are approximate cooking times for pork butt in a 400°F oven:
- 4 pounds = about 4 hours
- 5 pounds = about 5 hours
- 6 pounds = about 6 hours
Cook time varies a bit based on shape and bone-in or out. Use a meat thermometer and check starting at 3 hours. Cook until it reaches 200-205°F internally.
Let it rest wrapped in foil for at least 20-30 minutes before shredding. The meat continues to cook a bit more as it rests.
Tips for Even Faster Pulled Pork
If you’re really pressed for time, there are a couple tricks to speed up the cooking by another 30-60 minutes:
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Cut larger pork butts in half. This decreases the distance to the center.
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Raise the oven temp to 425°F max. But watch closely to avoid drying out.
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Use a convection oven which uses a fan to circulate hot air.
Just monitor closely with a meat thermometer and pull it at 200-205°F or it may dry out.
How to Tell When Pork Butt is Done at 400°F
It can be tricky to know exactly when pork butt is finished cooking fully to pull apart tender without overcooking.
Here are some signs to look for:
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Internal temp of 200-205°F on a meat thermometer. This is the best test.
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Pork has shrunk back from the bones if using bone-in.
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Meat has browned crust or bark on the surface.
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A fork inserted meets little resistance as it shreds the meat.
Resting and Shredding the Pork
Resting is a crucial step after roasting pork butt. Here’s how to do it properly:
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As soon as pork reaches 200-205°F, remove from oven, and wrap the pork tightly in foil.
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Then wrap again in towels or place in a small cooler for insulation.
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Let rest for a minimum of 20-30 minutes. 1-2 hours is even better.
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Unwrap and use two forks to shred pork into bite-size pieces.
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Mix in your favorite bbq sauce just before serving once shredded.
Proper resting allows juices to reabsorb back into the meat fibers. Skipping this step means dry pulled pork!
How to Serve Delicious Pulled Pork
Pulled pork makes amazing sandwiches piled high on buns and topped with bbq sauce and coleslaw.
Or skip the bread and serve it by the forkful on a platter with traditional Southern sides like baked beans, coleslaw, cornbread and potato salad.
Leftovers also make easy meals. Use it for nachos, quesadillas, omelets, pizza, salads and more. The pork keeps well refrigerated for 4-5 days and freezes for months.
Oven Pulled Pork is Easier Than You Think
Many people think you need a smoker, grill or other special equipment to make authentic tasting pulled pork at home.
But this recipe proves you can make restaurant-quality pulled pork easily in a regular kitchen oven.
The keys are using flavorful rubs, regular basting, and proper resting before shredding.
Now you don’t need to wait all day for great pulled pork! In around 3 hours, you can be enjoying delicious oven-baked pulled pork with your favorite sides and fixings.
Give this faster 400°F method a try for your next backyard barbecue, game day, or family dinner. I know it will become your new go-to pulled pork recipe. Enjoy!
How do I shred pulled pork?
When the roast is cool enough to handle (but still hot) begin the process of pulling the meat. The tried and true method is using your hands to pull the meat against the grain into slivers.
Here are two other ways to get perfect pulled pork.
Cut the meat into workable pieces. Then use one fork to hold the meat stable, and the other to rake it into shreds. Or use the forks to pull the meat away from each other.
Using a stand mixer is the fastest and easiest way to shred pork (or chicken). In the mixing bowl, put the cooked meat. Connect the flat beater paddle to the mixer and lock the lever. Put the mixer on medium speed and let it run for about 30 seconds, or until the meat is shred.
If you’re really into pulled pork and plan to make it often, you should get a pair of meat claws.
Put your favorite barbecue sauce on pulled pork to make it taste even better. And if you have any leftover pulled pork, try my Ultimate Pulled Pork Cheeseburger.
Do I have to use a pot with a lid to roast the pork butt?
No, you don’t. When you make this recipe, you can either put aluminum foil over the pot or a half sheet pan on top of the pot.
A baking dish big enough to hold the pork, onions, and beer can also be used. Foil should be used to cover the dish.
You can also roast the pork butts on a sheet pan without the beer and onions. Just double-wrap them in foil twice.
Depending upon the size of your pork roasts it will take 2. 5 hours to 3. 5 hours to cook to the desired temperature for pulled pork.
*Average cook time is 40 minutes per pound.
I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder
FAQ
Can you cook pulled pork at 400 degrees?
How long does it take to cook pork at 400 degrees?
How long to cook a 10 lb pork shoulder at 300 degrees?
Do you cook pulled pork at 225 or 250?
What temperature should pulled pork be cooked to?
The best pulled pork internal temperature is 190°F, but you can cook it up to 200°F for a more tender texture if you have the patience. However, it’s essential not to leave the meat on the grill until it reaches 200 degrees because it will continue cooking after being pulled.
How long do you cook a pork shoulder at 450°F?
Roast the pork shoulder at 450°F for 20 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 325°F and cook for about an hour per pound. When the internal temperature reaches 205°F, remove it from the oven and allow the pork shoulder to rest for about an hour before shredding.
Can you cook pulled pork in an oven?
Yes, you can cook pulled pork in an oven. The oven roasted pork shoulder is cooked low and slow and makes the perfect BBQ pork for sandwiches, potlucks, and great leftovers! No smoker or grill is needed for the easiest pulled pork.
How long does it take to cook BBQ Pulled Pork?
An 8-pound bone-in pork shoulder for this BBQ pulled pork recipe takes about 7 hours to smoke at 275 degrees F. Add 15 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of resting time, and the total cooking time is under 8 hours. This BBQ pulled pork will give you all of that classic smoky BBQ flavor in significantly less time.