Wondering how long it takes to cook pork butt? If your planning for a cookout or family dinner you don’t want to make your guests wait for the pork to be done!
Especially when you have promised then something delicious like pulled pork tacos or sliders.
So below you find out exactly when to put your pork on the smoker so you don’t have a mutiny of hungry guests!
Table of contents
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Pork Butt?
Pork butt takes one hour per pound to cook.
This changes based on the cooking temperature and the size of the pork butt. Whether or not there’s a bone will also make a difference.
A 6-pound pork butt will probably take about 6-8 hours to cook. That is because we estimate one hour per pound of meat at 250°F.
It could take closer to 2 hours per pound at 200°F.
The important thing is to allow plenty of time for the cooking process so that it will be ready on time.
What Temperature Is Best For Smoking Pork Butt?
Smoke pork at a low temperature, between 200°F and 250°F. Cooking low and slow will allow the meat to break down and become flavorful.
This will also allow the smoky flavor to permeate the pork so that it will be scrumptious.
The lower the smoker’s temperature, the longer the cooking time. This is something to consider when planning your cookout.
What Internal Temperature For Pork?
Pork meat should reach an internal temperature of 145°F.
Be sure to put the meat thermometer in the thickest portion of the meat. If the meat has a bone in it, don’t let the meat thermometer touch the bone. This could result in an inaccurate reading.
Use a temperature probe to monitor the temperature while it cooks.
How Much Pork Per Person?
Buy half a pound of pork per person. If you will have a lot of side dishes or other meats, you could buy 1/3 pound per person.
When cooked, pork will lose about 30% of its weight. This is why you should always buy more pork than you think you’ll need.
What Is Pork Butt?
Pork butt is a popular cut of meat. It comes from the upper portion of the shoulder of the pig. It is usually sold boneless and is great for making pulled pork sandwiches.
Some people call it Boston butt or pork shoulder. Either way, it’s delicious when you smoke it in a wood pellet smoker!
It’s pretty easy to keep the meat moist which is why so many people like it. This is because the fat content.
How To Smoke Pork Butt?
First, you’ll want to trim and season the pork. We recommend using a dry rub with simple ingredients.
Keeping it simple with kosher salt and black pepper is a good choice. Some people like to add brown sugar, yellow mustard, and other savory flavors.
Then you will put it in the preheated pellet grill. Spritz the meat with a cup of apple juice or apple cider vinegar. You can use any liquid of your choice.
Once the meat reaches a safe temperature, remove it from the heat. Let the pork rest for about an hour.
Now you can pull it using a knife and fork or another method. Add bbq sauce if you want and then serve it!
Best Wood For Pork Butt?
You can use whatever types of wood chips you prefer. They’ll add a bit of extra flavor to the pork.
Some people like the strong flavor of mesquite and hickory wood pellets. Others like the sweet taste of maple wood and apple wood.
When cooking pulled pork, most types of wood provide additional flavor!
Should You Wrap Pork Butt?
Many people will wrap the pork butt once it stalls.
This means that when it is mostly cooked, they will wrap it with aluminum foil or tin foil. This can help keep the meat moist and prevent too much smokey flavor.
Some people prefer using butcher paper instead of aluminum foil.
If you wrap the meat too soon, it may be a bit soggy. This will prevent a beautiful bark or flavorful bark.
What To Serve With Pork Butt?
Smoked pork goes well with a variety of classic side dishes. If you’ve seen it at a barbecue, it will go well with pulled pork.
We recommend serving pork with the following:
- Coleslaw
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Potato Salad
Now that you know the times and temperatures for cooking pork, why not fire up your pellet grill? Find a good pork recipe and get started.
Smoke On!
Charlie
Author: Charlie Reeves
Hi, I’m Charlie, I am head taste tester at Simply Meat Smoking! I love it grilling, smoking, and getting out in the yard with the kids! The family also love to test all my recipes (especially my EXTRA CRISPY pulled pork, smoky pork loin, and ANY SEAFOOD I grill)
You will usually find me playing with the kids, perfecting my brisket bark, or sipping beers with boys around the fire. Can’t wait to share all my delicious smoking and grilling adventures with you!
You can read more on our About Us page.
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