Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt or pork butt, is a flavorful, marbled cut that’s perfect for making succulent pulled pork. While traditional methods call for smoking pork shoulder “low and slow” at 225-250°F for up to 18 hours, you can slash the cook time nearly in half by cranking up the heat. Cooking the pork at 300°F results in incredibly tender, mouthwatering pulled pork in just 5-7 hours.
In this article. we’ll provide everything you need to know about cooking pork shoulder at 300°F including
- Estimated cook times per pound
- Step-by-step instructions
- Tips for perfect pulled pork
- How to tell when it’s done
- Resting, pulling, and serving
Let’s get into the details on how long you can expect the smoking process to take.
Estimated 300°F Cook Times Per Pound
To estimate the total cook time at 300°F, use the simple calculation
- 45 minutes per pound
So for a:
- 5 lb pork shoulder: 45 min x 5 lbs = 3.75 hours
- 7 lb pork shoulder: 45 min x 7 lbs = 5.25 hours
- 10 lb pork shoulder: 45 min x 10 lbs = 7.5 hours
These times are just estimates as cook times vary by the particular cut. Rely on an instant-read thermometer to determine doneness rather than time.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Smoking Pork Butt at 300°F
Follow these steps for juicy, tender pulled pork in around 5 hours at 300°F:
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Prep the pork shoulder: Trim excess fat, rinse, pat dry, coat with mustard, and apply a spice rub. Refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat smoker to 300°F: Use indirect heat and wood chunks/chips for flavor. Let it fully preheat before adding meat.
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Smoke for 45 min/lb: Place seasoned pork on the grate fat-side down. Insert a meat thermometer. Smoke until 165°F internal temp.
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Wrap and continue cooking: At 165°F, wrap pork in foil. Return to smoker and cook until 205°F.
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Rest and pull: Let rest 30 mins – 2 hours after removing from smoker. Pull meat, discard fat, and shred.
That’s all there is to it! Now let’s look at some tips for perfect pulled pork.
Tips for Moist, Tender Pulled Pork
Follow these tips for the best 300°F smoked pork shoulder results:
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Always rely on a thermometer for doneness, not time.
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Let pork rest wrapped for at least 30 minutes before pulling.
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Gently pull pork by hand into shreds and pieces.
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Mix reserved juices from foil back into pulled pork to keep moist.
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If bark softens during resting, crisp back up by putting uncovered in smoker for 15-30 mins.
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Reheat leftover pulled pork gently to avoid drying out.
How to Tell When It’s Done
Cook pork shoulder to an internal temp of 200-205°F. Signs it’s done:
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Thermometer reads 200-205°F in thickest part
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Bone twists and turns easily
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Toothpick or skewer slides in easily
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Meat shreds apart easily with a fork
Always rely on a thermometer for doneness, even when using the quicker 300°F method.
Resting, Pulling, and Serving Juicy Pulled Pork
Follow these last steps once pork shoulder is cooked:
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Rest still wrapped for 30-60 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
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Pull the pork into shreds gently by hand, discarding excess fat.
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Mix in juices from the rested foil packet to keep moist.
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Season with more dry rub, BBQ sauce, apple juice, etc.
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Serve on buns for pulled pork sandwiches or in tacos, nachos, etc.
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Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and reheat gently.
Cooking pork shoulder at 300°F cuts the cook time nearly in half while still resulting in phenomenally juicy, tender and smoky pulled pork. Just remember to rely on a thermometer for doneness. Happy smoking!
More Keto Pork Recipes
Jamaican Jerk Pork Roast – Instant Pot Recipe
An easy roasted pork shoulder recipe that results in tender meat and super crispy skin! No need to feel guilty for indulging in this delicious pork either, because it’s healthy enough to fit into Whole 30, Paleo, Keto, Low Carb, Gluten Free, and Squeaky Clean Keto eating plans!
I’ll be honest, this post is more about the pictures than the roasted pork shoulder recipe. Because seriously, Vegetarians aside, who doesn’t love looking at photos of roasted meat?.
Not this chick – I could stare at these pictures all day!
It looks like a beautiful meaty landscape, with crispy crust and soft, juicy shreds of porky goodness! And of course I got to eat this delicious roasted pork shoulder—just thinking about it makes me cry! It was pork-tastic!.
Excuse me while I indulge this memory with a moment of silence……
That being said, you may be wondering how to make this Porcine masterpiece again. Well, I’m here to tell you!
This recipe for roasted pork shoulder is so simple that you shouldn’t wait to add it to your dinner menu! All you need is time—for some of you, that means making it on the weekend—but trust me, it will be worth it! Once you shred the pork, you can use it in a lot of different tasty dishes.
Corn tortillas, chopped cilantro, lettuce, sliced avocado, Greek yogurt, and shredded cheddar cheese were what I used to serve it to our guests. It was a huge hit!.
Since I’m doing the Whole30 this month I ate my shredded pork salad style with no dairy – it still tasted amazing!
You don’t even have to make Mexican food. This simple roasted pork shoulder would taste great with cheesy cauliflower puree and your favorite salad or vegetable side dish.
It was cold for two days after I took the leftovers out of the fridge. I then put the rest of the keto-roasted pork shoulder in the freezer to make green chili later this month. .
What Temperature Should I Cook My Pork Butt At
FAQ
How long to cook a 7 pound pork shoulder at 300 degrees?
Is 300 degrees too hot for pulled pork?
How long to cook a 3 pound pork shoulder at 275 degrees?
How long to cook a 3 lb pork roast at 300 degrees?
How long to cook pork shoulder at 350?
Estimating the cooking time for pork shoulder at 350°F is crucial to achieving a tender and flavorful result. Here are some key points to consider: Approximate Cooking Time: A general rule of thumb is to allow approximately 20 minutes per pound of pork shoulder.
How long does it take to cook a pulled pork shoulder?
Generally, we plan 1 hour and 15 minutes per pound for total cook time, including the rest period. Smoke – Target 250 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 3 – 4 hours. Wrap – After the internal temperature of the pulled pork hits 165 degrees, wrap the shoulder in foil or butcher paper and reinsert your remote probe meat thermometer.
What temperature should pork shoulder be cooked at?
Allows flavors to develop slowly: When cooked at 350°F, pork shoulder has ample time for its flavors to develop and deepen. The slow cooking process allows all the ingredients and spices to meld together, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish. Cooking pork shoulder at 350°F offers several benefits that enhance both texture and taste.
How long to smoke pork shoulder at 300?
In our guide, we’ll talk about how long to smoke pork shoulder at 300 and 350 degrees, and whether it’s worth it to do so. Pork shoulder and pork butt should cook at a rate of about 60 minutes per pound when the smoker temperature is set to 300 degrees.