Cooking a 7 lb pork butt may seem daunting, but with the right techniques, it can be simple and result in incredibly juicy, flavorful pulled pork. Whether you are feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, a pork butt is a great option. In this guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know to cook a perfect 7 lb pork butt.
Choosing the Right Cut
The first step is selecting the right cut of pork. For pulled pork, you’ll want a bone-in pork shoulder, also called a Boston butt. The shoulder contains plenty of fat and connective tissue that will break down into moist, tender pulled pork after hours of low and slow cooking.
When buying a pork butt, look for one with good marbling or streaks of fat throughout the meat. The fat content is key for keeping the pork juicy. Also aim for a roast that is evenly shaped, without too many thin or irregular sections, so it cooks nice and even.
Prepping the Pork Butt
Before cooking, prepare the pork butt with these simple steps:
- Trim off any large excess pieces of fat, leaving about 1⁄4 inch of the fat cap.
- Score the fat cap by cutting shallow crosshatches into it. This helps the fat render slowly.
- Generously coat all surfaces with a dry rub. A classic pork rub contains salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- Let the seasoned pork rest at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Choosing the Cooking Method
There are several options for cooking a pork butt low and slow:
- Oven roasting: Cook at 300°F until the internal temperature reaches 200°F. Allow about 40 minutes per pound.
- Smoking: Cook at 225-250°F over indirect heat for about 1.5 hours per pound.
- Slow cooker: Cook on low for 1-1.5 hours per pound.
- Instant Pot: Pressure cook for 45-90 minutes.
Oven roasting is simple and reliable, smoking gives the best flavor, and slow cookers/Instant Pots offer hands-off convenience.
Calculating the Cook Time
The cook time for a 7 lb pork butt can vary quite a bit Here are some estimates
- Oven at 300°F: About 5 hours
- Smoker at 225°F: Around 10-11 hours
- Slow cooker on low: 10-16 hours
- Instant Pot: Under 2 hours
The shape and thickness of your pork roast can alter the time needed. Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness instead of time.
Monitoring the Internal Temperature
The only way to know precisely when your pork butt is finished cooking is to monitor the internal temperature. Insert an instant read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bone, and check the temp in several spots.
For pulled pork you want an internal temperature of 200-205°F. At this temp, the pork will be fall-apart tender and ready for shredding into mouthwatering pulled pork.
Resting and Pulling the Pork
After cooking, always let the pork rest:
- Remove pork from heat and tent loosely with foil.
- Allow to rest for 30-60 minutes before pulling.
- Use forks or your fingers to shred and pull the pork apart into bite-size pieces.
- Mix in barbecue sauce, drippings, or other seasonings as desired.
Proper resting allows the juices to reabsorb for juicy pulled pork. Add your favorite sauce or seasoning to taste.
Extra Tips and Tricks
- Injecting the pork butt with a flavorful marinade adds extra moisture and flavor. Apple juice, beef broth, or barbecue sauce work well.
- Apply your favorite barbecue sauce or dry seasoning rub at the end to finish the pulled pork.
- Serve pulled pork on buns or over rice with classic sides like baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, or potato salad.
With the right cut of pork, low and slow cooking method, and monitoring the internal temperature, you can easily cook a perfect 7 lb pork butt. The finished pulled pork will be moist, full of flavor, and can feed a crowd. Let the savory aroma of smoked pork fill the air at your next backyard barbecue.
What Temperature Should I Cook My Pork Butt At
FAQ
How long to cook a 7 lb pork roast at 250 degrees?
How long does it take to cook a 7 pound bone in pork roast?
Is 275 too high for pulled pork?
How long to cook 8 pounds of pulled pork?
How do you cook a 7 lb Pork Butt?
To start, take your 7 lb pork butt out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about an hour. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees and season the pork liberally with salt and pepper. Place it fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan and roast for about 40 minutes per pound or until the internal temperature reaches 180 degrees.
How long do you cook a pork butt roast in the oven?
The cooking time for a pork butt roast in the oven can vary depending on the size of the roast and the desired level of doneness. For a 6-pound pork butt roast, preheat your oven to 450°F and roast for 20 minutes.
How long do you cook a pound of pork?
Cook the pork butt for about 20 minutes per pound, the slower the better. Use a meat thermometer. Pork should be cooked until it reaches 145 degrees. When the pork is done cooking, take it out of the oven and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to allow the juices to soak into the meat before cutting.
How long does it take to cook a pork butt?
After seasoning your pork butt, you’ll want to cook it low and slow for the best results. Depending on your chosen cooking method, this can take anywhere from 6-11 hours at a temperature of 250-350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness – pork is best when it is cooked to about 145 degrees.