Below is a detailed recipe for how I smoke a juicy and tender pork shoulder. This recipe can be used for pulled pork to make pork tacos and pulled pork nachos. If you follow the recipe, you will be amazed at how well the pork shoulder turns out!.
Cooking pork butt low and slow is the key to achieving the ultimate pulled pork When smoked or roasted at around 250°F, the pork butt transforms from a tough cut into tender, fall-apart meat that makes for amazing sandwiches and tacos But exactly how long does it take to cook pork butt at 250°F? Read on for tips on getting perfect pulled pork every time.
The Basics of Cooking Pork Butt
Pork butt, also known as pork shoulder, is a flavorful and inexpensive cut taken from the upper part of the front leg of the pig. It contains a good amount of fat, which keeps the meat moist and tender during the long cooking time.
There are two keys to cooking pork butt perfectly
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Low and slow – Cooking the pork at a low temperature (225-275°F) for an extended period allows the tough connective tissues to break down into succulent gelatin. This gives pulled pork its signature tenderness.
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Internal temperature – Pork butt must reach an internal temperature of 195-205°F before it can be shredded and served. This ensures any bacteria are killed and the meat is fully cooked.
The most popular methods for cooking pork butt at low temperatures are smoking and roasting. Both work equally well; smoking adds extra flavor from the wood smoke while roasting in the oven is more hands-off.
How Long Per Pound at 250°F
The general rule of thumb when cooking pork butt at 250°F is 1.5 – 2 hours per pound.
So for a typical 8-10 lb pork butt, you can expect the total cooking time to be:
- 8 lbs = 12-16 hours
- 10 lbs = 15-20 hours
However, cook times can vary a bit depending on the shape and texture of the particular cut of meat. It’s always best to use a meat thermometer and cook until the pork reaches 195-205°F internally rather than relying solely on cook times.
For smoked pork butt, you may need to extend the cook time since opening the smoker repeatedly to check the temperature can allow heat to escape.
Step-By-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for perfect pulled pork every time:
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Trim – Trim off any excess hard fat from the pork butt, leaving about 1⁄4 inch. This helps prevent burning.
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Season – Generously season all over with a dry rub. Let rest for 30 minutes up to overnight so the seasoning permeates the meat.
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Prepare the smoker or oven – For smoking, bring the temperature to 250°F and add your choice of wood chips. For roasting, simply preheat the oven to 250°F.
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Place the pork – Put the pork butt fat side up on a rack in the smoker or roasting pan. Make sure the meat isn’t touching the sides.
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Cook – Smoke or roast until the internal temperature reaches 195-205°F, about 1.5-2 hours per pound. Spritz with apple juice or broth every 45-60 minutes if desired.
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Rest – Once done, let the pork rest wrapped in foil for at least 30 minutes before pulling.
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Pull – Using forks or your fingers, shred and pull the pork apart into bite-size pieces.
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Serve and enjoy! – Pile the smoky, tender pulled pork onto buns or tortillas and add your favorite barbecue sauce.
Pork Perfection
Cooking pork butt low and slow is the only way to achieve authentic, mouthwatering pulled pork. Allowing 1.5-2 hours per pound at 250°F ensures the meat cooks evenly and becomes perfectly tender. Just remember to use a thermometer and cook until 205°F for fork-tender shreds every time.
Now that you know exactly how long to smoke pork butt at 250°F, you can look forward to incredible homemade pulled pork sandwiches and tacos! Adjust the technique to suit your schedule, and you’ll have juicy, flavorful pork even on a weeknight.
Preparing the Pork Shoulder
1. I usually try to purchase a pork shoulder that weighs roughly 8 pounds. I have found that larger shoulders may be a little bit harder to smoke because the outer meat may dry out before the inner meat is done. Larger shoulders also take longer to smoke. Remember to use a good BBQ mop mop during the smoking process to add moisture, flavor and to help tenderize the meat.
2. The night before you are going to smoke the pork shoulder, apply a thin layer of yellow mustard. Any brand will work fine. This will create a paste that the rub will stick to. Here is a recipe for the rub I use on pork shoulders. After you apply a 
layer of mustard to the pork shoulder, completely coat the shoulder with a good BBQ rub. I have found that it helps to pat the rub into the shoulder to make it stick better. Make sure you have some brown sugar in your rub to add flavor. This also creates a nice bark on the pork shoulder.
3.Wrap the shoulder in plastic wrap, and refrigerate over night.
4. Take the pork shoulder out of the fridge about 1 hour before you are going to put it on the smoker. Although this is not a firm requirement, this will help to bring the internal temp closer to room temperature and reduce the time it takes to smoke. In my opinion, letting the shoulder rest on the counter before putting it on the smoker will also aide in developing a nice smoke ring on the pork shoulder. I have prepared the shoulder many 
ways, and this is my preferred.
What Temperature Should I Cook My Pork Butt At
FAQ
Is 250 too high for pulled pork?
How long to cook 8 lb pork shoulder at 275 degrees?
Should you wrap a pork butt?
How long does it take to cook a 4 pound pork butt?
In a 250° oven, a 4-pound pork butt will take 8 to 9 hours. Bone-in will take a bit longer. Two hours per pound at 250° is a good starting point for timing. This time will vary from 1 ½ hours to 2 ½ hours per pound by the weight and thickness of the meat.
How long should a pork butt be cooked at 225?
As any barbeque enthusiast knows, achieving tender, juicy pork butt is about having the perfect temperature. While some chefs like to cook their pork butts at 225 degrees for 11-12 hours, others prefer to achieve the same flavor and tenderness by cooking their pork butts at a higher 250-degree temperature for 8-10 hours.
How long does pork take to cook?
Check the pork’s internal temperature after 7 hours to ensure it does not overcook. An 8-pound pork butt takes about 8-12 hours. Check the meat’s internal temperature after 8 hours. The pork butt may be cooked in 8 hours. But it may also take 12 hours, depending on the size of the meat.
How long does a boneless pork butt take to cook?
It will take 12-14 hours for a 8-10lb pork butt to fully cook at low temps. About 8 hours in ramp the temp up to 220 and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 190°F. At this point the butt is fully rendered and a thermometer probe will slide in with little to no resistance. How do you smoke a boneless pork butt?