Fool Proof Boston Butt Recipe
Pork butt or shoulder are often the meat of choice for making pulled pork.
However, this isn't the only way to use this beautiful cut of meat.
Below, we will provide you with three pork butt oven recipes that you can try. The first will be pulled pork, as every chef should know how to make this signature dish.
We have also outlined two other pork oven recipes you can use to step outside of your comfort zone.
You also don’t have to make these dishes in the oven. A grill or smoker works just as well. However, we’ve chosen the oven as the preferred method because you can use these recipes all year round no matter the weather.
BBQ Pulled Pork
Do you need a low and slow-cooked barbecue pulled pork recipe? Learn how to cook pulled pork in the oven using the recipe below.
Step 1 - Decide on a Dry Rub & Liquid Smoke to Use
To get the most flavorful pulled pork possible, you should figure out what kind of dry rub and liquid smoke you want to use.
You can purchase a dry rub from the store or mix the following ingredients to create your own dry rub recipe:
½ cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
You can find liquid smoke from your local grocer. Make sure it is suitable to use with an oven.
Step 2 - Prepare Your Pork Butt
Place a 4-pound bone-in or boneless pork butt on a large piece of plastic wrap. The weight doesn't have to be exact, but try to keep it in the 3.5-4.5 pound range so you can follow this pulled pork recipe as closely as possible.
Rub about 2 tablespoons of liquid smoke into the meat. This part of the recipe is optional, but it will give your roasted pork a distinctive and desirable wood flavor.
Coat the meat with about 1 cup of your dry rub. Completely wrap the pork in plastic and place it in the fridge for a few hours. You can also leave it to sit in the fridge overnight.
Step 3 - Cook Your Pork Butt
When you're ready to cook your pork butt, start by preheating your oven to 250°F.
Prepare a large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan with aluminum foil and spray it generously with cooking spray.
Place the pork butt onto your baking sheet or roasting pan and let it bake in the oven until it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F. This process should take around 9 hours.
The cooking time will vary depending on how large your cut of meat is and whether it's boneless. You will need to keep a watchful eye on your meat to ensure it doesn't overcook in the oven.
This longer low and slow oven recipe produces much more tender meat than if cooked only to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 4 - Wrap & Shred Your Pork Butt
After your pork has reached the ideal internal temperature, take it out of the oven and place it directly on a tinfoil sheet.
Wrap it securely with the tinfoil. Wrap it again with several paper towels and let it rest in a small cooler for an hour before shredding it. Place the meat on the counter away from the oven for cooling.
Shred the meat with two forks and watch it fall right off the bone, giving you heavenly pulled pork.
