Smoked Pork Butt (Pulled Pork) β Tender, Juicy, and Easy
Smoked pork butt is the king of backyard BBQ. This recipe walks you through how to create tender, juicy pulled pork with deep smoky flavor, a perfect bark, and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether youβre using a pellet grill, offset smoker, or charcoal setup, this guide covers everything from prep to shredding. Smoked low and slow, pork shoulder is the way to go if youβre looking for something thatβs easy to make and hits your tastebuds perfectly no matter how itβs served.Β

How to Choose The Best Pork Shoulder for Smoking
Whatβs the most commonly ordered meal when you hit a barbeque restaurant? You bet, the pulled pork. What makes it so good?Β
Β Quality Cut Matters.
Aside from a proper smoke time and temperature, itβs the fat.Β

Consider purchasing your pork shoulder from your local butcher. The fresher the better.Β
When purchasing your pork shoulder, look for one that is pink in color and has some marbling (that marbling is the fat that gives the pork so much flavor). Another purchasing tip: consider using a bone-in shoulder. Itβll give you the perfect βfall off the boneβ roast youβre looking for.

Is There a Difference Between a Pork Shoulder and a Pork Butt?
No, there isnβt, both come from the shoulder of the pigβif your cut is labeled a pork butt, itβs higher up on the foreleg. Β
How to Make Smoked Pork Shoulder
The secret to making the best smoked pork shoulder is to keep it moist. Dry pork ends up being tossed in barbeque sauces and doesnβt get the attention it truly deserves.Β
In order to create a moist smoked shoulder, we recommend aΒ pork injection using a meat injector. This is done the night prior to smoking. Itβs easy to do, in fact, you can pick up a cheap injector at your local grocery store. Just toss the injection ingredients together, inject it into the pork shoulder, and let it take in all the juices for the evening.Β

Pork Shoulder Temperature
After youβve let your pork shoulder sit overnight, youβll want to preheat your smoker. Preheat your smoker to 225Β°F. Smoking at the correct temperature gives the pork the best texture and the best flavor.Β
A Pork Butt Recipe Secret: The Rub Down
While you wait for your smoker to preheat, rub down your pork butt with spices to really enhance the flavor.Β
Spice rubs are all the rage for meats that are smoked, grilled, roasted, etc. But thereβs a secret to the perfect rub: mustard.Β
The acidity in the mustard will tenderize the meat.Β

After youβve coated your pork shoulder in the mustard, you can add your favorite rub to all sides of the pork. My favorite ingredients to add to a pork rub include:Β
- Sweet Paprika
- Ground Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cayenne Pepper, and
- Garlic Powder

Smoked Pork Butt: Timing is Key
Smoked pork shoulder requires patience. Not because itβs difficult to do, but because the smoking process can take anywhere between 15-20 hours.
For every pound of meat, youβll want to leave in it the smoker for 120 minutes. The time may vary based on the consistency of your smoker and the size of the pork shoulder.Β

Once your pork shoulder has reached an internal temperature of 190-201Β°F, itβs ready to be taken out of the smoker.Β
But donβt start shredding yet.Β
To lock in all the flavors, wrap the pork butt in foil and let it rest for at least an hour.Β

When should you shred your Pulled Pork?
Finally, you can begin shredding your pork butt has rested for at least 1 hour and is cool enough to handle.
I usually prefer to use my hands, but you can also use two forks to shred the meat apart.![]()
Make sure you remove any bones and excess fat from the pan andΒ add juices or additional seasoning for that extra added flavor.

What do you serve with Pulled Pork Sandwiches?
You can always serve a traditional coleslaw, potato salad, or french fries, but the sky is the limit when it comes to the variety of BBQ side dishes that could pair nicely with pulled pork sandwiches.

Interested in brining or injecting your pork shoulder? Check out my recipes: Pork Shoulder Brine and Pork Shoulder Injection.
Smoked Pork Butt Recipe
Ingredients
- 8-10 pound bone-in pork shoulder pork butt
- Yellow Mustard enough to coat exterior
Spice Rub
- ΒΌ Cup Sweet Paprika
- 2 Tablespoons Ground Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Dry Mustard
- Β½ Teaspoon Chili Powder
- Β½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Β½ Teaspoon Cayenne Powder
Pork Injection
- 1 cup Apple Juice
- 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt
- Β½ cup Water
- Β½ cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
- β teaspoon of paprika
- β teaspoon of garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- ΒΌ cup Apple cider vinegar
- ΒΌ cup Amesphos phosphates
Instructions
- Prepare and season your pork shoulder a day before you are planning to smoke your pork shoulder.Β
- Remove your roast from the packaging and wipe it down on all sides with paper towels, allow to rest for an hour.
- Coat the entire exterior of the pork shoulder with the yellow mustard.
- Season your pork shoulder on all sides, top, and bottom, with the spice rub.Β
- Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F for indirect smoking.
- Place your seasoned pork butt on the smoker fat side up.
- Close the lid and smoke the pork until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 195 degrees F. You can cook to 201 degrees F if you like softer pork. This process can take anywhere between 15-20 hours, depending on the consistency of heat in your smoker and the size of your pork shoulder.
- Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and wrap tightly in foil. Allow the roast to rest for at least an hour before shredding.
- Pull apart the shoulder, discarding any chunks of fat or gristle. Sprinkle the roast with an additional tablespoon or so of the spice rub.
Notes
Nutrition
All you pitmasters need to check out my other recipes:
- Smoked Brisket Recipe Techniques (Temperature and Time)Β
- How to Smoke Sausage on Smoker β Smoked Sausage RecipeΒ
- Smoked Turkey Recipe
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