See our full disclosures here. 3. If youre looking for pulled pork, go with pork shoulder. Add the rest of the other ingredients. There are a few things that you can do to prevent your pork shoulder from drying out. For pulled pork, leave it on the heat until the internal temp reaches 195. The idea here isnt to smoke the meat until its warm enough to eat (145 Fahrenheit) but to smoke it to around 200. Smoked pork shoulder will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you purchase something through our posts, we may receive a commission at no extra charge to you. 3. If you choose to brine, youll have to prepare a day ahead. Once the pork reaches at least 165 degrees F, pull it from the smoker, remove the meat thermometer and spritz it. The internal temperature of the pork should be about 205F for it to be fully cooked and shreddable with a fork. Then wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. This will help prevent it from drying out. Either way, youll end up with a delicious result that your family and friends will love. Cut the fat cap down so its no more than a 1/4-inch thick. Wait until the internal temperature of the pork shoulder reaches 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Injecting your pork shoulder adds flavor throughout the meats interior and not just to the outside. More significant cuts of meat take more time. But if youre just putting a few handfuls of wood chips on the smoker, that shouldnt affect the cooking time. However, both temperature ranges will produce a delicious smoked pork shoulder, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. This is a fool-proof recipe that you can whip together in a few moments. So what are you waiting for? for the cooking time. The entire cooking time will also be determined by the consistency of your smokers temperature. If the temp tends to skew high, the meat could cook . For that reason, its best practice to cover the meat in aluminum foil after a certain point. If youre new to the world of Boston butts, the first thing you should know is that its not actually cut from the butt of a pig. Apply a liberal amount of rub, rubbing or patting it into the meat. If you want to go beyond 12 hours of cooking time, youre better off using a larger piece of meat so that it retains more moisture during the cooking process. How Long to Smoke Pork Shoulder at 225 F - Half-Scratched A good rule of thumb is to smoke pork shoulder at 225 degrees for about 8 hours. After smoking your pork for 3 t0 4 hours, use a spray bottle to spritz your meat with the aforementioned brine. A good rule of thumb is to smoke pork shoulder at 225 degrees for about 8 hours. If youre looking for something thats easy and that can go with just about any kind of smoked pork shoulder (whether its pulled or sliced), here are a few suggestions: Slow smoked pork shoulders do get more tender the longer they cook, but there are diminishing returns. This is completely normal. A marinade will only soak so far into the meat, but if you want to evenly distribute flavor, you can inject it directly into the pork shoulder. In general, you smoke pork shoulder for 1 hour and 15 minutes per pound at 250 degrees F. So, youd smoke an 8 lb pork shoulder for about 10 hours. After several hours over low heat, the connective tissues and fats render down into a richly flavored and succulently tender meat thats perfect for pulled pork sandwiches, barbeque tacos, and other dishes. Here are a few benefits of smoking pork shoulder: -Smoked pork shoulder is packed with flavor. The type of wood that you use to smoke pork shoulder will depend on the flavor that youre going for. 4. Finally, the bone can also act similar to a temperature gauge. While not necessary, you can also opt to brine the meat. Manage Settings Season the pork shoulder with your favorite rub. Smoking can discolor your regular pans and be a real hassle to clean up. Pork shoulder benefits from the low-and-slow treatment because it includes a large fat cap and plenty of connective tissue. The internal temperature should be 200 degrees. 6. At this point, if youre serving the pork sliced, remove it from the smoker and set it aside to rest. Step 3. If youre looking for a quick snack, this should be one of your go-tos. Add the apple cider vinegar and water to a food-safe spray bottle to use during the Spritz step. James was born and raised in Maine, and he has always been passionate about cooking. amzn_assoc_placement="adunit0";amzn_assoc_tracking_id="acadiahouse-20";amzn_assoc_ad_mode="search";amzn_assoc_ad_type="smart";amzn_assoc_marketplace="amazon";amzn_assoc_region="US";amzn_assoc_default_search_phrase="Smoke Pork Shoulder";amzn_assoc_default_category="All";amzn_assoc_linkid="2c8300afc35dc597c60fd016a46a4b0c";amzn_assoc_search_bar="false";amzn_assoc_search_bar_position="top";amzn_assoc_title="Shop Related Products";amzn_assoc_rows="2"; Now that you know how long to smoke pork shoulder at 225 degrees, its time to learn how to do it. It may take all day to cook but smoked pork shoulder is always worth the time, patience, and effort. Smoking pork shoulder is a great way to cook this delicious piece of meat. Below is an exhaustive guide on preparing the best 8 pounds of pork shoulder. This will help crisp up the outside of the meat. Store it in a covered area, such as an oven or microwave (without heat) or a cooler (without any ice). Most people prefer using Dijon mustard as it adds depth to your flavor. Whether you want to make a fresh meal, a quick snack, or even use leftover pork, there are a ton of recipe ideas to try. Smoking is a great way to cook a pork shoulder. The low heat will dissolve the fat and connective tissue over time, yielding meat that is soft enough to shred with a fork. Pork butt, on the other hand, is a bit more forgiving. Start by filling the lower section with wood pellets, then top them off with charcoal. Once youve smoked your pork shoulder and its time to eat, you might be wondering how to store the leftover pulled pork. Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and wrap it in foil. Adding a dry rub to your meat can add delicious layers of flavor to your smoked meat. Both cuts come from the hogs front leg, but they are different parts of the animal. However, if youre worried about the meat turning mushy, you can also heat it in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes. There are so many delicious possibilities with perfectly smoked pork shoulder! It weighs between 6 to 10 pounds on average, and the cut has a rectangular appearance, with a nice fat cap and a great deal of marbling. Remove pork shoulder from the smoker, wrap the pork shoulder, and rest for 1 hour. Soak your wood chips in water for 30 minutes before adding them to the smoker. Remove the pork shoulder from the smoker and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving. I do not recommend using the bone method in place of the meat thermometer, but its an additional tool at your disposal! Both the pork butt and pork shoulder are excellent cuts of meat for making pulled pork. Every roast is different, and the total length of the cook depends on a number of factors, like whether the roast is boneless or bone-in, the reliability of the smoker, and the ambient temperature. The base needs to be liquid, even if it is not overly acidic. This means you likely have to season your meat ahead of time and leave it to rest. Bark color may range from deep red to black. Set this aside while you prepare the Boston butt. After an hour, place the meat on the counter and open the foil. If its completely frozen, youre better off thawing the pork in cold water for an hour or so first. This will result in a more traditional barbecue flavor that is perfect for ribs or chopped pork. Before learning how long to smoke 8lb pork shoulder, youll want to make sure all the steps above are followed. Smoke some pork shoulder today! The lower part of the shoulder is called the picnic roast, picnic shoulder, or simply pork shoulder. If youve never tried smoking pork shoulder, I recommend reading through this cooking guide and checking the table below to get an estimate of how long it will take. -2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed, -1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained. It has an irregular shape and less marbling than the butt end, and weighs about 5 to 8 pounds. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. When pulling, you can use a fork to gently run across the meat. The meat should come apart easily, in string-like sections. Place your pork shoulder in the smoker. Pork shoulder is a primal cut from the pigs shoulder and can be further divided into picnic shoulder and pork butt, also called the Boston butt. Season the pork shoulder with your favorite rub. When you expose a pork shoulder to 225 heat for such a long time, it allows some of the fat to render away without sacrificing moisture or flavor. Its typically sold bone-in and skinless. ), How Long Does Deli Chicken Last? How Long To Smoke Pork Loin Per Pound For Optimum Results Next, put the pork shoulder on the grate and close the lid of the smoker. Bone-in Leaving the bone in place makes the pork stable when youre cooking it. Once the outside of the pork is a deep color, begin spritzing. If youre smoking pork shoulder at 225 degrees, it will take 6-8 hours to cook. How Long To Smoke Pork Shoulder At 225? - The Rocking Horse Chicago I like using a bag because I can squeeze out the excess air. After wrapping the butt in foil, you should be able to capture some of these juices and pour them off into a measuring cup. Take the internal temperature of each end before removing it from the smoker, just to be sure. 1. 9. If so, it should be well-smoked throughout the entire shoulder. Smoked Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt) - Don't Sweat The Recipe Its slightly triangular in shape, and the cut is usually sold with the skin on, both of which are characteristics that help to distinguish it from the butt. Trim excess fat and silver skin off of the pork shoulder. -Soak your wood chips in water for 30 minutes before adding them to the smoker. How Long To Cook A Bone In Beed Ribeye Roast? Before smoking the pork shoulder, trim off any excess fat as described above. We hope you found it helpful. How Long to Smoke Pork Shoulder at 275 Degrees By using a meat thermometer, you can ensure that your pork shoulder is cooked to a safe internal temperature and avoid any risk of food poisoning. The time you leave the meat while seasoned can be influenced by various factors. Spritz the outside of the pork every 30 minutes until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Once it hits this temperature, it is likely coming out of the stall. How long to cook pork roast in oven at 375. Bottom line, there is no definitive answer to the question of how long to smoke pork shoulder. About ten minutes to your cook time, add your wood and fill the water tank and ensure the heat is right. While the bone contributes a ton of flavor, it can also lengthen the amount of time the meat needs on the smoker. But youll first have to let it cook long enough. This will help trap in the moisture and prevent the meat from drying out. If youre using a charcoal smoker, start by lighting a chimney full of coals. The total process takes a long time, about 12-16 hours. Pork butt actually comes from the shoulder. If youre certain, the smoker is working properly, just continue smoking and trust in the process. This shouldnt take long if youre using charcoal as your heat source. I included a simple recipe for both at the end of this article if you need one. a Boston butt) is a square-shaped cut of meat from the upper shoulder region of the pig. If youre looking for a juicier, more tender result, smoke your pork shoulder at 225 degrees for 6-8 hours. If that's what you're looking for, you've come to the right place. You can also use regular yellow mustard in a pinch. That might sound like a long time, particularly if you're a novice. 1 pound boneless or bone-in pork shoulder, about 6-8 pounds. At What Temperature Should I Smoke Pork Shoulder? It also adds flavor as it cooks. The real determining factor of when it is ready is the internal temperature. Continue to smoke the pork butt at 250 degrees F until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 195 200 degrees F. If you let the pork go until about 200 degrees F, it will be more tender. Get it right this time! This will help to ensure that the pork cooks evenly and doesnt dry out during the smoking process. This is fairly common, and you need not be concerned. Its your pork, after all. 3. When you start prepping the smoker (or about the hour mark before you start cooking), remove the pork from the fridge and leave it to rest at room temperature. This will directly affect the temperature in your smoker, as well as how thick the smoke gets. Smoke the pork shoulder at 225 degrees for 8 hours. How to Smoke 8lbs of Pork Shoulder and Keep it Moist, How to Cook Pork Loin Like a Pro Step by Step, How Long To Grill Bubba Burgers (Complete Guide), How Much BBQ Meat Per Person Do You Need (Party Catering Guide), How Long to Cook Juicy Chicken on a Charcoal Grill, How to Grill Wagyu Steak so Its Perfectly Cooked, In-Depth: How Long a 1lb Propane Tank Lasts on a Grill, PowerXl Air Fryer Review: What You Need to Know, How To BBQ Perfectly Cooked Top Sirloin Steak, Franklin BBQ Brisket Recipe (Secrets Revealed). Using a sharp knife, gently (and carefully) cut off the top portions of the fat cap until it reaches no more than 1/4 inch of thickness. The day before smoking the pork shoulder, prepare the pork. Pork chili. Once the smoker is at 250 degrees F, place your pork inside and place a meat thermometer to monitor temperature changes. Set the pork shoulder on the cooking grate of the smoker with the fat side facing up. For example, you can capture traditional Mayan flavors using some sour orange juice, achiote, garlic, spices, and banana leaves. Place the pork shoulder in the smoker and cook for 8 hours, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 200 degrees. 5. If you find any cartilage or fat when pulling, simply toss it aside and continue. I prefer to use butcher paper, which allows more smoke to enter while preserving the bark. Fun Fact: Pork butt gets its name from large meat storage barrels, called butts. If the fat cap is soft, youre better off choosing a different cut. Tip: If youre making pulled pork, we recommend squeezing the leftover fat cap over the shredded meat to contribute extra moisture and flavor. For a 6-pound cut, lengthen the cooking window to 9 to 12 hours. Then spritz meat every 30 min until internal temp reaches 165 degrees F, 4. 4. Every time you open the lid, youll let heat out and have to then readjust the temperature. This cooking time will produce a tender, juicy result that is perfect for pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. For best results, smoked pork shoulder should be cooked slowly at a low temperature. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As a professional chef, I am often asked how long to smoke pork shoulder at 225 degrees. Smoking 101: How Long To Smoke 8 lb Pork Butt? Pork Butt is the more popular choice. The pulled pork sandwich is best served with coleslaw on the side. Apply a liberal amount of mustard, coating the entire surface of the meat. And since you asked, yes, that probably is barbecue sauce on my face. Remove these glands as they can leave an unpleasant texture on your meat. Yes. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This cooking time will produce a more traditional barbecue flavor that is perfect for ribs or chopped pork. Dry any excess liquid in the pan. But the prep time is a matter of minutes. For standard 6 lbs Boston butts, I would recommend covering them around the 5-hour mark. Pork butt, on the other hand, is a bit more forgiving. My favorite is pulled pork on a Hawaiian roll. You want an internal temperature for pork shoulder of 190 200 degrees F. Pork is pullable at 180 degrees F but it likely wont be tender enough at that temp. Try not to go above 300, though, or the meat wont have the right texture. If that's what you're looking for, you've come to the right place. Bone adds flavor to the meat during a long cook. In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Remember to trim down the fat cap to a 1/4 inch or less thickness. Pellets are made of compressed hardwood and should all burn at roughly the same rate. 3. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. In most cases, the fat cap takes only a small part of your meat. You can use a kitchen thermometer if your smoker doesnt have one. If you come across fat or cartilage, toss it as you go. The lengthy cooking time ensures the meat is fully cooked through, and the flavor gets to every part of your pork. The whole shoulder is hugenormally between 12 and 18 pounds. So, if youre looking for a traditional barbecue flavor, smoke your pork shoulder at 200 degrees. The fat cap is a top layer of hard white fat. How to Smoke a Pork Butt for Pulled Pork - Traeger Grills For smokers that run on the hotter side, try a setting of 220 degrees. Choose the right cut of pork shoulder. Brining is a slow process, and you should start on your shoulder about 15 hours before preparing it. The following guide covers everything you need to know to pick out the best pork shoulder, prep it, brine it, and smoke it to perfection! So what are you waiting for? Although we recommend checking the porks internal temperature regularly at the 10-hour mark, a total cooking time of 12 to 18 hours is more realistic. The smoker type doesnt matter as long as the temperature remains steady throughout the cooking process. At this point, the meat will be soft enough to slice easily yet not so tender that it falls apart under the knife. Understandably, though, a 6 lbs pork butt will make a lot of meat so, you can freeze any leftovers in a sealed container for up to 6 months. There are a variety of factors that will affect how long it takes for the pork shoulder to be cooked through. In most cases, you likely need a small amount of pork for your recipe. If you keep the temperatures within your smoker at a stable 275 degrees on average, smoking pork shoulders should take from 80 to around 90 minutes for every pound of meat. You can test its tenderness by sticking a paring knife into it; if it easily slides through without too much resistance, then the pork is done. Avoid using pine or cedar, as these woods can make the meat taste bitter. https://www.acadiahouseprovisions.com/ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, as well as toother websites that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. 6. As a mom of three little eaters, I am excited to share my love of cooking, smoking, and baking with you. If you're wondering how long to smoke an 8lb pork shoulder at 225, the answer is not as straightforward as you might think. Good dry rubs for pork contain a sweet element. The main reason people opt for this cut over pork butt is its skin. Kettle Corn vs Popcorn: What Is the Difference? This will give any fat a chance to render and make the pork loin roast more tender and juicy throughout. In order to achieve the right texture, pork shoulder needs time as well as heat. I like to use mustard as my acidic, dry rub base. Once the coals are lit, dump them into the firebox of your smoker. A large part of learning to smoke barbeque is mastering the amount of smokiness you infuse into the meat. Place the pork shoulder on your smoker and smoke at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for about 8 hours, or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. During the cooking process, the sugar will add barking to the outer layer of the meat. Acids work as tenderizers, breaking down fibers in food during the smoking process. Or, better yet, rinse them and recycle them. You may even want to try cutting it to different levels of thickness for other cooks and see which one you prefer. into a foil pan. But if you have the time, why not do both? It will take approximately 6 hours to smoke a 6 pound pork shoulder at 250 degrees. When Im not researching and learning all I can about the latest tips and techniques, you can find me at the grillthat is, if you can spot me at all through the clouds of sweet-smelling smoke. Its easier to handle and cut since it doesnt taper down the leg like picnic shoulder. To smoke the best pork shoulder, you need to prep it and show it some TLC during the smoking process. The total cooking time will also depend on the reliability of your smoker's temperature. What is the Difference Between Smoking Pork Shoulder at 225 Degrees and 200 Degrees? If you want to experiment with something different, try using pecan or oak. Double wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or butcher paper. When reheating smoked pork shoulder, be sure to add some moisture back into the meat. While its possible to buy the whole thing, its more commonly divided into sections, which is where things get confusing. When the pork shoulder reaches about 190F, start checking it for tenderness with a fork. Pork shoulder is a primal cut from, you guessed it, the pigs shoulder. Trim the fat from the pork shoulder. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During the process, you may notice your meat plump a bit. Once the pork shoulder has smoked for 6-8 hours, remove it from the smoker and allow it to rest for 30 minutes before carving or shredding. Simple Smoked Pulled Pork Butt (Smoked Pork Shoulder) First of all, after about four hours of cooking time, start checking on the meat every hour or so. Side Pork vs Pork Belly: Everything You Need To Know, How Long To Smoke Pork Loin at 275, 200, & 220: A Guide. 5. At 225 degrees, the pork shoulder should cook at a rate of 60 to 90 minutes per pound. If you only have overnight, that is okay. Smoked pork shoulder is delicious served with coleslaw, baked beans, and cornbread. (How to Store It), Is It Safe to Eat Leftover Sushi?
