Smoked Boston Butt {Pulled Pork}

Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork is a simple, tasty, and better yet, easy meal that comes out flavorful and tender.

Pulled pork is a summertime (or really anytime) dinner that takes little effort. Whether served on a plate with sides or in a toasted bun topped with coleslaw, this smoked pork butt is destined to be a favorite go-to meal.

Pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and pickles.

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What's the difference between pork shoulder and Boston butt?
Recipe ingredients
Step by step directions
How to serve
Recipe FAQs
Our favorite tools to make Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork!
Other Related Side Dish Recipes
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Pulled pork is delicious whether you cook it in a Dutch oven or the slow cooker. But the flavor is intensified when cooked in a smoker.

What's the difference between pork shoulder and Boston butt?

Nothing. According to the Pork Council, they are the same cut. Pork shoulder is the most commonly seen name, but it can also be labeled as Boston butt, pork butt, picnic roast, and blade roast.

Can Boston butt be used for pulled pork?

Yes, it's actually the best and most common cut of pork used for pulled pork.

Recipe ingredients

Ingredients individually pictured to make this recipe: olive oil, pork roast, dry rub, and BBQ sauce.

Boston butt pork roast — this cut can also be labeled as picnic roast, pork shoulder, pork butt, or blade roast. We used bone in pork.
Olive oil — to coat the roast before seasoning and smoking.
Dry rub — flavor enhancer.
BBQ sauce — technically this is optional, but we love to slather on the sauce once the meat is done.

Step by step directions

The boston butt pork roast has been coated in olive oil and the dry rub and is resting on a cutting board before smoking. — **Step 1**

The pork shoulder has been placed in the smoker and the meat thermometer probes have been inserted into the meat. — **Step 1**

Step 1 — Coat the roast in the olive oil, making sure it is coated on all sides and ends. Then pat the bbq rub seasonings all over the roast.

Step 2 — Place on the smoker grates and heat the smoker to 225°F, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. (6-7 hours.) Our smoker has meat thermometer probes, but a regular meat thermometer will work perfectly as well.

The smoked pork butt has been placed in a cast iron skillet and tightly covered with aluminum foil and placed back in the smoker to continue cooking.

The smoked pork shoulder is fully cooked and has rested.

Step 3 — Once this soon to be delicious piece of meat reaches an internal temp of 160°F, place the pork in a cast iron skillet and cover with aluminum foil. Turn the smoker up to 300°F and continue to cook the pork shoulder until the temperature of the meat reaches 210°F.

Step 4 — Once done, remove the skillet from the smoker and place it in cold oven to rest for at least 45 minutes. Do not remove the aluminum foil covering. After the resting time, uncover and remove from the oven.

The smoked meat has been shredded for pulled pork inside a cast iron skillet. — **Step 5**

Step 5 — Use two forks to shred the meat right in the cast iron skillet. Coat with your favorite bbq sauce (if desired) and serve this delicious smoked pulled pork.

How to serve

There are many ways to enjoy this Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork. Here's some of our favorites.

Toasted bun — Toast your favorite hamburger bun and pile the meat high.
Slathered in barbecue sauce — either completely coat or simply drizzle your favorite sauce.
Topped with coleslaw — coleslaw is a classic accompaniment to pulled pork.
On a plate with delicious sides — just like at your favorite BBQ joint, simply plate it and serve with delicious sides like baked beans, corn on the cob, and cornbread.

Close up view of the pulled pork in a bun topped with coleslaw; pickles off to the side and bbq sauce in the background.

Recipe FAQs

Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely. You'll want to make sure the pork has been shredded and completely cooled before placing it in freezer-safe zip-seal bag. Remove all excess air to prevent freezer burn and ice crystals forming which can adversely affect flavor.

What do I do with leftovers? There's not enough for another meal.

Using the leftover meat in tacos is delicious. We love using it on nachos (recipe coming soon.)

Can I brine the pork before making this recipe.

Yes! Just make sure to complete pat the roast dry before coating it with the olive oil.

Smoked pulled pork piled high on a bun topped with coleslaw, pickles as a garnish.

Our favorite tools to make Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork!

Stargazer 12 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

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BuzzyWaxx Original Blend - Cast Iron and Carbon Steel Seasoning

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If you tried this Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Get the Recipe

Smoked pulled pork in a bun topped with coleslaw.

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5 from 25 votes

Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork

Smoked Boston Butt Pulled Pork is a simple, tasty, and better yet, easy meal that comes out flavorful and tender.

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Resting time45

Total Time8 55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 328kcal

Author: Ned Adams

Equipment

▢
12" Cast Iron Skillet
▢
Smoker

Ingredients

▢ 5 lb Boston butt pork roast (4-5 lb.); bone-in
▢ 16 oz pork rub seasoning
▢ 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

US Standard - Metric

Instructions

Coat the roast in the olive oil, making sure it is coated on all sides and ends.
Pat the bbq rub seasonings all over the roast.
Place on the smoker grates and smoke at 225°F, until it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F. (6-7 hours.)
Once the meat reaches an internal temp of 160°F, place it in a cast iron skillet and cover with aluminum foil.
Turn the smoker up to 300°F and continue to cook the pork shoulder until the internal temp reaches 210°F.
Once done, remove the skillet from the smoker and place it in cold oven to rest for 45 minutes. Do not remove the aluminum foil covering.
Use two forks to shred the meat.
Coat with your favorite bbq sauce (if desired) and serve.

Notes

Can I freeze leftovers?

Absolutely. You’ll want to make sure the pork has been shredded and completely cooled before placing it in freezer-safe zip-seal bag. Remove all excess air to prevent freezer burn and ice crystals forming which can adversely affect flavor.

What do I do with leftovers? There’s not enough for another meal.

Using the leftover meat in tacos is delicious. We love using it on nachos (recipe coming soon.)

Can I brine the pork before making this recipe.

Yes! Just make sure to complete pat the roast dry before coating it with the olive oil.

Nutrition

Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

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Smoked Boston Butt {Pulled Pork}