Cooked low and slow, Smoked Pulled Pork is a labor of love, but if you can master this recipe, then you’re in for a world of flavor! This Traeger pulled pork recipe is easy enough for anyone to master! Hungry? Read on and I, Chef Jenn, will show you all my chef tips and tricks to make this smoked pork shoulder turn out perfectly every time! Show
This post may contain affiliate link(s). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See Disclosure. Smoking is an art, and every artist has their own way of doing things. Smoking big cuts of meat like pork butt and brisket take hours and hours, so don’t rush it! But, done right, the flavor and tenderness is so very worth the wait! I’ve been smoking for years, and this is a great starter recipe for Traeger pork butt that can be pulled for the most flavorful pulled pork you can imagine! What You Need To Make Smoked Pulled Pork
That’s it! What is the Best Cut of Meat for Pulled Pork?My favorite cut of meat for smoking pulled pork on the Traeger pellet grill is hands down, pork butt (aka Boston butt). Pork shoulder (aka picnic shoulder; picnic roast) is another good choice. They are both thick enough cuts to take a good smoking without drying out. The key is to find a heavily-fatted cut of pork. Some cuts marked for carnitas have a lot of the fat trimmed away. You want a big, solid cut of pork with lots of visible fat. What’s The Difference Between Pork Shoulder & Pork Butt?There’s a lot of confusion between these two cuts of meat, and some people even think they are the same. They are NOT the same:
Pork butt typically has more fat throughout the meat, and the uniform shape makes it a great choice for low-and-slow cooking. However, smoked pork butt and smoked pork shoulder are both delicious. How To Make Smoked Traeger Pork Butt (Pulled Pork)
Pans on the SmokerSmoked pork shoulder or butt will make a LOT of juice. Many people just pop the meat down on the rack and let it go, with all the juice dripping down into the outside bucket. I don’t like making that much of a mess, so I use foil pans. These are a life-saver! They’re recyclable, and make cleanup so much easier. I invest in a big stack of them, and use them whenever I’m making juicy this smoked Boston butt recipe. How do you PULL Smoked Pulled Pork?Pulling pulled pork isn’t tricky, and there are some gizmos to help make the job easier. The biggest thing you want to do is to remove chunks of excess fat. My sister will disagree with me, but biting into a big hunk of fat when you’re expecting juicy pulled pork isn’t pleasant. These meat claws will make short work of your pork butt, but you can also use a fork or your hands. Chef Jenn’s Tips To Make Perfect Smoked Pulled Pork
What To Serve With This Smoked Pulled Pork RecipeJust gimme a bun, some sauce, and coleslaw and I’m a happy camper! While the most traditional way to serve pulled pork is on a bun, you can also eat it in a taco, just on a plate, or on a sandwich. Some of my favorite sides to go with smoked Boston butt are Mexican Street Corn Salad, coleslaw, or this Chilled Asparagus with Parmesan & Lemon dish. Is Smoked Boston Butt Freezer-Friendly?Oh baby, yes! In fact, When I do pulled pork on the Traeger, I’ll load that sucker up! It takes as much time to do 2-3 smoked pork butts as it does one. I pull it and then freeze it in portions so that we can enjoy big summer flavors all winter long. Simply chill it thoroughly, then load it into freezer-safe plastic zipper-top bags or containers. Freeze it for up to three months. To reheat, simply cover it and heat it in a low oven, or microwave it on medium power until it is warm. Delish! Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best pulled pork temperature? I like cooking my Boston butt to 205. I find that this temp has the most rendered fat and the meat is still moist and juicy. This is a personal choice – anything from 195-205-F will be just fine. Why is my smoked pulled pork tough? You probably didn’t let it smoke long enough. Smoked pulled pork can take HOURS. A 5-pound pork butt takes me about 12 hours. I can shave off an hour or so by cooking it a wee bit higher, but honestly, low and slow is this Traeger smoked pork recipe’s best friend! When to wrap smoked pulled pork? I wrap the pork butt or pork shoulder when it reaches about 160-165-F. This gives it plenty of time to get a nice flavorful bark. Stop spritzing with apple juice once you’ve wrapped the pork. Like this? ALso Try:Step By Step Process
So moist and juicy and packed with flavor, there's nothing quite like smoked pulled pork! Course Main Course Cuisine American Keyword pork, pulled pork, smoked, smoked pulled pork Prep Time 10 minutes Cook Time 12 hours Total Time 12 hours 10 minutes Servings 12 servings Calories 289kcal
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1428mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 452IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg A Note on Nutritional Information Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed. Want Even MOre Easy Family Recipes?Here are some other recipes that your family is sure to love:
How long does it take to make pulled pork in a smoker?Smoke for 8-10 hours. Pull when the internal temperature is between 195 and 203 degrees. Let it rest for 30 - 60 minutes. Pull the pork butt with your hands.
How long does it take to smoke pork at 225?The best way to smoke pork shoulder is to cook it at 225 degrees for 2 hours per pound, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 190 degrees.
How do you smoke pulled pork step by step?How to Smoke Pulled Pork. Step 1: Ingredients. The most important ingredient is the meat. ... . Step 2: Apply Rub. The rub for pulled pork has the following goals: ... . Step 3: Smoke and Smoke and Smoke. Start up your smoker and set its temperature to around 225 degrees. ... . Step 4: Rest and Pull.. How do I cook pulled pork in a pellet smoker?Set temperature to 225°F, close lid, and preheat pellet grill 10 to 15 minutes. Place pork, fat cap side up, on grill grate, close lid, and grill, basting with apple juice mixture every hour, until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portion of pork registers 150°F to 155°F, 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.
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