Perfectly tender smoked Boston butt that is packed with flavor! This is the must-have recipe you need for all your summer events! 

Perfect Pulled Pork! The ultimate BBQ! Learn how easy it is to smoke a boston butt!

 

Growing up in the South, we know a thing or two about how to smoke a boston butt for the best BBQ sandwiches! It’s such a frequent meal for us, my sister chose her first apartment based on it being next door to her favorite BBQ shop. I promise, this smoked boston butt recipe will give you the perfect seasoned crust, and I’ll share exactly when to pull the pork for the best shreddable, tender texture! Don’t be intimidated, this easy barbecue recipe will give you juicy pulled pork every time, great for parties, tailgates, and meal prepping.

Ingredients for a Smoked Boston Butt

For this smoked pulled pork recipe, you’ll need the following basic ingredients:

  • Boston butt
  • Yellow mustard
  • Brown sugar (or a brown sugar alternative like Swerve or Golden Monk Fruit)
  • Spices: Chili powder, Garlic powder, Onion powder, Black pepper, Paprika

How to Smoke a Boston Butt

smoked boston butt with crispy seasoned exterior in aluminum foil
two forks shredding super juicy smoked boston butt for bbq sandwiches
smoked pulled pork on cutting board being shredded
  1. Season – Pat your Boston butt dry, then slather a generous dose of mustard all over the meat to act as the “glue” for the seasoning. Mix together the spice blend, then rub it all over the meat until well coated. Wrap the seasoned boston butt in aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight so that the coating sticks.
  2. Smoke – Heat the smoker up to 250 degrees F, then place the wrapped meat in the center of the grill. Allow it to smoke low and slow for about 9 hours or until the temperature reaches 195 degrees F as measured by a meat thermometer. Do your best to leave it alone until it’s ready to preserve the heat for the best juicy meat!
  3. Shred – Once cooked through, remove from the grill and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. Shred the meat with two forks, then pour over as much juice leftover from the drip pan as you like. Serve with your favorite BBQ sauce.

How Long to Smoke a Boston Butt?

In total, you’ll need to smoke the Boston butt for 9 to 10 hours, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 195 degrees F. Make sure the temperature of the smoker never goes above 300 degrees F.

What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Pork

I served this with slaw (of course) a little extra BBQ sauce (maybe try this Alabama White Sauce Recipe if you like more tang and peppery flavor) on toasted Canyon Bakehouse buns.

Tips for Cooking a Boston Butt

  • The easiest way to distribute the pulled pork rub over the meat is for one person to sprinkle the seasoning on the meat while the other rubs it in. You want to be very generous here — really rub it in and completely cover the meat. You want the whole thing to be packed with flavor in every single bite.
  • When you take it off the grill, be sure to let the smoked Boston butt sit for 10 minutes so all the juices settle and you get the best flavor.
  • We used the smoked pulled pork to make bbq pulled pork sandwiches, but you can also add the meat to salads, wraps, quesadillas, and so much more! I love to use this pulled pork on my Keto BBQ Stacks!
Perfect Pulled Pork! The ultimate BBQ! Learn how easy it is to smoke a boston butt!

Get the Recipe: Smoked Boston Butt

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 9 hours
Rest Time: 10 minutes
Total: 9 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 12
Author: Annie Holmes
Perfectly tender smoked Boston butt that is packed with flavor! This is the must-have recipe you need for all your summer events! 
4.60 from 5 ratings
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Ingredients
 

  • 6-7 pound Boston Butt
  • 1/4 cup yellow mustard, enough to cover
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon brown sugar OR brown sugar Monkfruit if keto
  • 2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons paprika

Instructions
 

  • Combine the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and paprika in a small bowl, set aside.
  • Spread the mustard all over the boston butt covering it completely.
  • Rub the spice mix into the meat, make sure to cover it completely.
  • Wrap the meat with aluminum foil and refrigerate until ready to smoke.
  • When ready to cook, heat your smoker to 250 degrees F and place the boston butt in the center of the grill.
  • Smoke for 9-10 hours, making sure the heat never increases above 300 degrees.
  • Remove from grill when the internal temp reaches 195 degrees F. Before pulling apart, let meat sit for 10 minutes.
Serving: 8ounces (calculated with monkfruit), Calories: 437kcal, Carbohydrates: 2.2g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 28g, Cholesterol: 140mg, Sodium: 308mg, Fiber: 0.9g, Sugar: 0.2g
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