Pork Butt Tips and Hacks

Pulled pork is one of the most versatile and forgiving types of barbecue you can make. That's why it is a great way for a beginner to get started with smoking meats and getting their feet wet in the world of barbecue. This guide will provide some extra tips and "hacks" that can enhance and provide some alternate methods of smoking a pork butt. If this is your first time making pulled pork or you haven't read our other articles on smoking pork butts, check these out first, then come back here for the next chapter.

How to Smoke a Pork Butt

How to: Hot and Fast Pork Butt

Tips and hacks for smoking a pork butt

The purpose of this guide is to provide some alternate methods of preparation compared to our previous guides and what are considered the normal steps of smoking a pork butt.

1. Time is the most important ingredient!

• Seasoning time - Giving your rub about 20-30 minutes to adhere to the meat is a tried and true way to help build a better bark. The salt in your seasoning will pull moisture out from the surface of the roast and help turn your dry rub into a tacky coating of pure flavor.
• Cook time - Whether you are going for the low and slow method or cranking the heat up and going hot and fast, plan for an extra hour of cook time if you can. Large cuts like pork roast never cook all at the same rate. Even if you do end up at the right temp and doneness early, that extra time can go into the next step, the resting time.
• Give it a REST - This step is important on any big cut of meat, the more time you give to letting the pork butt rest, the better your chances are of a tender and moist pulled pork in the end. You can rest in a well-insulated cooler(no ice please) where the residual heat in the pork butt can be retained for as long as possible, aiding in the continued rendering of fat and connective tissue in the roast. If your oven has a "LOW" or "WARM" setting, you can use that as a way to warm rest the pork until you are ready to pull and serve.  

 2. Brining

Typically not something that gets mentioned when talking about smoking pork butts, brining can be a way to add extra moisture and flavor to your final product. Due to its fat content, pork butt isn't something that is known to dry out too much while smoking, but a brine can help add more moisture and a little extra insurance in case you go over the target temp. The main benefit will be in FLAVOR! Our Signature or Sweet Tea brines are perfect for any kind of pork, including pulled pork. Our favorite combination is the sweet tea brined pork butt seasoned with Spellbound rub. That combo makes insanely flavorful pulled pork!

3. Garlic Lover's Pulled Pork

Borrowing a method from an old-school roast recipe, inserting whole garlic cloves into your pork butt before smoking can create an incredibly garlicky and flavorful pulled pork that's different from any traditional method you may have tried.

Insert a small paring knife straight down into the roast, making small but deep slits all the way around. Push a whole, peeled clove of garlic down into each slit, making sure that no part of the garlic is exposed. Any exposed garlic will burn and become very bitter. At the end of the cook, each clove should be soft enough to mash and will mix in perfectly as you shred the meat. 

4. Shred like a pro

There are several ways to break down a pork butt once it's perfectly smoked and tender. From using just your hands to hand mixers to even large electric mixers, the ways to pull pork are endless. We really like to use a set of our meat claws to do the job! 

These can easily help you remove the pork from the grill and shred it all, all while keeping your hands clean and safe from the heat. They are easy to clean and store and can come in handy in many different ways around the kitchen and grill. These claws can make short work of a pork butt and have you enjoying the fruits of your labor quicker and cleaner.

5. Season before AND after smoking

My final tip is simple: like with all foods, don't be afraid to taste as you go. Once your pork is ready to shred, take a quick bite to see how well seasoned it is. I often find out that even a well rubbed pork butt can lack a little as you get into the meat in the center of the roast. Mix in some more of your chosen rub to the meat after it's pulled just to bring more of those flavors out in whatever dish you make with your pork. Other great additions to shredded meat are finishing salts, Itsa Vinegar sauce, brown sugar, butter, and your favorite hot sauce.

Summary

Nothing quite satisfies and gives you as many options to work with as pulled pork. We really hope you give one or more of these tips a shot for your next pork butt cook. These are all fantastic ways to elevate a standard pulled pork and will surely please and impress your family, friends, and guests at your next gathering! We want to empower you to keep experimenting and trying new ideas and techniques with your cooking and grilling adventures. If you have any great tips or hacks for smoking a pork butt, comment down below and let us know.

Happy grilling!