How to Smoke Pork Butt / How to Make Pulled Pork Recipe

pork butt

🥗Healthier: pork tenderloin

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Pork tenderloin is leaner, while pork shoulder is more economical for large feeds.

barbecue sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade barbecue sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup with spices

Homemade sauce can be lower in sugar and preservatives.

Score the fat on top of the pork butt.

Season the pork butt with a rub made of brown sugar, black pepper, garlic powder, ancho chili powder, and onion powder.

Prepare a 50/50 mix of kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper for another pork butt.

Place the seasoned pork butt on the smoker at 250°F using pecan wood.

Cook for 3 hours without opening the smoker.

Check the internal temperature after 4 hours; it should be around 156°F.

Start spraying the pork with apple cider vinegar every 30 to 45 minutes after the 3-hour mark.

Wrap the pork in two layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil when the internal temperature reaches the high 160s and the fat is rendering properly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: