When cooking pork butt, it is important to know how long it will take for a particular piece of meat to cook. This is due to the fact that the amount of time needed to prepare a piece of meat varies with its size and thickness.
The ideal temperature for cooking pork butt is 225 degrees Fahrenheit, which will help avoid dryness and overcooking.
At this heat and time, a pork butt will be done in around 8-10 hours, but the internal temperature should be checked often so that it cooks evenly.
What Is The Optimal Temperature To Smoke Pork Butt?
Smoking a pork butt at 225 degrees Fahrenheit is the best way to ensure that the meat is cooked evenly and its fat and collagen have been minimized.
It’s crucial to keep the smoker at a steady temperature while smoking a pig butt. A good meat thermometer and constant checking of the smoker’s temperature will allow you to do this.
After the pork butt reaches an internal temperature of 160F, cover it in foil or butcher paper to keep it moist.
How Long To Smoke A Pork Butt
Here’s a chart that shows you how long to smoke a pork butt, depending on the weight of your meat.
At 225ºF
| Weight | Smoking Time |
|---|---|
| 1lb | 1 Hour and 45 Minutes |
| 2lb | 3 Hours and 30 Minutes |
| 3lb | 5 Hours and 10 Minutes |
| 4lb | 6 Hours and 45 Minutes |
| 5lb | 8 Hours and 30 Minutes |
At 250ºF
| Weight | Smoking Time |
|---|---|
| 1lb | 1 – 2 Hours |
| 2lb | 2 – 3 Hours |
| 3lb | 3 – 4 Hours |
| 4lb | 4 – 5 Hours |
| 5lb | 5 – 6 Hours |
How to Smoke Pork Butt
Smoking a pork butt is a delicious way to prepare this cut of meat. If you’re looking for a simple, hands-off method that delivers tender, juicy results, then this guide is for you!
Here are our tips for how to smoke pork butt:
- Plan on an hour of smoking per pound at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Put the bone at the bottom of the pork butt, so it will make rendered fat that keeps the meat juicy.
- Leave it alone after you start cooking, and let the heat do its thing! I don’t like to turn over my meat while it’s cooking because I want those nice crispy edges to form.
- Make a quick mop with apple cider vinegar and oil while your meat is smoking—mop once every 45 minutes until it’s done (approximately one hour per pound). It prevents drying out and makes it soft!
- After 7 hours of smoking, remove your meat from the smoker and cover in foil before returning it to the grill for another hour—this method will help cook more thoroughly!
Conclusion
How long does it take to smoke a pork butt? The answer to this question depends on the size of your pork butt. For example, if you want to slow cook 5 pork butt (also known as Boston butt, picnic, pork shoulder, etc.), it will take around 14 hours at 225 degrees Fahrenheit (107 degrees Celsius). However, if you’re cooking a smaller pig butt that weighs about 8 pounds, it might take as little as 10 hours to smoke-cook it.
