Today I am sharing How to Cook a Pork Boston Butt in the oven. This is the perfect way to slow roast a pork butt and create tender, juicy shredded pork for pulled pork sandwiches, salads and rice bowls. We love making pork this way and it works so well with almost no work!
HOW TO COOK A PORK BOSTON BUTT
You guys might remember some of my posts about pork in partnership with the Ohio Pork Council that I have shared in the past.
Some popular ones were How to Make Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker, Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder Roast, How to Bake Pork Chops in the Oven and How to Cook Pork Loin in the Slow Cooker.
Today I am sharing How to Cook a Pork Boston Butt and I think it might be my favorite way to make pork. I love how tender, juicy and flavorful the pork gets from slow roasting in the oven.
A Boston Butt has more marbling and fat than some of the other cuts of pork which really helps with the flavor.
In this recipe there are three easy steps involved making it a great option for meal-prep.
You start by trimming the fat off of the pork and rubbing the spices mixture on the pork, next you roast the pork in the oven for about 4 to 5 hours.
Lastly, you use two fork to shred the pork for things like pulled pork sandwiches and rice bowls.
This is a great recipe for game-day, big group gatherings or meal-prep for your weekly meals.
It is also a healthy option to add to your menu. Eating 20 – 30 grams of protein per meal helps fuel your body and may help you feel fuller.
That being said, every 3 ounces of pork is packed full of 22 – 24 grams of protein depending on the cut. A great option for family meals!
INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO COOK A PORK BUTT
PORK BUTT {BOSTON BUTT}
SALT
PEPPER
GARLIC POWDER
PAPRIKA
ITALIAN SEASONING
BROWN SUGAR
BBQ SAUGE & BUNS {OPTIONAL}
HOW TO COOK A PORK BOSTON BUTT
TRIM THE PORK: Cut the fat off of the pork.
COMBINE THE SPICES FOR THE RUB: In a small bowl combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning and brown sugar.
Rub the spice mixture all over the pork on both sides.
BROWN THE PORK: In a cast iron skillet or large skillet sear both sides of the pork over medium-hight heat for two minutes per side.
Cover the pork with aluminum foil.
Transfer the cast iron skillet or oven safe skillet to the oven.
ROAST THE PORK: Roast the pork for 3 1/2 hours, remove the foil and roast for another hour or until the pork is tender and falling apart or the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
Remove the pork from the oven and let cool. Use two forks to shred the pork and serve with BBQ on buns or on its own with your favorite sides.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN PORK BUTT AND PORK SHOULDER?
Pork butt and pork shoulder both are cuts that come from the pig’s shoulder.
Pork shoulder, which can also be labeled as picnic shoulder, comes from the thinner, triangle-shaped end of the pig’s shoulder, just above the front leg. It has less marbling and fat than pork butt. Pork shoulder is often sold with the skin on and a layer of fat.
Pork Butt or Boston Butt is made up of parts of the parts of the shoulder blade, neck and upper leg of the pig.
It is an inexpensive cut of pork which makes it a great meal-prep option for a family.
Pork butt is a semi-tough cut of pork with a lot of connective tissue and fat marbling which is why it needs to cook in the oven for longer to help it become tender and soft. It really works great in pulled pork recipes, carnitas and stews.
It is a great cut when making bbq pulled pork but is also nice for stewing and braising which helps to tenderize the meat.
HOW TO STORE PORK BUTT
Once the pork is cooked you can store it in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
You can reheat the pork by microwaving it or slowly heating it in the oven.
If you want to freeze the pork make sure it cools completely and you can store it for up to 3 months in a sealed container.
OTHER PORK RECIPES YOU MNIGHT LIKE:
AIR FRYER BONELESS PORK CHOPS
EASY PINEAPPLE PORK CHOPS
PARMESAN CRUSTED PORK CHOPS
AIR FRYER PORK TAQUITOS
BBQ BAKED PORK CHOPS
EASY PORK CHILI
Head over to the Ohio Pork Council website for more delicious pork recipes!
How to Cook a Pork Boston Butt
Today I am sharing How to Cook a Pork Boston Butt in the oven. This is the perfect way to slow roast a pork butt and create tender, juicy shredded pork for pulled pork sandwiches, salads and rice bowls. We love making pork this way and it works so well with almost no work!
Ingredients
- 1 - 4 or 5 pound boneless pork butt {Boston butt}
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 tsps. brown sugar
- Barbecue sauce, optional for serving
- Buns, optional for serving
Instructions
- Prehat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Cut the fat off of the pork.
- In a small bowl combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning and brown sugar.
- Rub the spice mixture all over the pork on both sides.
- In a cast iron skillet or large skillet sear both sides of the pork over medium-hight heat for two minutes per side.
- Cover the pork with aluminum foil.
- Transfer the cast iron skillet or oven safe skillet to the oven.
- Roast the pork for 3 1/2 hours, remove the foil and roast for another hour or until the pork is tender and falling apart or the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove the pork from the oven and let cool. Use two forks to shred the pork and serve with BBQ on buns or on its own with your favorite sides.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
I made this today and all I can say it this is an easy delishous way to cook pork butt. I “tweeked” it a bit by adding ground mustard and smoky paprika and it turned out great. This will be my go-to recipe for pulled pork sandwiches. Thank you.
I am glad you liked it. The spice swaps sound great!
could I also do this with a crock pot?
Yes just cook on low for 7 to 9 hours.