4.8 from 603 votes
How to Cook a Pork Boston Butt
Learn how to cook a pork Boston Butt (or pork shoulder) in the oven for a flavorful, juicy pulled pork that can be served in countless ways.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Servings: 20
Calories: 251 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 7-8 pounds Boston Butt or pork shoulder
For the pulled pork rub:
- 1/2 cup smoked paprika
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons chipotle chili pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
- Mix all of the spices together in a bowl. Rub the spice mix on all sides of the pork butt. This recipe makes about 2 cups of spice rub. I use about ⅓ cup for a 10 pound roast. 1/2 cup smoked paprika, 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup salt, 1/4 cup garlic powder, 2 tablespoons black pepper, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons chipotle chili pepper, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon dry mustard, 7-8 pounds Boston Butt
- Place the pork butt fat side up in a roasting pan with a rack.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 450ºF. Then, without opening the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 250ºF. Bake for 7-8 hours or until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 195-200ºF.
- Take the pork out of the oven, cover it with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 15 minutes.
- Then use meat forks to shred the meat.
- Save some of the juices from the pork to store the leftovers in. It helps keep the pork juicy.
- Store any leftover pork in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze any leftovers for up to 6 weeks.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You may not use all of the seasoning mix. Store it in an airtight container for another time!
- Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
- The calories shown are based on the pork shoulder serving 20, with 1 serving being 1/20 of the pork. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box are calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.**
Nutrition Information
Calories
251kcal
(13%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.1g
Cholesterol
95mg
(32%)
Sodium
1554mg
(65%)
Potassium
686mg
(20%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
1695IU
(34%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
47mg
(5%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 251
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 251kcal | 13% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 1554mg | 65% |
| Potassium | 686mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1695IU | 34% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.