Pork butt is the perfect candidate for smoking. Knowing how long to smoke pork butt at 250°F is the secret to moist and juicy meat. Smoke pork butt at 250°F for 8-12 hours.
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Bone-in vs. Boneless Pork Butt
Before we talk about how long to smoke pork butt, we must discuss whether to smoke bone-in or boneless pork butt.
Both bone-in and boneless pork butt are perfect for smoking. However, bone-in pork butt has the advantage.
Bone-in pork butt will hold its shape better. The butcher cuts into the meat to remove the bone. So boneless pork butt does not hold its shape like its bone-in counterparts.
While the bone will not add any flavor, it helps the pork butt cook more evenly. If you are worried that the bone is hard to remove, it will slide out easily when you pull it.
On the other hand, boneless pork butt does have some advantages. You will not have to remove the bone once it is cooked. Furthermore, it will cook it faster since it does not have bones.
How Do You Pick a Good Pork Butt
Picking the perfect pork butt is one of the most important parts of smoking pork. If you choose low-quality pork butt, you will end up with low-quality smoked pork butt.
In contrast, you will have delicious meat if you use a high-quality pork butt.
Choose pork butt that has a fair amount of marbling. The pork butt should have a layer of fat that is firm and white.
If the fat cap is soft and yellow, do not buy it. The meat should have a reddish-pink color and a coarse grain.
Do not purchase pork butt that is labeled as enhanced. Enhanced pork butt is injected with a water-based solution that alters the meat’s texture and gives it a salty flavor.
You can view the ingredients in the solution by looking at the ingredient list. However, you should never buy enhanced pork.
You should purchase pork butt from your local butcher. You will get a better-quality cut of pork.
You will also be able to get a smaller pork butt. The average pork butt can weigh 8 pounds or more. However, if you buy it from your local butcher shop, the butcher can give you a smaller cut of meat.
Is 250 Too High for Pork Butt?
Some people believe 250°F is too high to smoke pork butt. They believe that 225°F is the best temperature for smoking pork butt.
However, 250°F is perfectly acceptable. Since the temperature is higher, it will cook faster. More importantly, the pork butt will not dry out as long as you remove it from the smoker once it has a temperature between 195°F and 203°F.
Tips for Smoking Pork Butt
Place the pork butt onto wire racks. The racks will make transporting the pork butt in and out of the smoker easier.
You won’t have to struggle to remove the pork butt from the smoker or worry about it falling apart when placing it into a foil pan.
Ensure you spray the wire rack with non-stick cooking spray or a neutral-flavored oil to prevent the pork butt from sticking to the rack.
Use gloves when handling the pork butt. It will limit cross-contamination and prevent you from getting sick.
Use a smoker thermometer to keep track of the pork butt’s internal temperature. You can insert the temperature into the thickest part of the pork butt before you place it into the smoker.
Let the pork butt cook for 2 hours before you check its temperature.
The bark should start to form at this point. If there are any dry spots, spray the area with apple juice.
You can also use apple cider vinegar. However, apple juice helps caramelize the pork butt’s exterior better.
Remove the pork butt from the smoker when it has a temperature of 160°F. Wrap it in foil or butcher paper. Next, smoke the pork butt until it has a temperature of 195°F-203°F.
What’s the Best Wood for Smoking Pork Butt?
You cannot smoke pork butt with any wood. Some woods will overpower the flavor of the meat.
Always pair pork butt with fruitwood. Fruitwood adds a subtle, subtle sweet flavor that will not overpower the pork’s flavor.
Alder, cherry, peach, apple, and maple wood pair perfectly with pork butt. However, hickory and pecan wood also work well with pork butt.
You can also use mesquite wood. However, mesquite is one of the most concentrated woods. So only use it if you want your pork butt to have a bold flavor.
You can also mix mesquite with another wood to soften its concentrated flavor.
How Long to Smoke Pork Butt at 250
Pork butt’s cooking time depends on the density of the meat. It also depends on the smoker you use to cook the meat.
Generally speaking, it takes 1-1 1/2 hours to cook pork butt at 250℉.
How Long to Smoke a 5 Pound Pork Butt at 250
It takes about 5-7 1/2 hours to cook pork butt at 250℉. However, check the pork butt after 5 hours.
Sometimes it only takes 5 hours to cook. Other times it will take the full 7 1/2 hours to cook. So, make sure you monitor the pork’s internal temperature.
How Long to Smoke a 7 Pound Pork Butt at 250
It takes 60-90 minutes to cook pork butt at 250℉. Therefore, a 7-pound pork butt will take 7-10 1/2 hours to cook. Check the pork’s internal temperature after 7 hours to ensure it does not overcook.
How Long to Smoke a 8 Pound Pork Butt at 250
An 8-pound pork butt takes about 8-12 hours. Check the meat’s internal temperature after 8 hours.
The pork butt may be cooked in 8 hours. But it may also take 12 hours, depending on the size of the meat.
How Long to Smoke a 10 Pound Pork Butt at 250
Since 10 pounds of pork butt is a large amount of meat, it takes longer to cook. It takes 10-15 hours to cook a 10-pound pork butt. So, you may want to start early so the pork butt is finished by dinner time.
Final Thoughts
Pork butt is the ultimate meat to smoke. Since it’s smoked at 250℉, you can dig into your delicious creation in 8-12 hours.
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.