For many people, the thought of smoking a pork butt may seem daunting. However, with a little know-how and the right tools, smoking a pork butt can be easy and fun!
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to make Masterbuilt smoker pork butt, from choosing the right size to cooking it to perfection.
You can also check our articles on Soaking Wood Chips for Electric Smokers – Required or Not, Electric Smoker Wood Chips: All You Need to Know, How to Make Masterbuilt Smoked Turkey, How to Make Smoked Chicken Quarters.
What is a Pork Butt?
A pork butt is a cut of meat that comes from the upper part of a pig’s shoulder. The shoulder is a relatively tough piece of meat, which makes it ideal for smoking. Pork butt is also referred to as Boston butt or simply “butt”.
When choosing a pork butt for smoking, look for one that is well-marbled with fat. The fat will help keep the meat moist during the cooking process. When smoked properly, a pork butt can be incredibly tender and juicy.
Choosing the Best Size Pork Butt for a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
When smoking a pork butt, you want to make sure that it fits snugly in your smoker. If the pork butt is too large, it will not cook evenly. On the other hand, if it’s too small, there won’t be enough meat to feed your entire family or group of friends.
A good rule of thumb is to choose a pork butt that is about the same size as your smoker. For example, if you have a 30-inch Masterbuilt electric smoker, a 5-pound pork butt should be just the right size.
If you can’t find a pork butt that is the exact size of your smoker, don’t worry. You can always cut it down to size or cook two smaller pork butts. Just keep in mind that it’s better to err on the side of caution when smoking pork butt. It’s better to have too much meat than not enough!
Smoking Your Pork Butt
Now that you’ve selected the perfect pork butt, it’s time to get started on the smoking process. Here are the step-by-step instructions for smoking a pork butt in a Masterbuilt electric smoker.
Step 1: Prepping your Meat
Before you start smoking your pork butt, you need to prep it.
Trimming the Fat
Start by trimming any excess fat off of the pork butt. You don’t need to remove all of the fat, but you should try to remove as much as possible. The fat will render during the cooking process and can make the pork butt greasy.
Next, use a sharp knife to score the fat on the surface of the pork butt. This will help the fat render more evenly.
Rubs
Once you’ve trimmed the fat, it’s time to apply a rub. A pork butt rub is a mixture of spices that is rubbed onto the surface of the meat. There are many different types of rubs available, or you can even make your own. The important thing is to choose a rub that you enjoy.
When applying the rub, be sure to cover the entire surface of the pork butt. You can use your hands or a brush to help rub the spices into the meat.
Marinade Injections
In addition to rubs, you can also inject a marinade into your pork butt. This is optional, but it can help to add even more flavor to the meat. There are many different types of marinades available, so choose one that you like.
When injecting a marinade, be sure to use a needle that is small enough to fit into the pork butt. Otherwise, you run the risk of puncturing the meat.
Step 2: Preparing the Smoker
Now that your pork butt is prepped and ready to go, it’s time to get your smoker ready.
Start by setting the temperature on your smoker. For a pork butt, you’ll want to set it between 225 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Next, add wood chips to the smoker. This will help to flavor the meat as it cooks.
Once the wood chips have been added, it’s time to put the pork butt in the smoker.
How much Wood Chips to Put?
You can use any type of wood chips when smoking pork butt.
As for how much wood chips to use, it depends on the size of your smoker and the type of wood chips you’re using. A general rule of thumb is to use 1 cup of wood chips for every 30 minutes of smoking time.
Adding Water to the Smoker
Adding water to the smoker is optional, but it can help to keep the meat moist as it cooks. If you decide to add water, use 1 cup for every hour of smoking time.
Step 3: Smoking the Pork Butt
Once the pork butt is in the smoker, it’s time to let the cooking process begin. The length of time that you need to smoke the pork butt will depend on its size.
As a general rule of thumb, you should smoke the pork butt for 11/2 to 2 hours per pound. So, if you’re smoking a 5-pound pork butt, it should be in the smoker for 8 to 10 hours.
During the smoking process, you’ll need to check on the pork butt periodically. This is to ensure that the meat is cooking evenly and that there are enough wood chips and water in the smoker.
To check on the pork butt, open the door to the smoker and use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the pork. The ideal temperature for a smoked pork butt is 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the internal temperature of the pork butt is lower than 190 degrees Fahrenheit, close the door of the smoker and let it continue cooking.
Once the pork butt has reached an internal temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to remove it from the smoker.
Refilling the Wood Chips
Check the wood chips to make sure they haven’t burned up. If they have, add more to the smoker.
Adding Water to the Smoker
Check the water to make sure it hasn’t evaporated. If it has, add more to the smoker.
Step 4: Wrapping and Resting
Once the pork butt has reached the correct temperature, it’s time to wrap it in foil. This will help to keep the meat moist as it rests.
To wrap the pork butt, place it on a sheet of foil and then wrap it tightly. Be sure to seal the edges of the foil so that no air can escape.
After the pork butt is wrapped, place it in a cooler and let it rest for at least 1 hour. This will allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it even more tender and flavorful.
Is it Important to Wrap the Pork Butt in Foil?
Yes, it’s important to wrap the pork butt in foil because it will help to keep the meat moist as it rests. If you don’t wrap the pork butt in foil, the juices will evaporate, and the meat will be dry.
Step 5: How to Shred the Pork
After the pork butt has rested, it’s time to shred it. To do this, remove the foil and place the pork butt on a cutting board.
Then, use a fork or your hands to shred the meat. Once it’s shredded, it’s ready to be served.
How to Serve Pork Butt?
There are many ways to serve pork butt once it’s cooked to perfection. Here are three of our favorites.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
One of the most popular ways to enjoy smoked pork butt is in a pulled pork sandwich. The key to making the perfect pulled pork sandwich is to make sure the pork is shredded into bite-sized pieces before adding your favorite BBQ sauce.
To really take things up a notch, try serving the sandwiches on a bed of crispy coleslaw. Yum!
Smoked Pork Butt Tacos
Another fantastic way to use smoked pork butt is in tacos! Simply shred the meat and add it to soft tortillas along with your favorite toppings.
We love pairing smoked pork with fresh salsa, diced avocado, and shredded cheese, but feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavor combinations.
Smoked Pork Butt Salad
For a healthier option that’s still packed with flavor, try using smoked pork butt in a salad. Just shred the meat and add it to your favorite greens, along with some diced fruit, nuts, and crumbled cheese. We think this dish would be especially delicious with a tangy vinaigrette dressing.
What to do with Leftovers?
If you have any smoked pork butt leftovers, don’t worry! There are plenty of delicious ways to use them.
One option is to make pulled pork nachos. Simply layer shredded smoked pork, tortilla chips, and your favorite nacho toppings in a baking dish and bake until hot and bubbly.
Another great way to use leftovers is in a hearty soup or stew. Just add the shredded pork to your favorite recipe and enjoy.
Finally, you can also freeze the leftovers for future use. Simply place the shredded pork in a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating Pork Butt
If you have a leftover pork butt that you need to reheat, the best way to do it is in the oven.
The first thing you need to do is slice the pork butt into thin slices. This will help the heat to penetrate the meat more evenly.
Then, Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the pork slices on a foil-lined baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the pork is heated through.
If you want to add some extra flavor, try placing the pork slices in a shallow dish and covering them with your favorite BBQ sauce. Then bake as directed above. The sauce will add some moisture and flavor to the meat, making it even more delicious!
What Wood Chips Pair Well?
There are a lot of different flavors of wood chips that you can use when smoking a pork butt. The best wood chips for smoking pork butt are hickory, maple, and apple. Here’s a brief overview of each one.
Hickory
Hickory is the strongest of the three woods, so it’s best to use it sparingly. A little hickory goes a long way, so we would recommend using no more than 1/2 cup of hickory chips for a 5-pound pork butt at a time. Hickory has a strong, smoky flavor that can be overwhelming if used in too large of quantities.
Maple
Maple is a milder wood, so you can use a little bit more of it than hickory. We would recommend using 1 cup of maple chips for a 5-pound pork butt at a time. Maple imparts a sweet, subtly smoky flavor to the meat that pairs well with the rich flavor of pork butt.
Apple
Apple is the mildest of the three woods, so you can use the most of it. For every 5-pound pork butt, use 1 and 1/2 cups of apple chips at a time. Apple gives the meat a milder smoke flavor with just a hint of sweetness.
When smoking a pork butt, we recommend using a combination of hickory and apple chips. This will give the pork a nice balance of smoky and sweet flavors. If you want a little more sweetness, you can add some maple chips to the mix as well. Just experiment until you find the perfect flavor combination for you!
Conclusion
Whether you’re feeding a large group or looking for an impressive main course for your next dinner party, smoked pork butt is always a winner! With its versatility and delicious flavor, it’s no wonder this dish has become a crowd-favorite among BBQ lovers everywhere.
Now that you know how to make Masterbuilt smoker pork butt, we hope you’ll give it a try the next time you fire up the grill.
Don’t forget to try one of our three favorite ways to serve smoked pork butt and see for yourself just how amazing it is! Your taste buds will thank you.