How Long to Cook Boston Butt at 225

Cooking a Boston Butt roast to perfection requires precision and patience.

If you’re wondering how long to cook it at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, the answer is approximately 2 hours per pound. So if you have a 6-pound Boston Butt, it will take around 12 hours to cook at 225 degrees Fahrenheit until it reaches an internal temperature of 195°F -200°F.

Read on for helpful tips on how to achieve the perfect texture and flavor for your Boston Butt roast.

Preparing the Boston Butt

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of cooking time and smoker temperature, let’s talk about how to prepare your Boston butt for smoking.

The first step is selecting the right cut of meat. You want a piece that weighs between 6-8 pounds with good marbling – this will ensure juicy and flavorful barbecue pork.

Next, rinse off any excess liquids or bone fragments from your cut of meat before patting it dry with paper towels.

Now it’s time for seasoning! You can dry rub or marinade your meat – both methods work well when smoking meat low and slow. A classic dry rub consists of salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and cumin. Rub it generously all over your Boston Butt like a massage oil – this will help develop bark/crust on the outside as well as add flavor throughout.

Preheating Your Oven

Once seasoned, place your Boston butt on a large enough sheet tray or roasting pan then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, but preferably overnight. This will allow the seasoning to penetrate the meat and enhance its flavor.

When you’re ready to start cooking, preheat your oven to 225°F. Some people prefer using a smoker rather than an oven, which is fine as long as it maintains a temperature of 225°F throughout the cooking process.

Cooking Time for a Smaller Cut of Meat

For small cuts of meat that weigh between 4-6 pounds, plan on smoking at 225°F for around 8-10 hours. This low and slow method allows the connective tissue to break down gradually, resulting in ultra-tender pulled pork.

Remember that this is just an estimate – your Boston butt may take more or less time depending on factors such as your smoker temperature or humidity. Always use an internal thermometer to determine when your meat is done – this will ensure that it’s cooked thoroughly and safe to eat.

Cooking Time for a Larger Cut of Meat

For larger cuts weighing around 8-10 pounds, plan on smoking them for upwards of 12 hours at the same temperature range. The bigger the piece of meat, the longer it takes to cook – so be patient!

Again, use an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork roast. Once it reaches an internal temperature between 195-205°F (we’ll get more into this later), you can take it out from heat and let rest before carving.

Checking Temperature with a Thermometer

The most accurate way to check if your Boston butt is done is by checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer at regular intervals throughout its smoking time.

When using a digital thermometer probe (like ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Remote Digital Meat Thermometer), insert it into the thickest part of the pork roast while avoiding any bone areas. A stable reading means that there are no cold pockets within your cut’s thick meat.

The internal temperature you should aim for when smoking Boston butt is between 195 and 205°F. At this range, the connective tissue in the meat will have fully broken down, making it tender and come apart easily. Remember to let your Boston Butt rest for at least 30 minutes before carving to allow its juices to redistribute and preserve their flavor.

Finishing Touches and Resting the Meat

Once your Boston butt has reached your desired internal temperature, it’s time to take it off heat. However, you’re not quite done yet!

Cover the pork roast with foil or parchment paper then a towel or two layers of paper towels to keep out any air breeze from drying out the meat while resting. Letting it rest for around 30-45 minutes up to an hour is crucial – this helps preserve the juiciness of your pork before you start pulling or slicing.

Additionally, if you want a crispy texture on its outer layer (aka bark), crank up your oven’s broiler settings at 400°F for only a couple of minutes just before serving.

Serving and Enjoying Your Delicious Boston Butt

After allowing some time for resting, wipe off any excess moisture from its surface with a paper towel then get ready for some delicious pulled pork! You can use two forks or meat claws to pull apart the now super tender meat into bite-sized pieces; alternatively use a sharp knife and slice along the grain according to how thick or thin you want them.

You can enjoy barbecue pork with tortillas, buns or as it is as a main dish plus accompanying sides such as coleslaw salad, mac ‘n cheese pie, baked beans… okay now we’re hungry!

Conclusion

So there you have it – everything you need to know about cooking Boston butt at 225°F. Remember that slow cooking is key when smoking any kind of pork roast – be patient and let its juices and flavors develop over time.

Using an internal meat thermometer will ensure that your Boston butt is safe, tender, delicious and succulent. Once rested, don’t forget to add some finishing touches like serving with coleslaw salad or other side dishes.

So get ready to master the art of slow cooking and smoking meat – your taste buds (and friends/family) will thank you!