A Step By Step Guide To Oven Pulled Pork (Boston butt recipe)

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This step by step guide to fork tender oven pulled pork will take you from grocery store to the dinner table. Since this Boston Butt makes a large quantity, it’s a great weekend recipe for big groups. It makes the best pulled pork sandwiches.

This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 

2 Ingredient Pulled Pork Rub

This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever! The rub is made of only two ingredients – coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. No liquid smoke is required for this best ever pulled pork.

Pulled pork is a staple in almost every Midwestern home and it is always a hit! From wedding receptions, picnics to family reunions, shredded pork is the star of so many special occasions. However, it’s not just for celebrations but is also great to make on the weekend and eat throughout the week.

Boston Butt Recipe

I’m no novice when it comes to pulled pork. I’ve been making it different forms and preparation methods for years. Check out some of our favorite pulled pork recipes, all of which are easy to make.

This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 

What can I make with pulled pork besides sandwiches

Making pulled pork from a large pork butt or pork shoulder means A LOT of pulled pork, which is great if you are trying to feed a crowd. However, if you are just feeding your family, you probably have quite a bit left over. Of course, you can freeze it for later, but here are a few ways to use pulled pork besides sandwiches.

  • Pulled pork mashed potato bowls: Start with a layer of mashed potatoes, add corn (or green beans), pulled pork and top with gravy.
  • Pulled pork quesadillas: Heat up a flour tortilla on the stovetop, add cheese, barbecue sauce and pulled pork. Heat through and serve with sour cream.
  • Pulled pork nachos: Start with a layer of tortilla chips on a cookie sheet (we cover ours with foil for easy clean up), add a layer of cheese and pulled pork and heat in the oven until cheese is melted. Top it with your favorite nacho ingredients – jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole. You can also do pulled pork totchos – just cook your tater tots and then add your cheese and pulled pork.
  • Barbecue Pulled Pork Crescents: Use a roll of refrigerated crescent rolls and fill with cheese, pulled pork and barbecue sauce. Cook as directed on the package.
This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 

Oven Pulled Pork Recipe

Pulled Pork made in the oven is one of my favorite meals of all time, and this version is the best ever pulled pork, and the easiest pulled pork at that. You can get all sorts of crazy making a dry rub for pulled pork but our version has only 2 ingredients – coarse salt and black pepper.

This recipe originated from a good friend who caters. Her pulled pork is the bomb! She was kind enough to share her secret to the best ever pulled pork. See her notes below.

  • Score the fat cap deep – all the way through it to the meat. Make a diamond or square pattern, and be sure the fat cap is on top when cooking.
  • Use a deep, disposable aluminum pan. This makes clean up a cinch.
  • Make a rub with salt and pepper. You can make it spicier by changing the ratio, but I use a 2 part coarse salt to 1 part black pepper ratio.
  • To keep the steam from escaping, cover tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil. I prefer the heavy duty kind.
  • Be sure to cook until the internal temperature to 200 degrees F. Use a standard meat thermometer or a digital one which is the easiest. The probe stays in the meat and will alarm you when the targeted temperature is met.

What cut of pork do you use for pulled pork? 

A pork butt is the best because it has a large fat cap on top that renders out and leaves the pulled pork moist.  In all reality, a pork butt is actually a pork shoulder. Don’t be afraid to ask your butcher (the guys behind the meat counter) if you can’t find what you are looking for!

This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 

How do you make pulled pork in oven?

Step By Step Instructions

  1. Make a rub of kosher salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Score the fat on top of the pork in a diamond (or square) pattern; rub generously with salt and pepper blend. (If the meat is wet, pat dry with paper towels.)
  3. Put in a deep aluminum foil pan and cover with heavy duty aluminum foil (2 layers).
  4. Bake until the internal temperature reaches 200 degrees.
  5. Drain liquid, shred and enjoy. Serve on buns for pork sandwiches. Add BBQ sauce, if desired. This also tastes great as pork tacos.

Storage Instructions

Let leftover pulled pork cool to room temperature. Place in an airtight container or wrap bowl in plastic wrap. Keep in the fridge for up to a week.

To store in the freezer, place in airtight freezer bags in the deep freezer for up to 3 months.

For the full instructions for how to make pulled pork in the oven, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

  • The best cut of meat to make oven roasted pulled pork is a pork butt. In all reality, “pork butt” actually comes from the pork shoulder.
  • You can change up the rub in a million different ways, but we prefer a simple rub of salt and pepper.  You may need more or less than the measurements we list depending on the size of your pork butt.  A good rule of thumb is to use 2 parts salt and 1 part black pepper.
  • We prefer to use a coarse salt like kosher salt for the pulled pork rub.
  • Using a deep disposable aluminum pan is our preference, but you can use a roasting pan or baking dish.
  • Cover with 2 layers of aluminum foil; we prefer the heavy duty type.
  • The internal temp should read 200 degrees F when the barbecue pulled pork is ready; use a standard meat thermometer or a digital meat thermometer. Check out our Amazon Store for our favorite digital meat thermometer and other kitchen items.
  • If you love pulled pork, you’ll also love BBQ Shredded Beef using the Instant Pot.

Recipe Variations

  • Add onion powder or garlic powder for more flavor.
  • To add a kick of heat, add cayenne pepper, chili powder, paprika or ground cumin to the rub.
  • For a hint of sweetness, add a bit of brown sugar.
  • To make a saucy pulled pork, add store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce once it’s been shredded.
  • Shred with 2 forks, large prongs, by hand, or even in your Kitchen-Aid mixer with the paddle attachment.

What side dishes go with pulled pork?

How do you reheat pulled pork and keep it moist?

To reheat pulled pork and keep it moist, you can add a bit of liquid like apple juice or chicken broth to the pork when reheating to help keep it moist. Cover the dish with foil and reheat at a low temperature, around 250-300 degrees F, to prevent it from drying out. You can also reheat it in a slow cooker on low with a bit of liquid to keep it moist.

Other Pork Recipes

Having grown up on a farm where our dad raised pigs, we are partial to cooking with pork. Here are some of our favorite pork recipes:

How long does it take to cook a Boston butt?

An 8 pound pork butt takes approximately 5 to 6 hours in the oven at a temperature of 350 degrees F. The best way to make sure the Boston butt is done, is to use a meat thermometer. The pork is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 200 degrees F.

Oven Pulled Pork

This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients—coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 hours
Total Time5 hours 10 minutes
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Best Ever Pulled Pork, Oven Pulled Pork, Pulled Pork
Servings: 20 people
Calories: 247kcal
Author: Barbara

Ingredients

  • 8 pound pork butt (pork shoulder), with fat cap intact
  • 1/4 cup black pepper
  • 1/2 cup coarse salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • With a sharp knife, score the fat cap into a diamond pattern. Be sure to cut through the fat all the way to the meat.
    This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 
  • Mix together salt and pepper. Rub all sides generously with mixture.
    This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 
  • Put rubbed meat – fat cap side up – into a deep aluminum foil pan; cover tightly with 2 layers of aluminum foil.
    This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 
  • Bake until internal temperature reaches 200 degrees F, approximately 5 to 6 hours.
  • Uncover, pour off excess liquid, and shred meat with two forks or meat claws.
    This is the easiest Oven Pulled Pork recipe ever!  The rub is made of only two ingredients---coarse salt and black pepper, and the outcome is a moist, fall off the bone pulled pork that can be eaten alone, or topped with barbecue sauce. 

Notes

  • The best cut of meat to make oven roasted pulled pork is a pork butt.  In all reality, “pork butt” actually comes from the pork shoulder.
  • You can change up the rub in a million different ways, but we prefer a simple rub of salt and pepper.  You may need more or less than the measurements we list depending on the size of your pork butt.  A good rule of thumb is to use 2 parts salt and 1 part black pepper.
  • We prefer to use a coarse salt like kosher salt for the pulled pork rub.
  • Using a deep disposable aluminum pan is our preference, but you can use a roasting pan or baking dish.
  • Cover with 2 layers of aluminum foil; we prefer the heavy duty type.
  • The internal temperature should read 200 degrees when the barbecue pulled pork is ready; use a standard meat thermometer or a digital meat thermometer.
  • If you love pulled pork, you’ll also love BBQ Shredded Beef using the Instant Pot.
  • The carb counts, calorie counts and nutritional information can vary depending on the products used. The information below is auto-calculated and should NOT be used for specific dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 2948mg | Potassium: 654mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 2mg

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