How Long to Cook Pulled Pork to Perfection

Pulled pork is a classic BBQ dish that is beloved for its tenderness and rich flavor. When moist tender pork is pulled into shreds and doused in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce it’s pure comfort food bliss. But achieving fall-off-the-bone tender pulled pork requires patience – this is not a quick weeknight meal. Pulled pork needs sufficient time for the tough collagen in the pork shoulder to break down and yield succulent, pull-apart meat. So how long does it take to cook pulled pork to juicy, tender perfection?

Choosing the Right Cut of Pork

The most important factor in getting perfectly cooked pulled pork is choosing the right cut of pork to start with. Pork shoulder, also called pork butt or Boston butt, is the ideal cut to use. It contains plenty of fat and connective tissue that melts into succulent pulled pork during the long, slow cooking process.

Pork shoulder is sold bone-in or boneless Either option will work great, though bone-in may take a little longer to cook Look for a pork shoulder in the 4 to 8 pound range for easier cooking and shredding. Much larger cuts are unwieldy for home cooking.

Always start with high quality, fresh pork that hasn’t been previously frozen. This will ensure the best flavor and texture after hours of cooking

Low and Slow Cooking

Pulled pork is all about cooking “low and slow.” This method gently breaks down the pork shoulder’s fat and collagen over many hours, resulting in supremely moist, fall-apart shredded meat.

The ideal temperature for cooking pulled pork is 225 to 275°F. This low, steady heat tenderizes the pork perfectly without drying it out.

You can cook pulled pork low and slow using any of these methods:

• Smoker: The classic way to make tender, smoky pulled pork. Cook at 225-250°F.

• Oven: Roast in a Dutch oven or roasting pan at 275°F.

• Slow cooker: Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

• Instant pot: Pressure cook on high for 60-90 minutes then natural release.

No matter which cooking method you use, the keys are maintaining a steady low temperature and allowing plenty of time for the pork to become succulent and shreddable.

Cook Times for Pulled Pork

So exactly how long should you smoke or cook pulled pork? There’s no one-size-fits-all time, as the size of the pork shoulder can vary. But here are some general timelines:

• 4 pound pork shoulder:

  • Smoker or oven at 250°F: About 8 hours
  • Slow cooker on low: 8 hours
  • Instant pot high pressure: 60-70 minutes

• 6 pound pork shoulder:

  • Smoker or oven at 250°F: About 12 hours
  • Slow cooker on low: 10 hours
  • Instant pot high pressure: 75-90 minutes

• 8 pound pork shoulder:

  • Smoker or oven at 250°F: About 16 hours
  • Slow cooker on low: 12 hours
  • Instant pot high pressure: 90 minutes

The general rule of thumb is 1.5 to 2 hours per pound for smoking or oven roasting at 225-250°F. For slow cookers and instant pots, it’s about 1 to 1.5 hours per pound.

Always use an instant read meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of relying solely on cook times. Pulled pork is perfect around 205°F when the meat shreds easily with a fork.

Pitfalls to Avoid

To avoid dry, stringy pulled pork, steer clear of these all-too-common mistakes:

• Cooking at too high of temperature. Stick to 225-275°F for best results.

• Not allowing sufficient cook time for the pork’s collagen to break down. Be patient!

• Neglecting to let the cooked pork rest before shredding. Rest for 20-30 minutes.

• Shredding while pork is too hot. Wait until it cools enough to handle comfortably.

• Omitting pan juices when shredding. These juices keep the pork moist.

• Over-shredding into tiny bits. Shred into larger slivers and chunks instead.

Tips for Moist, Tender Pulled Pork

Follow these tips for guaranteed moist, fall-apart tender pulled pork every time:

• Choose Boston butt or pork shoulder. This is the right cut for pulled pork.

• Trim excess fat. Leave about 1/4 inch of the fat cap.

• Apply a dry rub. Coat all sides with a flavorful dry rub 12-24 hours before cooking.

• Preheat smoker or oven low and slow. Heat to 225-275°F before adding pork.

• Use a meat thermometer. Cook until internal temp reaches 200-205°F.

• Spritz with apple juice or broth. Mist pork with juice every 60-90 minutes while cooking.

• Let pork rest before shredding. Allow to rest 20-30 minutes before shredding.

• Shred pork by hand. Use two forks or meat claws to hand pull pork.

• Moisten with pan juices. Toss shredded pork with collected pan juices.

• Flavor with BBQ sauce. Mix in your favorite barbecue sauce.

Signs Your Pulled Pork is Done

How can you tell when your lovingly smoked or cooked pulled pork is ready to be shredded and served? Look for these signs:

• An internal temperature of 200-205°F

• Meat has visibly shrunk back from the bones (if using bone-in shoulder)

• Pork shoulder feels very tender when poked with a fork

• Meat easily pulls apart into shreds when poked

• Juices from pork run clear (not pink)

Allow the pork to rest for about 20-30 minutes once it reaches the ideal internal temp and tests done by the methods above. This makes the meat even more luscious.

Serving Up Succulent Pulled Pork

Once your pork has reached perfection after its low and slow cook, it’s time to savor the fruits of your patience and labor. Here are tips for serving spectacular pulled pork:

• Hand pull the pork into long, thick shreds rather than chopping it.

• Moisten with pan juices and BBQ sauce. The juices keep pork moist while sauce adds flavor.

• Toss with coleslaw. The creamy crunch pairs perfectly with tender pork.

• Pile pork high on buns. Soft, buttery brioche or potato buns are ideal.

• Garnish with pickles. Cut pickle chips or spears pair nicely.

• Serve any extras heated. Refrigerate leftover pork up to 4 days or freeze up to 4 months.

Smoked or slow cooked pulled pork is truly worth the time invested. When cooked patiently at low temp until fork tender and infused with flavorful smoke, the payoff is magnificent. Just be sure to allow sufficient cook time for your size of pork shoulder. With too little time, you’ll end up with disappointing meat that never achieves the fall-apart tenderness that great pulled pork is revered for. But invest ample time in cooking your pork properly and you’ll be rewarded with the ultimate comfort food – succulent, smokey shredded pork that melts in your mouth. So relax, grab a beer, stoke up that smoker or slow cooker, and let time work its magic on the pork!