How Long Does It Take to Cook an 8 Pound Pork Butt? A Detailed Guide to Low and Slow Pork Perfection

Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or Boston shoulder, is a versatile and flavorful cut of pork that comes from the upper shoulder of the pig With its generous marbling of fat and collagen-rich connective tissue, pork butt transforms into succulent, fall-apart tender meat when cooked low and slow. But exactly how long does it take to cook an 8 pound pork butt to perfection? In this detailed guide, we’ll provide timing guidelines, cooking tips, and serving ideas to help you make the most of this crowd-pleasing cut of meat

Overview of an 8 Pound Pork Butt

An 8 pound pork butt is a substantial piece of meat, usually between 7 to 9 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter It contains a significant amount of intramuscular fat and connective tissue that must be rendered and broken down through prolonged cooking times to reach peak tenderness. The ample fat content also means you can expect a good amount of shrinkage, with a 25-30% loss not being uncommon after the fat renders out For an 8 pound raw pork butt, expect around 5 to 6 pounds of cooked, pulled or shredded meat.

How Long to Cook an 8 Pound Pork Butt

The general timing guideline for roasting or smoking an 8 pound pork butt is approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours per pound. This means a total cook time of 12 to 16 hours can be expected. Here is a more detailed breakdown:

225°F smoking or roasting temperature: About 2 hours per pound, so around 16 hours for an 8 pound pork butt.
250°F smoking or roasting temperature: Around 1 1/2 hours per pound, equating to 12 hours total cook time.
275°F and above smoking or roasting: Around 1 to 1 1/4 hours per pound. An 8 pound pork butt will be done in 10 hours at 275°F.

Keep in mind these timelines are simply estimates, as every piece of meat cooks differently. The most reliable way to test doneness is by using an instant-read thermometer to check internal temperature rather than relying on time alone.

Target Internal Temperature for Pork Butt

The ideal finishing temperature for pulled or shredded pork butt is 195°F to 205°F. At this internal temperature range, the pork will be fall-apart tender as the collagen melts into gelatin and the fat renders. The meat should pull or shred easily. If your pork butt seems to stall and stop climbing in temperature around 160°F to 170°F, don’t worry. This is normal and to be expected as the collagen breaks down. Simply continue cooking until it reaches the 195°F to 205°F target temperature for perfect doneness.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Smoking or Roasting an 8 Pound Pork Butt

Ingredients:

1 (7 to 9 pound) boneless pork butt
Dry rub: A simple blend of brown sugar, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper works well. Get creative with spices!
Wood chips or chunks for smoking (optional)
BBQ sauce or other finishing sauce (optional)

Directions:

Trim excess fat from the pork butt, leaving about 1/4 inch. Pat dry.
Apply a generous layer of dry rub all over the pork butt. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 8 hours to overnight.
Remove pork butt from fridge and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.
Prepare smoker or oven for indirect cooking at 225°F to 250°F. Use wood chunks or chips if smoking for extra flavor.
Place pork butt directly on grate or in a roasting pan, fat-side up. Cook until internal temperature reaches 195°F to 205°F, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours per pound (so 12 to 16 hours for an 8 pound pork butt).
After cooking, tent pork butt with aluminum foil and let rest 30 minutes before pulling/shredding.
Using forks or your fingers, pull or shred pork into bite-sized pieces. Discard any excess fat pieces.
Toss shredded pork with your favorite BBQ sauce. Serve on buns for sandwiches or over baked potatoes. Enjoy!

Cooking Tips for Moist, Tender Pork Butt

Cook low and slow. Stick between 225°F to 250°F if possible for best results.
Use a digital meat thermometer to monitor internal temp, not time alone.
Spritz or mop pork with apple juice, cider vinegar, or broth every 45-60 minutes while cooking. This adds moisture and flavor.
Let pork rest before pulling or shredding. This allows juices to redistribute.
Keep drippings to mix into BBQ sauce or serve au jus.
When reheating pulled pork, add moisture like broth or apple juice to prevent drying out.

Serving and Storing Leftover Pulled Pork

Pulled pork makes incredibly versatile leftovers. Here are some serving ideas:

Pile onto soft burger buns for classic barbecue sandwiches. Add pickles, slaw, and sandwich toppings.
Stuff into tacos or burritos along with pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole, and lime.
Toss with additional barbecue sauce and serve over cornbread, macaroni and cheese or baked potatoes.
Add to chili, soups, pasta dishes, omelets, fried rice, and more.
Top pizza crust with shredded pork, barbecue sauce, and cheese for pulled pork pizza.

Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days. For longer freezer storage, portion into bags or containers with broth or sauce to prevent drying out. Frozen pulled pork will keep for 2 to 3 months. Reheat gently before serving.

Cooking an 8 pound pork butt using the low and slow smoking or roasting method results in incredibly flavorful and tender shredded pork. While it requires a lengthy cooking time, the hands-off process means you don’t have to labor over the pork for the full 12 to 16 hours. Let your smoker or oven do most of the work! With the proper timing guidelines and temperature control, you’ll turn out phenomenal pulled pork every time you cook an 8 pound pork butt.

I made Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder

FAQ

How long to cook 8lb pork shoulder in oven at 250 degrees?

8 pound pork roast: Start with the heat at 450° for 20 minutes, then turn the heat down to 250°F and continue to cook for 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours until the middle of the roast registers 180°F.

How long to smoke a 6 pound pork butt?

Smoke the meat, occasionally adding aromatic chips to the fire, for roughly 1.5 hours per lb of meat. So, a 6 lb. pork butt will smoke for approximately 9 hours. Once the pork has reached a temperature around 200 F, remove it and place it somewhere warm and cover it with foil and a heavy towel.

How long does it take to cook an 8 lb Pork Butt?

At a steady smoker temperature of 225°F, it typically takes about 2 hours of cook time per pound of pork, meaning that an 8 lb pork butt may take around 16 hours to smoke fully. However, at 250°F, it may take slightly less time. What Factors Can Influence The Cooking Time For An 8 Lb Pork Butt?

How long should you cook a pork butt in the oven?

Cook the pork butt in the oven for about 20 minutes per pound. The slower the better. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, then place the pan into the oven. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. After they are well blended, sprinkle and rub the spice mixture all over the pork butt on all sides.

How long does it take to cook a pound of pork?

With your smoker running steady at 225 degrees F, you can typically plan about 2 hours of cook time per pound of pork. For example, an 8-pound pork shoulder will take about 16 hours from start to finish.

How long do you cook a pork butt on a grill?

Once your grill is ready, place the pork butt on the grates and close the lid. Smoke the pork butt for 8-10 hours or until the internal temperature reaches between 195 and 203 degrees. After the pork butt reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the grill and rest for 30 – 60 minutes.