How to Cook a Perfect Pork Roast on a Traeger Grill
A juicy flavorful pork roast is a wonderful main course for family dinners or special occasions. Traeger grills are ideal for cooking pork roast to tender mouthwatering perfection. The smoky, wood-fired flavor pairs so well with pork.
In this guide. we’ll cover everything you need to know to cook pork roast on your Traeger grill including
- Benefits of using a Traeger
- Key tips for preparing the roast
- Step-by-step cooking instructions
- Estimated cook times
- Internal temperature guidelines
- Resting and carving
- Delicious seasoning and sauce options
With the right techniques, you’ll be able to enjoy incredibly tasty roast pork off your Traeger grill anytime. Let’s get started!
Why Use a Traeger Grill for Pork Roast?
Traeger grills have some major advantages when cooking pork roast:
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Imparts delicious hardwood smoke flavor as the roast slowly cooks. This adds incredible depth of flavor.
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Provides consistent, even heat for thorough, tender cooking without burning or drying out.
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Requires little monitoring once you set the temperature – just check periodically.
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Infuses moistness into the meat rather than drying it out.
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Allows cooking at lower temperatures for optimal juiciness. Oven roasting often cooks pork too hot.
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Makes it easy to add smoky, caramelized outer crust from a quick sear over direct heat.
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Gives you the flexibility to use premium wood pellets like apple, cherry, hickory or mesquite for flavor.
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Lets you cook side dishes right on the grill alongside the roast for full, convenient meals.
With the Traeger handling most of the work, you’re freed up to focus on side dishes pairings and sauces.
Preparing the Pork Roast
Proper preparation is key to flavorful pork roast:
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Choose a boneless pork shoulder roast, also called a Boston butt. This is the best cut for roast pork. Get a 4-6 lb roast to feed 6-8 people.
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Pat the roast thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps develop a nice crust when searing.
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Coat all sides with a dry spice rub. Use 1-2 tablespoons per pound. Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub is perfect.
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Optional: Inject flavor by poking holes and injecting with a marinade or apple juice/cider using an injection syringe.
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For super crisp crust, chill uncovered in fridge 8-24 hours so the outer surface dries out a bit.
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Bring roast to room temp before cooking so the inside doesn’t stay cold. Take it out of fridge at least 45 minutes before grilling.
These simple steps prep the roast for the absolute best results. Now let’s get to the fun part – firing up the Traeger!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Pork Roast on a Traeger Grill
Follow these steps for perfectly cooked roast pork off your Traeger:
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Preheat Traeger grill to 180°F with lid closed for 15 minutes. Activate Super Smoke mode for extra flavor if available.
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Quickly sear roast over direct heat on both sides just until browned. This develops a delicious crust.
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Place roast in a foil pan. Insert a meat probe connected to the Traeger for monitoring.
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Pour 1⁄4 cup apple juice or cider into the pan and tightly cover pan with foil. The steam keeps the roast extra moist.
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Cook at 180°F with lid closed until internal temperature hits 140°F, about 1 hour.
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Increase heat to 275°F. Cook until center hits 205°F, around 2-3 hours more.
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Carefully remove foil, being cautious of hot steam. Grill any vegetables, potatoes, etc.
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Remove roast when done and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
The initial sear gives you the best of both worlds – crusty exterior and tender, juicy interior. Low and slow cooking does the rest of the work!
Estimated Cook Times for Pork Roast on a Traeger
The total cook time will vary depending on size of your roast and your Traeger model. Here are estimates:
- 4 lb roast: About 4 hours total
- 5 lb roast: About 5 hours total
- 6 lb roast: Around 6 hours total
The sear only takes 2-3 minutes per side. Most of the time is low, slow cooking to perfection.
Use a meat thermometer to check internal temp rather than relying solely on cook times. This guarantees the roast is cooked through properly.
Target Internal Temperatures for Pork Roast
Unlike beef, pork should be cooked to higher internal temperatures for safety:
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140°F: Minimum safe temperature for pork.
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160°F: Temperature for juicy pork loin roasts.
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205°F: Ideal for shoulder roasts to make pork very tender.
Pull the roast right when it hits your target temp for the perfect level of doneness. Resist cutting in too early.
Resting and Carving the Roast Pork
Once your pork roast is cooked, there are just a few more steps:
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Let it rest tented with foil for 10-15 minutes. This allows juices to reabsorb back into the meat.
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Carve into 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 inch thick slices across the grain. This yields the most tender bites.
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Serve with pan juices drizzled over the top. The natural jus is incredibly flavorful.
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Pair with your favorite sides. Grilled veggies, roasted potatoes, and salad make perfect complements.
With a short rest, you’ll be ready to serve your masterfully cooked Traeger pork roast!
Seasonings and Sauces to Complement Pork Roast
Don’t forget to add flavor with rubs, marinades and sauces:
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Dry rubs: Traeger Pork and Poultry, Coffee Rub, Jerk, or Southwest Spice work great.
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Wet marinades: Apple juice/cider, cola, ginger ale, wine or balsamic vinegar.
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Sauces: Barbecue sauce, pan gravy, apple chutney, mustard, or chimichurri.
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Herb pastes: Mix chopped rosemary, thyme, sage, garlic, pepper and olive oil. Slather on roast.
Get creative with flavors to make each roast unique. Pork pairs so well with both sweet and savory seasonings.
Mastering Pork Roast on the Traeger
As you can see, cooking pork roast on a Traeger grill is easy and incredibly flavorful. With the right preparation, cook times, temperature monitoring, and seasoning, you’ll achieve roast pork worthy of any occasion. Fire up that Traeger and enjoy! Your family and guests will be asking for seconds.
Anytime Pork Roast | Traeger Wood Fired Grills
FAQ
What temperature do you cook pork on a Traeger?
How long does it take to smoke a pork roast on a pellet grill?
What temp should a roast be cooked to on a Traeger?
How long to smoke a 3lb pork roast?
How do you cook a pork roast on a Traeger Grill?
Sprinkle pork roast with Traeger Pork & Poultry Rub on all sides. Place roast in an aluminum foil pan and pour apple juice on top. Place roast in the grill and smoke the for 1 hour. Remove roast from grill and increase Traeger temperature to 275℉ and preheat, lid closed 15 minutes. Cook roast for an additional 2 hours, uncovered.
How do you cook Traeger pork loin on a pellet grill?
Traeger Pork Loin is juicy, tender, and flavorful. You can prep it in 5 minutes or less and then let your pellet grill do the work. Rub the pork with the honey and then coat with the dry rub. Smoked for 1.5 to 2 hours at 250 degrees or until the internal temperature is 140-145. Let rest covered with foil for 15 minutes before slicing.
How do you cook a stuffed pork loin on a Traeger?
Place the stuffed pork loin directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke for 1 hour. Remove the pork loin, increase the Traeger temperature to 350˚F and allow to preheat with the lid closed for 15 minutes. Place the loin back on the Traeger, close the lid and cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135˚F.
How long do you cook pork ribs on a Traeger?
Place the loin back on the Traeger, close the lid and cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 135˚F. Remove the pork from the grill and cover it with a tent of aluminum foil. Let the pork rest for 15 minutes before removing and discarding the butcher’s twine, slicing and serving.