Smoked Pulled Pork cooked on Pit Boss Wood Pellet grill served on table

Your Guide To Perfect Pulled Pork

Smoked pulled pork is a classic barbecue staple with many regional variations. Follow our tips for juicy, tender pulled pork that shreds easily—perfect for feeding a crowd or using in other recipes.

Set of meat claws for shredding pulled pork

What cut of meat should I use?Use a pork shoulder (Boston butt), 5–12 lb. bone-in for maximum flavor and even cooking.

How many pounds per person?Plan on ⅓–½ lb of finished meat per person, accounting for 30–40 % weight loss during cooking.

How to season pulled pork View our injected pulled pork recipe , then choose a dry rub like Homestyle Pork Rub or Sweet Heat Rub . Inject or rub thoroughly and let rest 30 minutes before cooking.

How to cook pulled porkSmoke at 200–250 °F until the internal temperature reaches 195–205 °F (about 2 hrs per pound at 225 °F), until the meat yields easily to a probe or fingertip.

Fat side up or down?Place the fat cap toward the heat source (usually down) to baste the meat as it renders.

Which pellet blend is best?Choose a mild-to-medium smoke like Hickory Blend or Classic Blend .

Pulled Pork Recipes

Pulled pork breakfast burritos on a plate — Pulled Pork Breakfast Burritos

Pulled pork eggs Benedict on a plate — Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict

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Comments

Dennis McCormack - July 17, 2026
I have never cooked a Pork shoulder butt (boneless). this is my first time. I would like a simple recipe to start out with. Can you help me?

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