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Fast, fuss-free, and fork-tender! My grilled pork butt recipe uses just 3 ingredients, but is a smoky BBQ win that gets everyone asking for seconds. Everyone from beginners to grilling experts will find this recipe easy to follow!
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It's grilling season year-round here, so I'm always grilling out. This Grilled Pork Butt recipe has to be one of my all-time favorite grilling recipes!
I've been perfecting it for years, and am excited to share with you my method for grilling the best pork butt. It's flavorful and so fall-apart tender, you can use it to make grilled pulled pork!
This is a low-effort pork butt recipe using just 3 simple ingredients, so even if you're a total beginner to grilling you can make this dish for your family.
I promise you, one bite of this fork-tender pork butt on the grill, and you'll wonder where this recipe has been all your life!
Grilled Pork Butt Ingredients
- Pork Butt: My recipe calls for a 4.5 pound pork butt. You may also see this cut of pork sold as Pork Shoulder or Boston Butt.
- Beef Broth: You can also use beef stock or your own homemade bone broth if you have some on hand.
- Pork Seasoning: I recommend using 4 Tablespoons of my pork seasoning recipe. It's savory, sweet, and salty. To make it, you will need kosher salt, sugar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
I use my pork butt rub on this Boston butt grill recipe. It's deeply flavorful and I love the sweet-and-smoky results of cooking with it! You can also use my pulled pork rub, or try using my dry steak rub or pork rib rub. It is the perfect combination of sweet and salty!
How to Grill a Boston Butt
- Rub pork butt dry rub all over. Coat every side completely with the seasoning. Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Place an aluminum tray under the rack of your grill. Center it in the middle of your grill. This will catch the juices from the pork as it cooks. You can place the pan under the pork, this also works.
Pour beef broth into the aluminum tray.
- Place the pork butt in the center of the grill. Grill for 2.5 hours on low heat. If you only have a grill with two sides, turn off one side. See notes for important cooking details!
- After 2.5 hours, remove the pork butt from the grill to wrap in aluminum foil. This will prevent the pork from burning and tenderizing the meat.
- Cook for an additional 1.5 hours on low heat.
You can serve it with homemade BBQ Sauce or even Carolina Barbecue Sauce!
Isabel's Top Tips for Grilling Pork Butt
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight (I recommend overnight).
- The two side burners of your grill should be set to low and your middle burner should be turned off. The meat will benefit from the indirect heat and prevent it from burning. If you have a two-side grill, you can turn off one side.
- Place an aluminum tray under the rack of your grill. Center it in the middle of your grill. This catches the drippings.
- After 2.5 hours, remove from the grill to wrap in aluminum foil. This will prevent it from burning.
Pork Butt Internal Temperature
| Cooking Method | Internal Temperature |
|---|---|
| Smoked Pork Shoulder | 195°F to 205°F |
| Grilled Pork Shoulder | 195°F to 205°F |
Pork shoulder, interchangeably with pork butt, is technically cooked through as soon as it reaches 145°F; however, similar to beef chuck roast, this cut of meat is better when you cook it for longer.
See my full Pork Temperature Chart for more pork recipes and temps!
How to Shred Pork Butt
- Place grilled Boston butt on a cutting board.
- Shred using two forks. Separate the fatty bits from the meat.
Top Reviews
This is the only way I will make pulled pork from now on! It is amazing. - Amy on Pinterest
I made this yesterday afternoon. Best pork roast I have ever made. Fall apart tender and sooo juicy. I used the brown sugar with some roasted garlic and pork spices. This will be my new go to for pork roast - Sarah
This turned out fantastic. Cooked to a slightly lower temperature than the recipe indicated so as to serve it more as a roast than a pulled pork meal. Paired with garlic, mashed potatoes and a broccoli salad made for a great Sunday night dinner. - Joe
See them all here→ or keep scrolling to the comments section below! I appreciate all of the amazing reviews on this recipe.
FAQ
The pork butt is cut from the upper part of the front leg of the pig. It's a fatty cut perfect for braising, roasting, or grilling low and slow. Boston butt is another name for pork butt. It's an inexpensive cut of meat and is so tender!
Pork butt, also known as Boston butt, is not the same as a shoulder cut. Although they both come from the front leg of the pig, the butt is actually higher up than the shoulder.
Boston butt has more marbling than the shoulder, and so it is more tender when you cook it.
Grill fat-side down. The pan you placed under the grill rack will catch all of the fat drippings. You can use the drippings to make a delicious au jus!
Grilling a Boston butt in foil keeps it nice and juicy and tenderizes the meat. This is what makes the meat fall-apart juicy!
On low heat, aim for around 1.5 hours per pound of pork butt. The goal is pork so tender you can shred it with a fork - as soon as it reaches that perfect texture, it's ready to enjoy.
Have a question that isn't answered here? Ask in the comments below! (Note: Your comment will not immediately appear.)
What to Serve with BBQ Pork Butt
There is nothing like my grilled pork butt recipe! Complete with a tasty homemade rub, I guarantee you'll savor every bite. Try using it to make one of my pulled pork recipes!
Tender Grilled Pork Butt Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 4.5 pound pork butt
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
Instructions
- Rub a 4.5 pound pork butt all over with 4 tablespoons pork dry rub seasoning. Coat every side completely with the seasoning.
- Refrigerate for 2 hours or up to overnight (recommeded).
- Place an aluminum tray under the rack of your grill. Center it in the middle of your grill. This will catch the juices from the pork as it cooks.
- Pour 2 cups beef broth into the aluminum tray. Place the pork butt in the center of the grill. Grill for 2.5 hours on low heat. See notes for important cooking details!
- After 2.5 hours, remove the pork butt from the grill to wrap in aluminum foil. This will prevent the pork from burning and tenderize the meat.
- Cook for an additional 1.5 hours on low heat.
Notes
- IMPORTANT NOTE: The two side burners of your grill should be set to low and your middle burner should be turned off. This will benefit the pork from the indirect heat and prevent it from burning.
- Cook time varies by size of meat. A 4.5 pork butt will cook for approximately 4 hours using this recipe.
- You can use the fat drippings to make a delicious au jus!
- To shred the pork after cooking, use two forks. Separate the fatty bits from the meat. Serve, and enjoy!
Christine Nelsen says
How much added time for a 6.5 pounder?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Christine! I would add around another 3 hours for a 6.5 pound pork butt, but it can vary, so just keep an eye on it as it cooks.
Rene says
sounds sounds and looks delicious, thanks for recipe
Isabel Laessig says
I hope you enjoy it, Rene!
Elias says
How long would you say for a 3 lb &1/4 ounce pork butt?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Elias! Try for about 2 hours and 45 minutes, but definitely check on it and make sure it's done and shredding well before taking it off the grill.
Ginny says
I have an 8# 3oz. Boston butt that I want to grill. Could you give me the cooking times? I’ve never grilled, but will lean on my husband’s experience. Thank you!
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Ginny! For an 8 pound Boston butt, it would take approximately 12 hours (1.5 hours per pound) to get it to the right temp. Enjoy!
Judy Milostan says
What Temp on grill for a 6.37 lb putt port roast? Thinking 45 min. per pound. Foil on last 2 hours?
Isabel Laessig says
Hi Judy! I would do 1.5 hours per pound. I'm grilling on low heat.
Joe Poquette says
This turned out fantastic. Cooked to a slightly lower temperature than the recipe indicated so as to serve it more as a roast than a pulled pork meal. Paired with garlic, mashed potatoes and a broccoli salad made for a great Sunday night dinner.
Isabel Laessig says
Thank you so much, Joe! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Bobbie says
What do I do my gas grill doesn't have a space big enough to be able to put the pan underneath the roast
Isabel Laessig says
You can place the pan under the pork, this also works. Thank you Bobbie!
William says
Getting ready to make this tonight and was wondering what you recommended for a grill that only has 2 side for cooking. Should I turn off the side it's on and have the other side low then rotate it half way through?
Isabel Laessig says
Yes, you can turn off one side! Thank you, William. Enjoy!