Tiffany Haney
Boston butt, also known as pork butt, is a cut of meat that can be cooked in a crock pot. It is a relatively inexpensive cut of meat that can be made tender and tasty through slow cooking. Boston butt can be cooked in a crock pot with a dry rub and no added liquid to produce juicy pulled pork. The cooking time will depend on the size of the cut, but it typically takes around 8 hours on a low setting or 5 hours on a high setting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Boston Butt Weight | 3-4 pounds |
| Boston Butt Type | Boneless or bone-in |
| Boston Butt Placement | Fat side up |
| Boston Butt Seasoning | BBQ seasoning, salt, pepper, paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper |
| Boston Butt Add-ons | BBQ sauce, Coca-Cola, lemon, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic slivers, liquid smoke |
| Boston Butt Cooking Time | 8-12 hours on low, 5 hours on high |
| Boston Butt Cooking Temperature | 250°F |
| Boston Butt Post-Cooking | Wrap in foil and towels, let rest for 15 minutes to 2-3 hours, shred while still hot |
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What You'll Learn
Boston butt vs. pork butt
Boston butt, pork butt, and pork shoulder are different cuts of meat from a pig. The butt is the front shoulder, and the ham is in the rear. The Boston butt is commonly bone-in, but it can also be boneless. It is typically 75% lean, with 25% fat. The Boston butt has more intramuscular fat, which means more flavour. It is usually sold in cryovac packaging and weighs between 6 and 14 pounds.
The pork shoulder is located higher, with the pork butt (or Boston butt) located slightly further down the foreleg. The shoulder meat can be smoked and sliced whole, like ham, or cut into chunks for stews and chilli recipes. The skin is usually left intact, and it is best to crisp it up using a reverse sear at the end of a long slow cook for pork crackling.
The butt is well-marbled with a good amount of intramuscular fat and almost always has a thick fat cap on top. It has a rectangular shape. The Picnic is the leaner bottom section of the shoulder and is usually served bone-in.
The names pork shoulder, pork butt, and Boston butt are often used interchangeably, and they are all well-suited to low and slow cooking methods such as smoking, roasting, stewing, and braising.
Boston butt can be cooked in a crockpot. It is a simple recipe that requires minimal prep and ingredients. The meat can be seasoned with salt, pepper, and onion powder, or a dry rub can be used. The cooking time is between 6 and 8 hours, depending on the size of the cut and the heat of the crockpot. The meat will be tender and juicy and can be served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.
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Dry rubs
Boston butt, also known as pork butt, is a cheap and tasty cut of meat that is ideal for slow cooking. The crock pot is perfect for big, tough cuts like this, breaking down the fat and connective tissues to create tender, juicy, and flavourful pulled pork.
The beauty of using a crock pot is that the meat soaks up spices, herbs, sauces, and more. You can use a dry rub of your choice, or make your own, and the options are endless. You can use a simple rub with salt and pepper, or add brown sugar, paprika, garlic, onion powder, chili powder, and cumin. You can also add cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
The key to a good dry rub is to be generous and coat all sides of the meat. You can then wrap the meat in plastic wrap and leave it in the refrigerator overnight to marinate and intensify the flavour.
If you want to add a smoky flavour, you can coat the meat with liquid smoke before applying the rub. This is an optional step, but one that is recommended by some.
Once you have applied the rub, you can place the meat in the crock pot, fat-side up, and cook on a low heat for 8-10 hours. The fat will melt during cooking, keeping the meat moist.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for a Boston butt in a crock pot depends on the weight of the meat and whether the crock pot is set to low or high heat. A larger cut of meat will take longer to cook than a smaller one.
For a 4-pound Boston butt, cook for 5 to 6 hours on low heat or 3 to 4 hours on high heat. Check the temperature of the meat with a thermometer—it should be between 195°F and 205°F. If it's not done enough, extend the cooking time for 30 minutes on low heat or 10 minutes on high heat.
For an 8-pound Boston butt, cook for 8 to 10 hours on low heat or 5 hours on high heat. The meat should be falling apart and easily shreddable. If you want to give the meat a nice crust, take it out of the crock pot and put it in the oven for 30 minutes after it's finished cooking.
If you're using a dry rub, cook the Boston butt low and slow for tender, shreddable meat. This method can be used for any size of meat cut and will deliver big flavor with just a few pantry ingredients.
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Liquid smoke
When choosing liquid smoke, it's important to select a brand with only two ingredients: water and smoke. Avoid any brands with additives, as these can affect the flavour of your dish. Wright's is a popular brand that meets this criterion.
To use liquid smoke in your Boston butt crock pot recipe, first pat the pork dry. Then, coat the meat generously with the liquid smoke, making sure to cover all sides. You can then apply your chosen rub, wrap the pork, and refrigerate it overnight to allow the flavours to develop. Alternatively, you can cook it right away.
When it comes to cooking, place the pork on foil balls in your crock pot, ensuring it doesn't touch the sides. Cover and cook on a low setting for 8-10 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 195°F. For the best texture and shredding, an internal temperature of 200-205°F is ideal.
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Leftovers
- Slather the meat in BBQ sauce and serve on a hamburger bun.
- Add pulled pork to a burger.
- Use the meat to make pulled pork tacos with cilantro lime aioli.
- Create a pizza using leftover meat as a topping.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook Boston butt in a crock pot.
Cooking time depends on the size of the Boston butt and whether your crock pot is set to high or low heat. A 4-pound Boston butt can take 5-6 hours on low heat or 3-4 hours on high heat. An 8-pound Boston butt can take 8-12 hours on low heat or 8 hours on high heat.
The ideal temperature for cooking Boston butt in a crock pot is between 195°F and 205°F.
Before placing the Boston butt in the crock pot, trim the fat cap, dry the pork with a paper towel, and rub salt and pepper on it. You can also try browning the roast in a pan or skillet beforehand to enhance the flavor and seal in the juices.
There are many recipes for cooking Boston butt in a crock pot, including pulled pork, BBQ pork, and pork roast. You can season the meat with a dry rub of brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper, and add garlic slivers by cutting slits in the roast. You can also try adding liquid smoke, Worcestershire sauce, or apple cider vinegar for extra flavor.
