Cody Casey
Cooking a whole Boston butt in a crock pot is a great way to make a large batch of tender, juicy pulled pork. The long, slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissue in the meat, making it easy to shred and ensuring a tasty result. The cooking time will depend on the size of your Boston butt, but you can expect it to take anywhere from 6 to 14 hours on a low heat setting. It's important to note that you should always add liquid to the crock pot to prevent the meat from drying out and to help create a delicious gravy to accompany your meal.
Characteristics and Values for cooking whole Boston Butt in a crock pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Boston Butt/Pork Shoulder/Pork Butt |
| Weight | 4-8.9 lbs |
| Cooking Time | 8-14 hours |
| Cooking Temperature | Low |
| Cooking Style | Slow Cooker/Crock Pot |
| Seasoning | Salt, Pepper, Onion Powder, Brown Sugar, Paprika, Garlic |
| Additional Ingredients | BBQ Sauce, Water, Lemon, Worcestershire Sauce, Corn Starch, Oil |
| Serving Suggestions | Coleslaw, Cornbread, Potato Salad, Potato Buns, Rolls |
| Leftovers | Refrigerate for up to 7 days, Freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Seasoning: rub with salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, and garlic
Seasoning is a crucial step in cooking a whole Boston butt in a crock pot, as it infuses flavour into the meat. Here is a detailed guide on seasoning the pork with salt, pepper, brown sugar, paprika, and garlic:
Firstly, trim the fat cap of the pork butt using a sharp knife. This step is important as it helps to control the amount of fat in the final dish and prevents the meat from becoming overly greasy. However, do not trim away too much fat, as it is essential for keeping the pork juicy and flavourful.
Next, pat the meat dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture from the surface of the meat ensures that the seasoning adheres better and creates a more intense flavour profile.
Now, it's time to make the rub. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix these ingredients well with a fork until they are fully incorporated and uniform in colour. You can adjust the proportions of each ingredient to your taste preferences. For a spicier rub, add more paprika; for a sweeter touch, increase the amount of brown sugar.
Before applying the rub, cut 8-10 slits into the pork roast using a sharp knife. Take a garlic clove and slice it into thin slivers. Insert these garlic slivers into the slits, distributing them evenly throughout the roast. This technique ensures that the garlic flavour permeates the meat as it cooks, adding a savoury depth to the dish.
Finally, apply the rub generously to the surface of the pork roast. Use your hands to pat and rub the seasoning mixture onto the meat, ensuring it is evenly coated. Massage the rub into the meat, paying extra attention to the crevices and nooks of the roast. Once the meat is thoroughly coated, it's ready to be placed in the crock pot for cooking.
Remember, the amount of seasoning you use can be adjusted to your personal preference. Feel free to experiment with additional spices or ingredients to create a unique flavour profile that suits your taste.
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Cooking time: 8-12 hours on low heat
Cooking a whole Boston butt in a crock pot is a great way to make the meat tender and tasty. This cut of meat is ideal for slow cooking, and the long cooking time will ensure that all the connective tissue breaks down. Here is a step-by-step guide for cooking a whole Boston butt in a crock pot for 8-12 hours on low heat:
Preparation:
First, you will need to prepare the meat. Trim the fat cap, dry the pork with a paper towel, and then rub the meat with salt and pepper. You can also try other seasonings like chilli powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, or brown sugar. For extra flavour, cut small slits into the meat and insert garlic cloves or slivers. You can also try adding a rub of brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cooking:
Place the seasoned meat, fat side up, in the crock pot. If desired, add a bottle of A1 sauce or a cup of water/broth to the pot. Turn the crock pot on to a low heat setting and let the meat cook for 8-12 hours. The longer cooking time will ensure the meat is tender and easy to shred.
Resting:
Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and let it rest. It is best to let the meat sit for at least 20 minutes, but an hour is ideal. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat moist and juicy.
Serving:
After resting, shred the meat with a fork. You can serve the Boston butt as a classic pulled pork sandwich or use it in other dishes like tacos, burritos, or as an addition to meals for extra protein. Don't forget to use the cooking liquid from the crock pot to add extra flavour and moisture to your shredded pork!
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Internal temperature: at least 195°F-205°F
The cooking time for a whole Boston butt in a crock pot will vary depending on the size of the cut of meat. A larger roast will require a longer cooking time. Generally, a Boston butt should be cooked on low heat for 6 to 8 hours, or 10 to 12 hours if cooked "low and slow". However, one source recommends cooking for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
The best way to determine when your Boston butt is cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The meat is done when it reaches an internal temperature of at least 195°F-205°F. This will ensure that the meat is tender and that all the connective tissue has broken down. If you do not have a thermometer, you can test the meat by grabbing it with a fork and seeing how easily it shreds. If it does not shred easily, it needs more time.
After cooking, it is important to let the meat rest for at least 20 minutes, but preferably for an hour. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it moist and tender.
Once the meat has rested, use a fork to shred it. You can then add your choice of seasoning or sauce.
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Liquid: add 1 cup of water or broth to prevent sticking
When cooking a whole Boston butt in a crock pot, it is important to add liquid to the slow cooker to prevent the meat from drying out and sticking to the pot. While some recipes suggest adding no liquid, as the meat will release juices as it cooks, adding at least 1 cup of water or broth can help ensure that your pork butt doesn't dry out, especially if you are cooking for a longer period.
The amount of liquid you add to the crock pot can depend on the size of your roast. For a larger roast, you may need to increase the amount of liquid to ensure that there is enough to prevent sticking and burning. You can also add extra liquid for flavour. If you are cooking your Boston butt with vegetables, such as potatoes and carrots, the liquid will also help to create a gravy sauce to spoon over the meat and veggies.
You can use water, broth, or stock as your liquid base, and some recipes suggest adding ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, or barbecue sauce to the liquid for extra flavour. If you are using a bone-in pork butt, you may want to add a little more liquid to account for the bone.
Additionally, you can use the liquid that collects in the crock pot during cooking to make a gravy to serve with your meal. Simply transfer the liquid to a saucepan, create a slurry with cornstarch and water, and slowly add the slurry to the liquid while whisking. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over your pulled pork.
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Serving suggestions: pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, burritos, or with potatoes and carrots
Once your Boston butt is cooked, you can use the meat as a starting point for all sorts of dishes.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Toast your buns for an authentic sandwich taste. You can also butter them, and serve with bread and butter pickles. Don't forget to save any extra BBQ mixture to add to the sandwiches.
Tacos and Burritos
For tacos and burritos, season the shredded pork with a mix of chili powder and cumin, with a pinch of cayenne.
With Potatoes and Carrots
The cooking juices can be made into a gravy to spoon over the pork and vegetables. To make the gravy, transfer about 1 ½ cups of the liquid from the slow cooker to a small saucepan. In a small dish, stir together 1 tablespoon of water with 1 ½ tablespoons of cornstarch until a smooth slurry forms. Slowly add the slurry to the liquid in the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Whisk continuously until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the weight of the Boston butt. A 4 lb pork roast should be cooked for 5-6 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. An 8 lb pork butt can be cooked for 12 hours on low.
The ideal temperature is 195°-205° Fahrenheit, which is when the connective tissue breaks down.
No, it is not necessary to add liquid as the meat will release juices as it cooks. However, some recipes suggest adding 1 cup of liquid to the crock pot.
You can season the meat with a rub made of brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add garlic slivers by cutting slits in the meat and inserting the garlic.
You can serve the Boston butt with coleslaw, corn on the cob, mac n cheese, fresh fruit, apple pie a la mode, or potato buns.
