Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

every butt needs a rub - pulled pork

Recipe by
Gina Davis
Cedar Bluff, VA

OK! LOL lets start with the name of this thing! Here at my house we all have larger then life humorous personalities! So with that being said my son LOVES this pulled pork and he named every bit of it LOL I know I was the one who let him name it butt come on it is just FUN lol It seems like a long recipe but really it is not! Prep is really only about 30 minutes the rest of the time in brining and baking!

yield serving(s)
prep time 12 Hr
cook time 12 Hr
method Bake

Ingredients For every butt needs a rub - pulled pork

  • BUTT WASH (BRINE)
  • 1
    boston butt 6 pounds or larger
  • 1 c
    brown sugar
  • 1 c
    kosher salt
  • 2
    bay leaves
  • 2 bottle
    hard root beer (or regular root beer)
  • 2 Tbsp
    dry rub (recipe follows)
  • 2 qt
    water (or more to cover butt)
  • 2 Tbsp
    liquid smoke (optional)
  • ADD LIQUID SMOKE TO BRINE 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOU REMOVE THE BUTT FROM THE BRINE LIQUID!! JUST STIR IT AROUND WITH THE BUTT STILL IN THE LIQUID
  • BUTT POWDER (RUB)
  • 2 c
    brown sugar
  • 1/4 c
    kosher salt
  • 4 Tbsp
    chili powder
  • 3 Tbsp
    black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp
    cumin
  • 2 Tbsp
    paprika (i use hungarian hot but use what you like)
  • 2 Tbsp
    garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp
    onion powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    chipotle chili powder (or cayenne chili powder) adjust to your heat level
  • 1 tsp
    jamaican allspice (or regular allspice but i love jamaican allspice!
  • BUTT LOTION (SAUCE)
  • 1 c
    frank's red hot sauce or whatever hot sauce you like
  • 1/4 c
    apple cider vinegar (adjust this to the vinegar level you like i love mine with lots :)
  • 1/4 c
    brown sugar
  • 2 tsp
    chili powder
  • 1 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    black pepper
  • 1 tsp
    cumin
  • 1 tsp
    cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp
    chipotle chili powder (optional) i always use it
  • 1/2 tsp
    red pepper flakes

How To Make every butt needs a rub - pulled pork

  • 1
    This really is not a long recipe it is just short prep but long brining and baking! But so worth the time!!
  • 2
    MAKING THE BUTT RUB: Combing all the sugar, salt and seasonings in a airtight container and mix well. Set aside.
  • 3
    The cooking time on this recipe is NOT by time but by temperature. When the Butt reaches 200 degrees it is done. That is what lets it pull apart.
  • 4
    BRINE THE BUTT: I use a 2 1/2 gallon ziploc bag! And I got to say they work amazing! I just pop it in the bottom bin on my fridge door! Use what will hold the boston butt: Any container that will fit in the fridge. Combine all ingredients stir until sugar and salt is dissolved (I start out with a couple cups of hot water to get everything to dissolve quicker :) Place Butt in brine mix and make sure there is enough to cover it. Add extra water if needed. Place in fridge for AT LEAST 12 HOURS. Can be left for up to 72 hours (I do the 3 days I love a longer brine)
  • 5
    After the brine time is up remove Butt from the fridge and add liquid smoke if you are using it to the brine liquid (just leave the Butt and pour it around it. Mix it around with a spoon and let set for 15 minutes.
  • 6
    Preheat oven to 250 degrees
  • 7
    Using a large roasting pan lined with foil wrap and place Butt in pan. Using paper towels pat dry all around.
  • 8
    Remove 3-4 tablespoons of the Rubb for later use.
  • 9
    Turn Butt with the fat cap down and pat the Butt Rub all over the bottom, lifting up any flaps and putting the Rub into them as well. Turn the Butt over with the fat cap up and rub a thicker layer of the Rub Mix on to it. Rub mix all over the sides as well Patting and pressing it in good.
  • 10
    Using a oven safe meat thermometer (I use a digital) place probe into thickest part of the Butt making sure not to hit the bone. And set temp. time to 200 degrees.
  • 11
    Place roast in oven. If using a regular meat thermometer check Butt after 12 hours. And every hour after that until it reaches 200 degrees. Once Butt reaches 200 degrees turn oven off and let Butt rest for 2 hours in the oven.
  • 12
    Remove Butt and let cool to a temperature you are comfortable with handling place into a different dish and pull or tear apart.
  • 13
    When you have pulled Butt apart sprinkle with reserved Rub and mix through out. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit until ready to serve. Serve on your favorite bun (We are Sunny Bun People here lol) With your fave bbq sauce or just drizzle with the Butt Lotion (recipe follows)
  • 14
    BUTT LOTION (Optional) In a small sauce pan combine all ingredients and bring to a low boil stirring occasionally. for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool. Drizzle over pork.
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