Cooking a Boston Butt can be an intimidating task, especially if you don’t have any prior experience with smoking meat.
The process of smoking can seem long and arduous, and you might find yourself questioning how long it will take for your precious pork butt to reach the desired “falling off the bone” tenderness.
The good news is that we’ve done all of the research for you!
Thus, for a weight of nine to ten pounds of Boston Butt, this same total smoking time is approximately 15 to 18 hours.
Continue reading to learn about these factors and how to calculate the exact Boston Butt smoking periods for various meat weights.
How Long Should Smoke A Pork Butt At 225?
Cooking pork butt or a pork shoulder roast is a form of art that necessitates patience and accuracy.
The exact amount of time needed to smoke the pork butt depends on its size and can range anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 hours per pound.
Add an instant-read thermometer into the central portion of the roast because once you think it should be done to ensure you’ve attained the ideal level of doneness; for pork butt, that temperature should be 195°F or higher.
Remove it from the heating element and set it aside for 30 to 45 minutes before pulling or processing it further.
For maximum flavor and tenderness with your smoked pork butt recipe, allow for at least 15 minutes of resting time before chiseling and serving.
Also Read: How Much Pulled Pork for 20 People? [SERVING SIZE GUIDE]
Factors Affecting The Smoking Time:
1- The Size Of The Butt
One of the primary factors that will affect the smoking time of a Boston butt is its size.
A larger butt will take longer to smoke than a smaller butt. This is because it takes longer for the heat to penetrate the center of a larger piece of meat.
2- The Thickness Of The Fat Cap
Another factor that will affect the smoking time of a Boston butt is the thickness of the fat cap.
3- The Type Of Wood Used For Smoking
The form of wood used for smoking can also affect the smoking time of a Boston butt.
Softer woods like pine or cedar will impart more flavor to the meat but will burn faster than harder woods like oak or hickory.
As such, you may need to use less wood if you are smoking with softer wood.
4- The Temperature Of The Smoker
The temperature at which you are smoking your Boston butt can also affect its smoking time.
As such, you will need to adjust your cooking time based on the temperature at which you are smoking your meat.
5- The Amount Of Airflow In The Smoker
Another factor that can affect the smoking time of a Boston butt is the amount of airflow in the smoker.
If there is good airflow, then the fire will be able to oxygenate and stay hot, which will cook the meat faster.
If there is poor airflow, then the fire will be deprived of oxygen and will start to smolder, which will cook the meat more slowly.
6- The Humidity In The Smoker
The humidity in the smoker can also affect the smoking time of a Boston butt. If it is too dry, then the meat will dry out and become tough.
Thus, it is important to maintain a consistent level of humidity in your smoker during cooking.
7- Whether Or Not You Foil Your Butt
Finally, whether or not you foil your butt can also affect its smoking time.
The foil helps to trap moisture and prevents evaporation, which means that it can help to keep your meat from drying out during cooking.
How Long Should Cook A Boston Butt At 225?
The Boston Butt is an excellent place to begin your walk into the world of smoking if you are a novice.
The traditional picnic cut is not the same as a Boston Butt, which is also known as the ‘Blade Roast.’
It is a section of the pork shoulder that is cut into the shape of a wedge and is comprised of the neck, shoulder blade, and arm of the animal.
Cooking the meat at a low temperature for an extended period of time infuses it with a wonderful flavor and ensures the finest possible outcomes because the part has a high amount of fat and connective tissue.
To achieve an interior temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (or 71.1 degrees C) in a Boston Butt that weighs 8 pounds, the meat should be smoked for an average of 10 to 12 hours.
The following is the standard method for determining the length of time:
Here’s an accurate estimation of Boston Butt smoking times for different meat weights:
| Weight of Boston Butt Cut | Time Required at 225 |
| 10 lbs. | 15 to 18 hours |
| 8 lbs. | 10 to 12 hours |
| 4 lbs. | 6 to 8 hours |
Some Tips To Smoke A Boston Butt
1- Choose Your Butt Wisely
When choosing a Boston butt, you want to make sure that you select one that is well-marbled with fat.
This may help to ensure that the meat is juicy and flavorful. You want to make sure that the butt is of a good size.
If it is too small, it will not be enough to feed everyone. If it is too large, it will be difficult to cook evenly.
2- Trim The Fat
Once you have selected your Boston butt, you will need to trim the fat.
You do not want to remove all of the fat, as this will dry out the meat.
However, you do want to trim off any large chunks of fat that may not render down during cooking.
3- Season The Meat
After you have trimmed the fat, you will need to season the meat.
You can use any type of seasoning that you like, but we recommend using a simple rub of salt, pepper, and paprika.
This will help to give the meat flavor without overpowering it.
4- Prepare Your Smoker
This includes ensuring that there are sufficient charcoal and wood chips to last the duration of the cook.
You should also ensure that the smoker is properly set up so that it cooks evenly.
5- Cook Low And Slow
The key to cooking a juicy and flavorful Boston butt is to cook it low and slow.
This may seem like a long time, but trust us, and it is worth it!
6- Let It Rest
Once the Boston butt has finished cooking, you will need to let it rest for 30-60 minutes before carving.
This allows the juices to apportion throughout the meat, actually resulting in a more juicy and flavorful final product.
Also Read: How Long to Smoke Pork Shoulder at 275? [ANSWERED]
How To Measure Internal Temperature Of Smoked Boston Butt?
Measuring the internal temperature of a smoked Boston butt is essential to ensure that it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
A good way to measure the internal temperature is with an instant-read digital thermometer.
Add the tip of the thermometer to the thickest part of the smoked pork butt and wait 30 seconds for an accurate reading.
It’s important to remember not to insert the thermometer so deeply that it touches bone or fat; otherwise, you could get a false reading.
When in doubt, take another reading from a different part of the meat to be sure.
How Much Boston Butt Per Person?
When feeding a large crowd, knowing how much Boston butt per person to purchase can be tricky.
Therefore, approximately 15 pounds of smoked Boston Butt would be required to feed ten people.
The typical amount of raw meat necessary for ten persons is roughly twenty pounds, taking into account the fact that there is a loss of thirty percent owing to wastage and shrinking.
If you know your guests will be particularly hungry, consider allowing half a pound per person.
Make sure to consider the particular sides and other dishes you’ll be serving, as this can also affect how much Boston butt to buy.
How Long To Smoke A 10 Lb Boston Butt At 225?
| Temperature (in degrees Fahrenheit) | Time Required to Smoke Per Pound | Time Required to Smoke 10 Pounds of Boneless Boston Butt |
| 225 ℉ | 120 minutes | 16 to 20 hours |
| 250 ℉ | 90 to 95 minutes | 12 to 15 hours |
| 275 ℉ | 60 minutes | 9 to 12 hours |
| 300 ℉ | 30 to 45 minutes | 5 to 8 hours |
Smoking a 10 lb Boston butt at 225 can be a bit daunting, but with the right technique, it can be done relatively easily.
Thus, for an ideal weight of between nine and ten gbp of Boston Butt, the total smoking time is approximately 15 to 18 hours.
Cooking at that low temperature ensures that the meat has time to absorb the smoky flavor without getting dried out.
Conclusion
The general rule of thumb is to smoke your Boston Butt at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 ½ to 2 per pound.
However, every cooker is different, so it’s important to use a meat thermometer to gauge when your pork is cooked through.
For pulled pork, you’re looking for an internal temperature of 145-165 degrees Fahrenheit.
At this point, the connective tissue should be melted, and the pork will be easy to pull apart with a fork.
So, whether you’re preparing food for a large group or just for yourself, now you know how long to smoke a Boston butt!