← Back to Recipes
Boston Butt Recipe recipe photo - Boston Butt Recipe by Jan

Boston Butt Recipe

Published: February 11, 2025 Prep Time: About 20 minutes Cook Time: About 6 hours Total Time: About 6 hours 20 minutes Serves: 8 Difficulty: Easy Category: Main Course Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 Boston butt pork shoulder (4-5 pounds)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F
  2. In a small bowl, mix all dry seasonings
  3. Rub seasoning mixture all over the pork shoulder
  4. Place pork in a roasting pan
  5. Mix apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and olive oil
  6. Pour mixture over the pork
  7. Cover tightly with foil
  8. Roast for 5-6 hours until meat is tender
  9. Remove foil and increase oven temperature to 400°F
  10. Roast for 15 minutes to brown the outside
  11. Let rest for 15 minutes before shredding
  12. Serve with barbecue sauce

Special Notes

This Boston butt recipe creates incredibly tender, flavorful pulled pork. The long, slow cooking process ensures the meat is fall-apart tender. The combination of spices creates a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors. You can cook this in a slow cooker on low for 8-10 hours instead of the oven. This pork is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or as a main course with sides.

← Back to Recipes