The Pork butt is certainly one of the most popular cuts of meat, and even more so for those that take the time to smoke the meat. However, preparing and smoking pork butt is not the easiest task in the world.
So today we shall take a deep dive into the world of the pork butt and learn how to wrap the butt, how to prepare it, and some other awesome tips.
What Is Pork Butt?
The pork butt is also known as the Boston butt or shoulder roast. It’s a cut from the upper portion of the pig, which means that it contains both muscle groups (the longissimus dorsi muscle and the gluteus medius). This type of cut is usually used for roasting.
It has a lot of fat on it, but this doesn’t mean you can’t cook it well. In fact, if you remove the fat before cooking, then you will have a much better result.
It’s also very versatile because you can use it in many different ways. You can grill it, bake it, fry it, braise it, etc. The possibilities are endless!
How Do I Prepare My Pork Butt For Smoking?
You should start by removing all the excess fat. If you don’t do this, then your final product will be greasy. So make sure you get rid of all the fat first.
The next step is to trim off any excess skin. This is something that you want to avoid when wrapping the butt because it’ll just end up getting stuck inside the package.
Now comes the fun part – cutting the pork butt into smaller pieces. Don’t worry about making them too small, because they will still taste great.
Now that you have trimmed the butt, you need to decide what kind of smoker you will use. There are two main types of smokers out there: charcoal and electric.
For charcoal smokers, you will need to soak the wood chips in water for at least 30 minutes. Then place the soaked chips on top of the coals. Make sure you keep an eye on the temperature.
If the temperature gets too high, then you might burn the meat. On the other hand, if the temperature drops below 200°F, then you won’t get the desired results.
If you are using an electric smoker, then you will need to preheat it for 20-30 minutes. Once the temperature reaches 250°F, then you can add the pork butt.
After 15 minutes, flip the pork butt over and repeat the same process. After another 10 minutes, flip again and repeat the process once more.
After doing all this, you need to let the butt rest for at least 2 hours. During this time, the juices will redistribute themselves throughout the meat.
Once the resting period is done, you can now begin wrapping the butt.
Wrapping The Butts
Before wrapping the butt, you need a good pair of gloves. Gloves help protect your hands while handling the pork butt. They also prevent you from contaminating the meat with any bacteria.
There are two basic methods of wrapping the pork butt. One method involves folding the butt in half and tying it with butcher twine.
The second method requires you to roll the butt like a jelly roll. When rolling the butt, make sure that it’s not twisted. The goal here is to create a tight seal around the butt so that no air gets trapped inside.
The first thing you need to do is to fold the butt in half. Now take the ends of the butt and tie them together using butcher twine.
Make sure that you wrap the butt tightly. Try to cover every inch of the butt.
Now that you’ve wrapped the butt, you can either leave it alone or put it in the refrigerator overnight.
What Should I Use As Wrapping Material?
You can use almost anything as long as it’s food safe. Some examples include aluminum foil, wax paper, parchment paper, plastic wrap, etc.
How Long Can I Keep My Wrapped Butt In The Refrigerator?
It depends on how much heat you put into the butt. For example, if you only cook the butt for 3 hours, then you can store it in the fridge for 24 hours.
However, if you cook the butt for 7 hours, then you should be able to keep it in the fridge for 48 hours.
Can I Freeze Wrapped Pork Butt?
Yes, but it’s best to freeze the wrapped butt after cooking it for 6 hours. This way, when you thaw the butt, it will be ready to eat.
How Long Does It Take To Smoke A Whole Pig?
It depends on how big the pig is. For example, a whole hog takes approximately 12 hours to smoke.
However, the smoking process does take longer than just cooking the butt. You need to allow the butt to cool down before you start wrapping it. This allows the fat to solidify and stop dripping onto the fire.
This makes it easier to handle when you wrap the butt. Also, the fat helps give the butt its flavor.
Is There Any Way To Speed Up The Smoking Process?
Yes! You can speed up the smoking process by adding some liquid smoke to the pit. Liquid smoke is made from burning hickory wood.
Liquid smoke has been shown to increase the amount of smoke produced during the smoking process. So, if you want to get the most out of your smoker, add some liquid smoke to the firebox.
Do I Need To Cook The Wrapped Butt Before Smoking It?
No, you don’t have to cook the wrapped butt before smoking it. That’s because the wrappings act as insulation. So, there won’t be any direct contact between the raw meat and the coals.
Also, the wrappings slow down the drying process. This means that the meat stays moist even though it’s being smoked.
So, the bottom line is that you don’t need to cook the wrapped butt first. Just place it directly on top of the coals.
How Do I Know If The Wrapped Butt Is Ready To Eat?
There are several ways to tell if the wrapped butt is done. First, look at the color. If the pork butt looks dark brown, then it’s probably cooked all the way through.
If the butt still appears pinkish, then it needs more time. But, once the butt turns completely black, then it’s ready.
Another way to know if the butt is ready is to check the temperature. When the butt reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then it’ll be ready.
If the butt doesn’t reach this temperature, then you can continue cooking it until it does.
How Much Time Will It Take To Smoke The Wrapped Butt?
The time required to smoke the wrapped butt varies depending on the size of the butt. For example; a small butt (about 4 pounds) will take about 2 hours to smoke.
A large butt (8-10 pounds) will take about 5 hours to smoke. And, a huge butt (15-20 pounds) will take about 8 hours to smoke.
What Are Some Of The Best Ways To Store Smoked Meats?
You can store smoked meats in the refrigerator or freezer. However, you should always use plastic containers. They’re better than glass because they won’t break like glass would.
You also shouldn’t put smoked meats in airtight containers. Instead, you should leave them open so that the smoke can escape.
Wrapping Your Meat In Plastic Wrap Can Make It Moister
Wrapping your meat in plastic wrap can help keep it moist. This is especially true for larger cuts of meat.
For example, a 10-pound pork butt will stay juicier if you wrap it in plastic wrap.
If you plan to eat the wrapped butt within two weeks, then you should refrigerate it right away. However, if you plan to freeze it, then you should wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it immediately.
What Are Some Great Alternatives To Pork Butt?
Pork butt isn’t the only type of meat you can smoke. There are many other types of meats that you can smoke. Here are just a few examples:
• Brisket
• Beef brisket
• Turkey breast
• Chicken thighs
• Corned beef
• Lamb’s shoulder
These are some of our favorite alternatives if you are trying to avoid pork.
Final Thoughts
Smoking is one of the best methods for preserving food. You can make flavorful foods last much longer by using this method.
However, when you smoke meat, you want to do it correctly. Otherwise, you may end up with a piece of meat that tastes terrible. That’s why we created this guide. We hope that you find it useful!
Also, remember that there are different kinds of smoking equipment. So, before purchasing any smoker, you should consider how much space you have available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Use Any Type Of Wood To Smoke Meat?
Yes, you can use almost any type of wood to smoke meat. However, we recommend using hickory. This is because hickory has a nice smoky flavor.
Also, hickory burns slowly, which makes it perfect for smoking meat.
What Kind Of Firewood Should I Use To Smoke My Meats?
We recommend using hardwoods such as oak or maple. These woods burn hot and slow. However, if you don’t have access to these woods, then you can use softwoods such as pine or cedar. These woods burn fast and produce less heat.
What Is The Difference Between Smoking And Barbecuing?
Barbecue is an American term that refers to cooking over a fire. On the other hand, smoking is a process where you cook food without direct contact with flames.
In barbecue, you place food directly onto the coals. Then, you wait until the food starts to brown.
On the other hand, in smoking, you place food on racks above the fire. Then, you let the smoke circulate around the food.
Which Method Produces Better Flavor?
The main difference between barbecuing and smoking is that smoking produces more intense flavors. Also, smoking doesn’t require you to turn the meat constantly which is always a bonus.