By
James
Updated on
Who doesn’t like delicious, moist, and tender pulled pork? Many people feel that it’s a big challenge to cook delicious pulled pork. But it’s quite the opposite. It’s easy to make tasty pulled pork at home.
While you can finish your cook on the BBQ smoker, you can also finish pork in an oven to come up with delicious pulled pork. You can set the oven at the right temperature and leave the meat in it to complete the cook.
When you’re finishing pork in the oven, you don’t have to continuously keep an eye on the cooker’s temperature.
What temperature do you finish pulled pork?
Since we all have different preferences, there is no hard and fast rule regarding the temperature to finish pulled pork. Besides, the size and weight of the meat also play a role here. However, most experts and enthusiasts recommend that you cook your meat on the smoker until the internal temperature reaches 160⁰-165⁰F (tops). You can then take it out, wrap it, and put it in the hot oven (225⁰F or above). You can finish pulled pork when the internal temp reaches 190⁰F-198⁰F or a little more, depending on the meat’s size and weight. By that time, you can easily take apart the meat from the bones.
Can you overcook pork?
Pork can overcook if you cook it at a random temperature and do not set a time. But if you follow every step carefully and keep the tips in mind, pork will not overcook. However, a few minutes above the specified time or few degrees higher than the recommended temperature will not make much difference. You can also keep three things in mind; undercooked meat is unsafe, overcooked meat is tasteless, and perfectly cooked meat is succulent, safe, and delicious.
Does pork get tender the longer you cook it?
Pork does get tender if you cook it as long as recommended. You have to wait till the internal temperature hits 190 degrees F to finish the cook. But if the pork is more significant or heavier, you can take it a bit further. As mentioned before, some enthusiasts even wait till the temperature reaches 198 degrees F or a little higher. Hence, after it rises to 190 degrees F, it’s all about personal preference or the meat’s size.
Can you smoke a pork shoulder too long?
If you want juicy, tender, and fall-apart pork shoulder, you might have to smoke it beyond 15 hours, depending on the weight and size. Anything less than that will not be perfect. More significant portions may take up to 25 hours for a complete cook on the smoker and finishing in the oven.
Do you have to pull pork while it’s hot?
In the end, it depends on what you prefer. Some people pull pork as soon as they take it out of the oven. But many others rest it for at least 1-2 hours before pulling it. If you want to rest it, follow the FTC process; wrap in foil, wrap in a towel, and place in a cooler for at least 2 hours. However, if you cannot wait 2 hours, you can get it out and pull it after 1 hour also.
How long does it take to cook a Boston butt at 250 degrees in the oven?
Cooking a Boston butt at 250 degrees (Fahrenheit) in the oven can take 8-10 hours or a little more, depending on the size of your meat. If you notice the internal temperature has hit 190 degrees (Fahrenheit), after 8-10 hours, you can take it out of the oven and wrap it with a foil and rest it. You can keep it a little longer, though, if you notice that it is not as tender as you want it to be.
How long does it take to cook pork chops in the oven at 400?
The cooking time for pork chops at 400 degrees (F) also depends on the meat’s thickness and whether the chops are boneless or not. So, at 400 degrees, if your pork chop is boneless and ½ Inch/ 1 cm thick, it will cook at 7-8 minutes. For 1 Inch/ 2 ½ cm thick, it will take about 15-18 minutes. If your pork chop is with bone, ½ inch/ 1 cm thick will take about 12-14 minutes. For 1 Inch/ 2 ½ cm thick chop, 20-22 minutes will be sufficient. The time will be less or more depending on the oven temperature.
How to choose the best pork meat for pulled pork?
Both pork shoulder and pork butt come from the same side as a pig. However, pork butt is a cut from the upper and broader side with more fat, while pork shoulder comes from the lower and slender side. While you can use both to make pulled pork, most cooking enthusiasts and experts prefer pork butt over pork shoulder. So, you can buy a pork butt to cook a tasty pulled pork dish. Choose meat that is pinkish-red in color and devoid of any dark spots or discoloration on the fat. With the right pork portion and right tips, cooking the perfect pulled pork will be easy.
What is the best way to use pork butt?
From what I have learned so far on various platforms, pork butt is most suitable for smoking in a smoker or the oven. Or you can smoke in the smoker then finish it in the oven as described earlier. You can make the most delicious pulled pork with it. So why do anything else at all? You have all the tips and details, and you simply need a pork butt to start your cook.
Conclusion
You now have a basic idea about cooking pork in different ways. You can collect some simple recipes and get the ingredients to cook pulled pork, pork chops, or other pork meat dishes differently. Likely, your first cook may not be perfect. But nobody becomes an expert at once. Hence, you can continue with your passion, and soon you will come up with exceptional dishes. In the meantime, keep collecting more tips and recipes to create delicious dishes.
You should also keep the fact that no two people cook alike or prefer the same thing. So, you can follow the basic rules and do the rest according to your preference.
About The Author
Reviewed by
James
James is a writer who is a self-confessed kitchenware and coffee nerd and a strong advocate of Sundays, good butter, and warm sourdough.
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