Pork is the most popularly consumed meat in America and there is no surprise as to why. I mean, who doesn’t love slow cooked, delicious, BBQ? Whether you prefer sliced, chopped, or pulled pork; a Boston butt is the absolute best cut of meat for the job.
It is tender, juicy, deliciousness just waiting to be topped with a well-balanced sauce or stuffed into a potato. But how often do you truly have the time to hunt down the best BBQ or venture to your favorite BBQ restaurant?
Believe it or no; you can cook the perfect Boston butt at home. You may be thinking, yeah, well I don’t have a smoker or grill equipped for a Boston butt or the time to cook it. This is purely a myth. You really can cook an amazing Boston butt at home in your over!
Yes, you heard right! In your oven! There are many different methods for cooking a Boston butt at home, but today we are going to take a look at the best oven method for fall off the bone deliciousness. If BBQ isn’t your style, this method can also be used to cook the perfect Boston butt as a roast for a simple carve and serve dinner.
What You Will Need:
- Boston Butt- This particular recipe is for a 4Lb. Boston butt; simply adjust the recipe to fit the weight you need.
- Cooking Vessel- I prefer a roasting pan or disposable aluminum pan; any pan large enough to hold your Boston butt that isn’t too shallow will do.
- Aluminum Foil.
- BBQ Sauce- Your favorite store bought sauce or homemade will work just fine.
- Seasoning
When it comes to seasoning, your options are endless. If you choose, you can purchase a pre-made rub. You can also create your own! I personally make my own; I appreciate having control over the flavors, as well as, being able to limit the unnecessary sodium. My recipe is as follows:
- 1 ½ Cups. Brown sugar (Dark brown or Light brown will due).
- 2 tsp. Paprika
- 1 tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Black pepper
- 1 tsp. Onion powder
- 1 tsp. Garlic powder
- 1 tsp. Creole or Cajun seasoning (Homemade or store bought)
Cooking Directions
1. Begin by pre-heating your oven to 250 degrees; be sure to check your oven racks and makes certain they are spaced enough to fit your Boston butt in before the oven gets hot. It’s not fun to adjust them once they are smoking hot.
2. Prepare your roasting pan or other pan of choice by lining it with aluminum foil. This is not necessary, but makes for a much easier clean up. Then set your pan to the side.
3. The next step is to make your seasoning. If you are using my recipe above, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk to remove any lumps. The seasoning can easily be adjusted to flavor preference and I encourage you to do so! Have fun with the seasoning! You can also use some liquid smoke if you are concerned with missing out on the smoky flavor of a grill or smoker.
4. Once you have created your seasoning mix, completely coat your Boston butt in the rub. Be sure to get both sides and gently press the seasoning into the meat as you go. Once it is completely covered, wrap it in aluminum foil and place it in the roasting pan. The goal is to trap in all of the juices with the foil.
5. Bake at 250 degrees for 5 hours. After the 5 hours, remove from the oven and then crank the heat up to 350 degrees.
6. Remove the Boston butt from the foil and brush with your favorite BBQ sauce. Return the Boston butt to the oven and bake at 350 degrees for another hour. If you feel that the BBQ sauce is beginning to get too brown or burn; simply cover the pan in aluminum foil.
7. After the cooking time is up, remove the Boston butt from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 20-minutes. Cutting into it immediately could cause all of the juices to seep out, leaving you with dry BBQ!
8. Once the meat has rested, you are ready to carve! This method is completely up to you and personal preference. At this point, you can pull, chop, slice, or chunk the meat however you would like.
What to Do with Your Perfect Oven Cooked Boston Butt
Now that you know how to cook the perfect Boston butt, what will you do with it? Well, the possibilities are endless. A few of my favorites are pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ stuffed sweet potatoes, and my all-time favorite, Brunswick stew.
Regardless of what you choose to do with your Boston butt once you cook it, this cooking method is sure to be a hit with your family and become a go to, easy weeknight meal with little to no prep.
Oven cooked Boston butt is not only affordable, it’s easy, and makes the perfect multi use protein that you can use for a week long meal prep or easily freeze for a quick meal later in the month. Plus, once you are comfortable with this great cooking method, you can start to play around with the flavors; which I strongly suggest that you do!
Maybe you would like a little bit bolder flavor or even a cumin spiced Boston butt that can easily be used for delicious carnitas. Don’t be afraid to try new flavors, spices, and exotic rubs. No matter how you choose to use your oven cooked Boston Butt, you can bet your family will enjoy it time and time again.
Have you tried cooking a Boston butt in the oven? Do you have a favorite spice blend to create BBQ magic with the convenience of your oven? Share your favorites and opinions in the comments section.
Leave a Reply