How to Smoke Pork Shoulder (Butt)
Pork · Smoking · Updated 2026-08-11
The classic pulled-pork cut. Smoke until 203°F and it shreds effortlessly.
How long to smoke Pork Shoulder (Butt)
Smoke at 225°F for roughly 90 minutes per pound, until the internal temperature reaches 203°F. Then rest 45 minutes.
| Weight | Smoker temp | Estimated time |
|---|---|---|
| 4 lb | 225°F | 6 hrs |
| 8 lb | 225°F | 12 hrs |
| 12 lb | 225°F | 18 hrs |
Smoking times vary with weather, your smoker and the stall — always cook to temperature, not the clock.
Calculate exact time → Temperature chart
Time is a planning range
Estimated window: weather, starting temperature, thickness, airflow, wrapping and lid opening can shift the cook by 20% or more.
Start checking early: begin probing before the calculated finish and stop by temperature and texture, not by the clock.
Safety vs ideal texture
| Safety context | Confirm the food-specific safe minimum separately from a tenderness target. |
|---|---|
| Recipe target | 203°F |
| Why they may differ | This high finish temperature is mainly a tenderness target for collagen-rich meat, not the minimum temperature at which the meat first becomes safe. |
| Rest | 45 minutes before slicing or pulling |
What changes the cook time?
- Thickness and shape matter more than weight alone for many cuts.
- Cold, wind and repeated lid opening extend the cook.
- Wrapping speeds the cook but softens bark.
- Thermometers should be checked in more than one spot and away from bone.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to smoke pork shoulder (butt)?
At 225°F, plan 90 minutes per pound — about 12 hrs for a 8 lb pork shoulder (butt) at 225°F. Cook until it reaches 203°F internal.
What temperature do you smoke pork shoulder (butt) at?
A smoker temperature of 225°F works well, pulling the meat at an internal temp of 203°F.
What internal temp for pork shoulder (butt)?
Target 203°F internal for pork shoulder (butt).