Ah, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the juicy tenderness of a succulent chicken breast, or the mouthwatering aroma of a slow-roasted pork shoulder – there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of a well-cooked piece of meat.
But as any seasoned chef will tell you, achieving that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and safety is all about cooking meat to the correct internal temperature. Like any other meat, pork butt has to be cooked to the proper temperature in order to be both delicious and safe to eat.
What Is The Right Internal Temperature For Pork Butt?
The right internal temperature for pork butt is 190°F (87.8°C). The temperature should be taken with a food thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. It is important to note that the temperature should be taken in the center of the meat, not the edges.
How To Cook Pork Butt To The Right Internal Temperature
The best way to ensure that pork butt is cooked to the right internal temperature is to use a thermometer. However, a typical method would be to cook it at a temperature of 205°F (96.1°C) for 40 minutes per pound.
It is also important to keep in mind that the internal temperature of pork butt will continue to rise after it is removed from the heat source. Therefore, it is important to remove the pork butt from the heat source when the thermometer reads 190°F (87.8°C). This will ensure that the pork butt is cooked to the right internal temperature.
Why Is Internal Temperature Important?
Cooking food to the right internal temperature is essential for food safety. Bacteria can cause foodborne illness when food is not cooked to the right temperature.
Pork Butt is particularly susceptible to foodborne illness because it can contain higher levels of bacteria than other meats. Therefore, it is important to ensure that pork butt is cooked to the right internal temperature in order to avoid foodborne illness.
When Cooking Pork Butt, It Is Important To Keep The Following Tips In Mind:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Combine apple cider vinegar, water, garlic, onion, vegetable oil, lemon juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large resealable bag. Add pork butt, seal bag, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, up to 12 hours.
3. Remove pork from bag, and discard marinade. Place pork in a roasting pan.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 3 hours.
5. Remove pork from oven, and thinly slice meat.
Pork Butt Recipes
Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
1 (5-pound) boneless pork butt
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups apple cider
1 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add pork to pan; cook 10 minutes or until browned, turning to brown on all sides. Remove pork from pan; set aside.
2. Add apple cider, onion, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to pan; bring to a boil. Return pork to pan. Cover and bake at 325°F for 3 hours or until pork is tender.
3. Remove pork from pan; cool slightly. Shred pork with a fork. Return pork to pan. Stir in 1/4 cup apple cider. Cover and bake at 325°F for 30 minutes or until pork is very tender.
Pork Fried Rice
Ingredients:
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 small onion, diced
1/4 cup frozen peas and carrots
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 pound pork tenderloin, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, peas and carrots, garlic powder, ginger, onion powder, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
3. Add pork and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and chicken broth. Add to the pork and vegetables and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 2 minutes.
5. Stir in cooked rice and green onions and cook for 2 more minutes.
Sources
1. Food Network UK. (2022, November 15). Recipes. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/oklahoma-joes-pulled-pork-recipe-2013934#:~:text=Return%20pork%20to%20the%20grill,and%20pull%20the%20bone%20out.