Pork Shoulder Resting Secrets
As you pull your smoking pork shoulder off the grill after a lengthy six to eight-hour session, a sense of accomplishment undoubtedly washes over you. Yet, the journey to the perfect barbecue isn’t quite finished yet. It’s time to consider an often-overlooked question: how long should you rest a pork shoulder? Before we dive into this, let’s first understand why resting your meat is so critical.
As the pork shoulder starts to cool, the muscle fibers within the meat begin to relax. This relaxation process allows the meat to distribute its juices evenly. When the meat is cooked, the heat pushes these juices toward the center. The resting phase also allows the meat to reach the desired temperature. It enables you to remove it from heat a bit early and let it come to temperature during the resting period.
The beauty of resting your pork shoulder is that it gives you a great opportunity to finish your cook early and serve your guests promptly, granted you’ve allowed enough time for the meat to rest. Keep in mind that pork butts can sometimes be more time-consuming than anticipated. Therefore, regular temperature checks and adjustments to your cooking plans are crucial.
The Essential Rest: Pork Shoulder Resting Time
You might feel the urge to shred your pork shoulder immediately after cooking, especially when your friends’ stomachs are growling. However, rushing this step could result in less juicy meat that’s harder to shred. Therefore, we recommend resting a pork shoulder for at least one hour.
Optimal Resting Time for a Boston Butt
The Boston butt, often referred to as the pork shoulder, should be rested for about the same duration as the pork shoulder. We recommend longer resting periods for larger cuts of meat. Unless you need to serve immediately, it’s wise to start your cook a little earlier or adjust your serving time to reap the benefits of proper resting. Ideally, you should finish your cook well in advance of your guests’ arrival. An hour of rest time is ideal, but the pork shoulder can rest for two to four hours. Even after resting for two hours, your pork shoulder will still be warm and ready to serve.
Mastering the Art of Resting a Pork Shoulder
When it comes to resting a pork shoulder, several methods can be employed. One is to keep the meat wrapped in aluminum foil on your kitchen table. Yet, our preferred method is using a cooler.
The cooler method efficiently retains the heat of your pork shoulder as it cools down slowly. You’ll need a large cooler that can accommodate your pork shoulder. Once your meat is cooked, wrap it in aluminum foil to retain its heat and place it in the cooler. Fill the cooler with some towels for insulation to keep your meat warm for a longer period.
The cooler method also offers the benefit of easy cleanup. It’s likely some juices may seep through the foil during resting. In such a case, a simple wipe-down with a wet paper towel will take care of the excess juices.
Apart from making cleanup easier, the cooler method ensures that your pork shoulder maintains a consistent temperature during resting. This consistency is essential for the complete redistribution of juices throughout the meat, yielding a more tender and flavorful result.
The Cooler Method Step-by-Step:
- Wrap the pork shoulder with tin foil.
- Place a towel at the bottom of your cooler.
- Take a second towel, and wrap it around the pork shoulder.
- Place in the cooler.
- Pull out once the resting period is over, or when it’s time to eat.
So, the next time you smoke a pork shoulder, remember the importance of the resting phase. It’s the final, crucial step to creating a tender, juicy, and flavorful pork shoulder that will have your guests coming back for seconds.
Check out our homemade pulled pork rub.