How Long To Cook Pulled Pork In Oven Per Pound

For cooking pulled pork in 250 degrees F preheated oven, a bone-in pork shoulder can generally take about 1.5 – 2 hours per pound to roast and be safe to consume, however, this time may vary slightly depending on the recipe you are preparing and the oven you are using.

When cooking pulled pork with a 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder in a 250 degrees F preheated oven for example, aim on roasting it for around 5.5 – 7 hours keeping an eye on the last 90 minutes to ensure it won’t overcook during the process.

What’s the Best Temperature to Cook Pulled Pork?

I personally and many chefs recommend cooking pulled pork at a low and slow temperature of 250 degrees F, as this temperature allows the pork to cook evenly, rendering the fat and connective tissues, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. Cooking at 250 F strikes the right balance between ensuring tenderness and not drying out the meat.

For those looking to speed up the cooking process, another option is to roast at a higher temperature of around 300-325 degrees F. While this reduces the cooking time, it may yield slightly less tender results. If you choose this method and want to adjust the cooking time accordingly, make sure to refer to our Cooking Time Adjustments For Different Oven Temperatures guide.

How Long To Cook Bone-in Pulled Pork Per Pound At 250?

In a 250 degrees F preheated oven, pulled pork made from bone-in pork should typically need around 1 hour and 30 minutes – 2 hours to cook and the meat becomes tender enough to be easily pulled apart. Your pulled pork is done roasting when it reaches a safe internal temperature of 205 F when checked with a food thermometer.

You may want to cover your pork shoulder with aluminum foil while cooking in the oven, to ensure all the juices are trapped inside and the pulled pork will end up juicy and easy to pull apart.

How Long To Cook Boneless Pulled Pork Per Pound At 250?

In a 250 degrees F preheated oven, boneless pork shoulder intended for pulled pork usually takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes – 1 hour and 30 minutes per pound to cook to the desired tenderness when it reaches a 205 degrees F internal temperature.

Remember to let your pulled pork rest for at least 20 minutes after cooking, as this allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat more succulent when pulled apart.

How Long To Cook Frozen Pulled Pork In The Oven At 250?

For pulled pork made from a frozen bone-in pork shoulder, when roasted in a 250 degrees F preheated oven, it generally takes about 2.5 – 3 hours per pound to fully cook and tenderize. You may want to cover your pork with aluminum foil to help maintain moisture and prevent any potential drying out.

If you’re using frozen boneless pork shoulder to make your pulled pork, then aim on cooking for 2 – 2.5 hours per pound, it’s shorter than using bone-in pork shoulder because the absence of bone means heat penetrates more directly into the meat, so it cooks a bit faster.

How Long To Cook 2 Lb Pulled Pork In The Oven At 250?

A 2 lb bone-in pork shoulder intended for pulled pork, when cooked in a 250 degrees F preheated oven, it will typically take approximately 3 – 4 hours to roast and reach the desired tenderness and safe internal temperature of 205 degrees F.

When cooking 2 lb boneless pork shoulder to make your pulled pork then expect it to take around 2.5 – 3 hours to cook in the same 250 degrees F preheated oven. However, these times are approximate and may vary slightly on the type of oven you are using and the tenderness you are achieving.

How Long To Cook 4 Lb Pulled Pork In The Oven At 250?

In a 250 degrees F preheated oven, a 4 lb bone-in pork shoulder destined for pulled pork will generally require about 5.5 – 7 hours to cook to the right tenderness and ensure its internal temperature reaches 205 degrees F.

In case you are cooking your pulled pork using 4 pounds of boneless pork shoulder then aim on roasting it for approximately 4.5 – 6 hours to reach a tender internal temperature of 205 F.

How Long To Cook 8 Lb Pulled Pork In The Oven At 250?

For an 8 lb bone-in pork shoulder meant for pulled pork in a 250 degrees F preheated oven, it typically takes approximately 11 – 14 hours for the meat to reach the desired tenderness and achieve an internal temperature of 205 degrees F.

On the other hand, if you’re preparing pulled pork with an 8 lb boneless pork shoulder, you can expect a roasting time of around 9 – 12 hours in the same 250 degrees F preheated oven. Regularly basting the meat during the cooking process can help maintain its juiciness and further enhance its flavor.

How Long To Cook 10 Lb Pulled Pork In The Oven At 250?

Cooking a 10 lb bone-in pork shoulder for pulled pork in a 250 degrees F preheated oven, the cooking time ranges between 14 – 18 hours. It’s recommended to ensure that the meat achieves an internal temperature of 205 degrees F for optimal tenderness and safety.

When roasting a 10 lb boneless pork shoulder for pulled pork in a 250 degrees F preheated oven, the cooking time is generally closer to 12.5 – 15 hours depending on the oven you are using to bake your pulled pork.

How Long To Cook Pulled Pork Per Pound At 250 In a Convection Oven?

In a convection oven preheated to 250 degrees F, a bone-in pork shoulder for pulled pork usually takes about 1.25 – 1.5 hours per pound to cook, so, if you’re cooking a 4-pound pork shoulder, you’d be looking at approximately 5 – 6 hours of roasting time in the same 250 F oven.

A pulled pork made with boneless pork shoulder, on the other hand, generally requires about 1 – 1.25 hours per pound in a 250 degrees F preheated convection oven, thus, a 4-pound cut would need around 4 – 5 hours for optimal tenderness at the same 250 F temperature.

Can I Cover My Pulled Pork With Foil When Cooking It?

I personally recommend covering your pulled pork with aluminum foil, especially during the initial hours of cooking as this will trap moisture within, ensuring that the pork remains juicy and succulent. This method is especially helpful if you’re concerned about the meat drying out.

However, if you desire a crisp bark or crust on your pulled pork, consider removing the foil during the last few hours of cooking to allow that exterior to develop and crisp up.

How Long To Cook Foil-Covered Pulled Pork Per Pound?

In a preheated oven set to 250 degrees F, pulled pork made with foil-covered bone-in pork shoulder generally takes about 1.25 – 1.75 hours per pound to cook and achieve the desired tenderness.

On the other hand, if you’re cooking pulled pork with foil-covered boneless pork shoulder, you should aim for approximately 1 – 1.5 hours per pound to roast and reach that a tender internal temperature of 205 F when checked with a meat thermometer.

How To Know When Pulled Pork Is Done Cooking?

The best method to determine if your pulled pork is done cooking is by using a food thermometer and seeing if it reaches an internal temperature of 205 degrees F, this can be checked when inserting it into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding any bones.

Another practical method to check the doneness of your pulled pork is the pull-apart test by using a fork or a pair of tongs, try pulling a small portion of the meat. If it comes apart easily and feels tender, your pulled pork is ready.

Baked 4 Pound Pulled Pork At 250 F Recipe Ingredients

• 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 1 cup beer or substitute- Dr. Pepper, Root Beer, or Coke
• 1 onion diced

Dry Rub

• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dry mustard
• ½ tsp oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder

How To Bake 4 Pound Pulled Pork At 250 F

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl, mix all of the rub’s spices together well.
3. Using paper towels, dry the pork roast, and then rub it with salt.
4. Wrap your roast in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
5. Heat the oil in a big pot until it starts to smoke. Add the onions and let them cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Place the pork carefully in the pot and brown it on all sides (3-5 minutes per side). Then take the pan off the heat and add the beer.
7. Cover the pan and bake the pulled pork for 4.5 to 6 hours. After 90 minutes, check to see if it needs more liquid.
8. Pull the pork out of the oven, let it cool until it is safe to handle, and then shred it with two forks.
9. Add your favorite barbecue sauce to coat the shredded pork and toss to coat the pork.

What To Serve with Baked Pulled Pork

• Cornbread
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sweet Corn Fritters
• Fried Mashed Potato Balls
• Spicy Collard Greens
• Arugula Salad
• Onion and Tomato Curtido Salad
• Pesto Pasta Salad
• Macaroni Salad
• Garlic Bread
• Cucumber Tomato Salad
• Naan Bread
• Green Salad

How To Store and Reheat Pulled Pork Leftovers

To store place your pulled pork leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating, preheat your oven to 250 degrees F, place the pulled pork in an oven-safe dish, add a splash of apple juice or broth to keep it moist, cover with foil, and reheat for 10 – 15 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

More Times and Temperature Guidelines:

• How Long To Smoke Pork Butt At 225
• Cooking 10 lbs of Pork Shoulder
• How Long To Cook Pork Shoulder In The Oven At 350