Traeger Pulled Pork (on a Pellet Grill) – Stupid easy!

Smoked pulled pork is AWESOME! I love to it and have met very few people who don’t. If you want to be a BBQ rockstar, you’ve gotta be able to nail the cook on smoked pork butt. Smoking Traeger Pulled Pork is excellent practice.

Who is this guide to Traeger Pulled Pork for?

In this easy step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to prepare mouth-watering Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork using your Pellet Grill or Pellet Smoker.

Whether you’ve smoked hundreds of pork butts like me, or have never even heard of a pork butt or pork shoulder, we’ll walk you through the process of making this oh-so-easy smoked pulled pork…

This guide is perfect for those seeking a simple yet satisfying method to create smoked pulled pork that’s tender and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients for making Traeger Pulled Pork

Before you dive into preparing your mouth-watering Traeger pulled pork, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. Here’s a quick list that covers the basics:

• 5 to 10 pounds of pork butt (or pork shoulder if preferred)
• 1/4 cup of binder (I use mustard or olive oil; neither impacts final flavors)
• 1/2 cup of your favorite bbq rub
• Your favorite barbecue sauce for serving
• Optional: 1 cup of apple juice for spritzing
• Optional: Buns and coleslaw for serving your pulled pork as sandwiches

Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder

Smoked pulled pork is generally made from either pork butt or pork shoulder. Here’s a table comparing and contrasting the two cuts:

For more info, here is a cool article on the topic.

How to smoke pulled pork on the Traeger

To smoke pulled pork on the Traeger grill, follow these easy steps:

1. Preparation: Pat the pork butt (or pork shoulder) dry, then trim the excess fat. Apply a lite coat of binder. Then, generously apply BBQ rub on every surface.
2. Preheat the Grill: Preheat your Traeger Pellet Grill or Pellet Smoker to 225°F with the lid closed for about 15 minutes.
3. Cooking: Place the pork butt directly on the grill grates, close the lid, and smoke to the desired internal temperature. Optional: Spritz with apple juice or apple cider vinegar every hour to keep the meat moist.
4. Checking the Temperature: Use a meat probe to check the internal temperature. It should reach 160°F before you proceed to the next step.
5. Wrapping: Remove the pork butt from the grill and place it on a large piece of aluminum foil. Wrap the foil tightly around the pork. For an added level of flavor, add brown sugar, honey, and/or unsalted butter before closing the foil.
6. Finishing the Cook: Return the wrapped pork to the grill and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 190°F to 205°F. This could take another 2-3 hours.
7. Resting and Pulling: Let the cooked pork rest for an hour before you start pulling it apart.
8. Serving: Serve your smoked Traeger pulled pork with your favorite BBQ sauce. Enjoy it on its own or in a sandwich with coleslaw.

Preparing Your Pellet Grill

This is one of the easiest parts of the whole process and a huge reason I love Pellet Smokers.

Just top off your Traeger or other Pellet Smoker with whatever pellets you’d like (mesquite, oak, hickory or I like competition blend of all), turn the grill on and set the temperature.

I recommend a smoking temperature of 225°F.

Pulled Pork on Traeger Pellet Smoker – Tips for Beginners

As a beginner, smoking pulled pork on a Traeger Pellet Smoker may seem challenging, but a few tips can guide you towards mastering this simple approach.

• First, patience is key. To achieve tender, juicy pulled pork, slow and low cooking is essential, which can take anywhere between 8 to 12 hours, depending on the size of your pork butt.
• Second, remember to spritz your meat with apple juice or apple cider vinegar every hour. This helps in keeping the meat moist during the smoking process.
• Importantly, after cooking, let your pork rest for at least half an hour before pulling it apart. This step allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making every bite flavorful.
• Lastly, maintain a consistent temperature on your Traeger. Any fluctuation in temperature can result in uneven cooking and a less-than-perfect result.
• By following these tips, you’re sure to impress with your first batch of smoked pulled pork.

Prep the pork butt or pork shoulder

1. Choose the Right Cut: Start with a quality piece of pork butt or pork shoulder; preferably bone-in for added flavor.
2. Trim the Fat: Trim off any excess fat from the outside of the pork. You want to leave about 1/4 inch of fat cap on top for flavor and to keep the meat moist during cooking.
3. Apply the Dry Rub: Apply binder and generously season all sides of the pork with your favorite BBQ dry rub. Be every nook and cranny receives rub.
4. Let It Rest: Allow the seasoned pork to rest in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight. This allows the flavors from the rub to penetrate the meat.
5. Bring It to Room Temperature: About an hour before you plan to start cooking, take the pork out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. This helps the pork cook more evenly.

Benefits of Spritzing or Mopping Pork Butt

Spritzing or mopping your pork butt during the smoking process offers multiple benefits. I do not always spritz because I often run my smoker without much supervision. However, I do recommend spritzing to achieve maximum flavor.

1. Keeps the Meat Moist: Spritzing or mopping your pork butt during the smoking process helps to keep the meat moist. This is especially important due to the long cooking process, which can potentially dry out the pork.
2. Adds Flavor: The chosen liquid for spritzing or mopping penetrates the meat as it cooks, thereby enhancing the overall taste of the final product (your pulled pork). Consider apple juice or apple cider vinegar as those are most common.
3. Creates a Delicious Bark: Spritzing contributes to creating an exquisite bark or crust on the exterior of the meat.

Beat the stall, Wrap the pork

The “stall” can be frustrating if you’ve never smoked a large piece of meat (think Brisket, Pork Butt, Pork Shoulder). You watch the internal temperature of the meat constantly rise over several hours, then BAM; it seems to hit a wall.

Fear not. The “stall” is expected and extremely commons, so much so it even has it’s own cool nickname. Here are a few keys to know about the stall:

• It’s expected
• Often occurs between 155 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit
• Can last several hours
• The time can be shortened by wrapping the meat in aluminum foil

Anytime I smoke a pork butt or pork shoulder, I wrap once the meat reaches the stall. It not only reduces overall cooking time, but also makes the resting process simpler since the meat is already wrapped.

What can you do with Traeger Pulled Pork?

Smoked pulled pork can be used in a lot of different ways. Here are some ideas to get you started…

Eat Traeger Pulled Pork by itself: If pulled pork is cooked right, you don’t need anything but the meat itself to have a good meal or snack. I usually don’t even add BBQ sauce to mine.

Try Traeger Pulled Pork Sandwiches: Here’s a simple and delicious way to serve some great tasting sammiches (redneck for sandwiches). Start with a toasted brioche bun, add tangy coleslaw, pile high with pulled pork, and top with a generous helping of your favorite BBQ sauce. This method results in a flavor and texture medley that’s gonna make you want to make weird noises as you devour the sammich.

Smoked pulled pork and eggs: You read that right, Eggs. Smoked pulled pork pairs so well with eggs in any form. Spread it over scrambled eggs or put some inside an omelet for a great meal any time of day. Amp it up by adding BBQ sauce or hot sauce.

Will it Taco?: Yes, Traeger Pulled Pork will absolutely taco. Just slap it inside a tortilla and go to town. For a next level experience, fix the tacos like you would any other; add salsa, onions, cilantro, sour cream, etc.

How to store leftover pulled pork

Preserving leftover Traeger smoked pulled pork ensures that none of your hard work goes to waste and you can still enjoy its sumptuous flavor for days to come.

• Allow it to cool to room temperature after your meal but do not leave it out for more than two hours
• Once cooled, place the pork in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags
• Smoked pulled pork can last in the refrigerator for days
• Freeze if you want to store it for a longer period
• Frozen smoked pulled pork can retain its quality for months
• Remember to thaw frozen pulled pork in the refrigerator before reheating and serving

How to Reheat Traeger Pulled Pork

1. Thaw the pork: If you’ve frozen your smoked pulled pork, ensure to thaw it completely in the refrigerator before proceeding to reheat.
2. Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 225 – 250°F to gently reheat the pork without drying it out.
3. Prepare the meat: Place the pulled pork in a baking dish and add a little apple juice, apple cider vinegar, or broth to keep it moist during reheating.
4. Cover the dish: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and heat evenly.
5. Reheat: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and reheat for approximately 30 minutes, or until the pork is heated through.
6. Check the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the pulled pork. It should reach 165°F to ensure it’s properly heated.
7. Serve: Once heated thoroughly, serve the pulled pork immediately, and enjoy the same delicious smoky flavor as when it was first cooked.

Meat thermometer recommendations

A good meat thermometer is a staple of beginner and expert pit masters alike. It’s one of the first things I recommend to those who ask advice on how to start out or up their BBQ game.

I personally use, and highly recommend, the Thermapen One by Thermoworks. I’ve been through multiple cheaper thermometers and had bad experiences. The Thermapen is 100% worth the money.

Conclusion

Smoky Traeger Pulled Pork is easy to make, tastes delicious by itself, and can be served in a variety of ways. Since storage and reheating are both a breeze, I recommend keeping some smoked pulled pork around for any occasion. I have some in my freezer right now!

If you have a Traeger Pellet Grill, or any type of Pellet Smoker, you can master the process above and become a BBQ legend with minimal effort.

Frequently Asked Questions About Traeger Pulled Pork