What’s better than this easy and delicious Traeger pulled pork recipe? Not much! The smoky flavor you get from slow cooking a pork roast is the best way to cook tender pulled pork for pork sandwiches and more! This easy recipe will give you foolproof fall apart pork every single time.
BEST Easy and Delicious Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe
I’ve cooked pork butt many times in my crock pot/slow cooker, instant pot and oven, and after many recipe tests, this way to cook pulled pork is my absolute favorite!
The Traeger grill gives any home chef an advantage because it makes meat so tender and doesn’t dry it out.
A long cook time (but not all day!) allows the roast to cook to perfection and falls off the bone (or apart if you’re using a boneless pork roast).
Why you’ll love this smoked pork butt recipe
Easy to make – Once you heat your Traeger, season the pork, and get it cooking, the steps are super simple to follow. If you’ve intimidated by longer cook times on the Traeger, rest assured there is a whole how-to video you’ll find below.
Impress your friends and family – The flavor, texture and end result is a meal that is a huge hit! This is one of my kid’s favorite meats I cook, and it’s a great one to serve to friends or bring to a cookout!
Inexpensive – Pork roasts, especially bone in roasts, are inexpensive cuts of meat. You’ll often find them going on sale, which will save you more money too. They serve a crowd too!
What you need for the best pulled pork
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
- pork shoulder roast (bone in or boneless)
- Traeger Pork and Poultry Dry Rub (or your favorite dry barbecue spice rub)
- your favorite bbq sauce
- apple cider vinegar
How to make Traeger pork
Step 1: When you’re ready to cook your pulled pork turn the Traeger on to smoke and leave the lid open for 5 minutes to start the smoke. After 5 minutes (and when you see smoke), close the lid and set the temperature to 250 degrees F. It will take about 10 minutes to get up to the temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the pork roast by dabbing any excess liquid off with paper towels. Remove any connective tissues or excess fat that you see. Next, sprinkle the dry rub all over the roast.
Step 3: Place the seasoned roast directly on the grill grate. Close the lid, and cook for 2 hours, turning over halfway through.
Step 4: After 2 hours, place the roast in a shallow aluminum foil baking dish.The internal temperature will be around 140-145 degrees F, depending on the size of the roast. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the roast, and cover the dish tightly with 1-2 pieces of foil.
Step 5: Cook for 2-3 more hours, until the pork reaches 205 degrees F.
Step 6: Keep the pork wrapped in foil while it rest for 30-60 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the roast from the pan and shred with forks (it should be super tender and falls apart!).
Step 8: After shredding the pulled pork, add your go-to barbecue sauce, and enjoy! Serve between buns with lemon tahini slaw.
Watch me make smoked pulled pork
The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!
What to serve with Traeger smoked pulled pork
Here are favorite sides that go well with this Traeger pulled pork recipe:
- Cast iron skillet cornbread
- Traeger asparagus
- Kale pomegranate salad
- Roasted broccoli and carrots
- Lemon tahini slaw recipe
How to store for best results
Cooked pulled pork stores really well. Once cooled to room temperature, add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
You can also freeze pulled pork! Add to a freezer bag once cooled, label and date it and keep it frozen for up to 6 months.
To reheat leftover pulled pork, add to a pan or skillet and warm over medium-low heat until warmed through. Add extra bbq sauce if you’d like when reheating.
How to make pulled pork in the slow cooker
If you don’t have a Traeger around, no worries! You can still make delicious, flavorful pulled pork at home.
To your crock pot, add the seasoned pork shoulder. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the pork, and cook on low for 8-10 hours, until it is tender.
Remove the pork from the slow cooker and add it until a bowl to shred. Add bbq sauce and serve!
Substitutions
Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this best smoked pulled pork recipe.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
Pork roast – For this recipe you’ll want to use a fattier pork cut, like a pork shoulder roast, boston butt roast, pork butt roast, picnic roast These will be the best cut of meat to get that fall apart tender result. Leaner pork cuts like pork loin or pork tenderloin won’t work as well for this recipe. If you have a pork loin to use, try this Traeger Pork Loin Roast Recipe!
More Traeger recipes you’ll love
Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb pork shoulder roast (bone in or boneless)
- 1/4 cup Traeger Pork and Poultry Dry Rub (or your favorite dry barbecue spice rub)
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup bbq sauce
Instructions
- When you’re ready to cook your pulled pork turn the Traeger on to smoke and leave the lid open for 5 minutes to start the smoke. After 5 minutes (and when you see smoke), close the lid and set the temperature to 250 degrees F. It will take about 10 minutes to get up to the temperature.
- Prepare the pork roast by dabbing any excess liquid off with paper towels. Remove any connective tissues or excess fat that you see. Next, sprinkle the dry rub all over the roast.
- Place the seasoned roast directly on the grill grate. Close the lid, and cook for 2 hours, turning over halfway through.
- After 2 hours, place the roast in a shallow aluminum foil baking dish.The internal temperature will be around 140-145 degrees F, depending on the size of the roast. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the roast, and cover the dish tightly with 1-2 pieces of foil.
- Cook for 2-3 more hours, until the pork reaches 205 degrees F.
- Keep the pork wrapped in foil while it rest for 30-60 minutes.
- Remove the roast from the pan and shred with forks (it should be super tender and falls apart!).
- After shredding the pulled pork, add your go-to barbecue sauce, and enjoy! Serve between buns with lemon tahini slaw.
Nutrition
If you try this pork butt recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
