Pork Butt in Roaster Oven
Feed an army with three ingredients by creating a tender Pork Butt in Roaster Oven with the least amount of effort imagined.
Cook a pork butt in a roaster oven for tender, flavorful pulled pork with minimal effort. This hands-off, simple, low-and-slow method is ideal for gatherings and meal prep.
Slow Cook Pulled Pork
Small effort and large portions when cooking for a crowd are what's happening with this Pork Butt in Roaster Oven recipe. A slow-cooked, delicious, flavorful, pulled pork recipe that can serve an army of diners but is so hands-off, that it will allow you to enjoy your party, too.
Put a mess of Baked Beans with Ground Beef in the slow cooker at the same time and you'll have a full BBQ Pork Dinner in no time.
Other Roaster Oven Recipes Perfect for Big Crowds
This Pork Butt in Roaster Oven is perfect for graduations, family reunions, showers and parties of all sizes. I love using the electric roaster oven all year round.
For other crowd-pleasing large serving main dishes try:
Ingredients for Pork Butt in Roaster Oven
- Pork Butt Roast (Boston Butt) or Pork Shoulder - both cuts are pretty inexpensive and do well in this recipe.
- Rendezvous Seasoning - This seasoning is available online or if you're lucky you might find it in your local store. I order 4 at a time because I love the flavor it brings and don't mind paying for a little bit of the Memphis BBQ legend at my house. Or Create Your Own Rub.
- Beer - A can of beer brings a little flavor and needed moisture to the pot. Any beer you enjoy will work. If you don't have beer on hand, use 12 ounces of water or apple juice.
- Salt - Rendezvous seasoning doesn't have much salt, so I add a good sprinkling to my pork before it gets to cooking.
Difference Between a Pork Butt and Pork Shoulder
Pork Butt in the Roaster Oven (Boston Butt)
Despite the name, pork butt doesn't come from the rear of the pig - it comes from the upper part of the shoulder. This cut is thicker and beautifully marbled with fat, which is exactly why it's the go-to choice for pulled pork. That fat slowly melts during cooking, keeping the meat tender, juicy, and easy to shred.
Pork Shoulder in the Roaster Oven (Picnic Shoulder or Picnic Roast)
The picnic shoulder sits lower on the leg and has a more tapered shape. It's typically a little leaner and is often sold with the skin still attached, which makes it a great option when you want crispy crackling along with rich, slow-cooked meat.
Can You Use Them Interchangeably?
Yes. Both cuts are budget-friendly, hardworking pieces of meat full of connective tissue. They shine with low-and-slow cooking methods like roasting, braising, or smoking, which give the collagen time to break down and turn fork-tender.
How to Cook a Pork Butt Roast in the Roaster Oven
- Sprinkle pork generously with salt and Rendezvous Seasoning. Massage into meat to ensure it sticks.
- Place pork into the roaster oven.
- Pour beer around the pork. Avoid going over the top of the pork so your seasoning sticks.
- Roast the pork at 300 degrees in the roasting pan and cook until the pork is tender and the internal temperature is 165-180 degrees. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your pork cut. My 6 pound roast took about 6 hours.
- Shred pork using 2 forks and chop it with a knife until your desired texture.
- Allow chopped pork to warm in the cooking juices until ready to serve.
- Sprinkle with more Rendezvous Seasoning to taste.
Variations for Pork Butt in the Roaster Oven
Easy Smoked Pulled Pork Flavor - If you want a "smoked" flavor in your pulled pork, add liquid smoke along with the beer.
Create Your Own Rub - Make your own rub, if desired, using spices you like which could include: paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, brown sugar, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and/or vinegar and olive oil.
Which Pork Cut to Cook in the Electric Roaster Oven
Use your favorite cut of pork such as pork butt, pork shoulder (aka Boston Butt).
I've even used a fresh ham when I had one to use up. The meat in the fresh ham roast has a much longer structure than the shoulder or butt, but I chop it up and like it just as much.
Pork Butt in the Slow Cooker
Prepare as directed and place the pork butt in the slow cooker/crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours or until tender.
Ensure you don't fill your crockpot more than 70 percent full.
FAQ
I usually suggest 4-8 ounces (¼ to ½ of a pound) of meat per person depending on how many side dishes you are serving and who your diners are.
If I'm feeding the football team, I plan on them eating more than some guests.
Remember to plan for some weight loss when the meat is cooked. A 10-pound Pork Butt will yield around 6 pounds of meat when cooked and feed 12 to 20 people.
Cooking time for Pork Butt in Roaster Oven or the oven varies depending on the weight of the pork you are cooking.
At a temperature of 300 to 350 F, it takes around 45-60 minutes per pound of initial weight. I cook at 300 degrees. So I plan for 60 minutes per pound of pork butt.
For reference, mine took about 6 hours to finish.
Pork Butt in Roaster Oven can be made 1-3 days in advance. I like this option as it allows me the opportunity to easily remove some of the fat that solidifies when the meat and cooking juices are cold.
If you don't have a roaster oven, use your oven! How to cook a pork butt in the oven?
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place the seasoned roast in a large pan with a lid. If you don't have a lid, cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
3. Pour beer around pork butt. Cook as directed. The timing is the same as when cooking in the roaster oven.
What to Serve with Slow Cooked Pork Butt
I like to create a buffet serving line with:
- Burger buns or slider buns like the sweet Hawaiian Buns
- Barbecue sauce of your choice - I'm a Sweet Baby Ray's fan
- Extra Rendezvous Seasoning -
- Pickles - I like sweet hot pickles with BBQ
- Fresh or Pickled Onion Slices
- Cornaroni or
- Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes
- Potato Salad and Coleslaw are often served with Pork Butt
Baking a Pork Butt Roast in Oven
If you don't have a roaster oven, use your oven! How to cook a pork butt in the oven?
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
- Place the seasoned roast in a large pan with a lid. If you don't have a lid, cover with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
- Pour beer around pork butt. Cook as directed. The timing is the same as when cooking in the roaster oven.
Equipment for Pork Butt in Roaster Oven
I have this Roaster Oven from Amazon. They are readily available at our local super store as well.
However, I also find them nearly new on Marketplace and local yard sales. They are handy to have around especially when serving a crowd for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Graduation Parties, etc.
What to Make with Leftover Pork Butt
This makes a lot of meat. But I never get tired of eating it because there are so many ways to enjoy this pulled pork.
Some of my favorite ways to use leftover pulled pork butt is to make Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole or Pulled Pork Quesadillas!
But leftover pulled pork is so flexible when cooked this way. By leaving off the BBQ sauce you can make all kinds of dishes! Think: tacos, burritos, nachos, sandwiches, enchiladas, sliders, salads, etc.
Storing Pork Butt
Store leftovers in a covered container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
I enjoy making a variety of dishes with leftovers, but if you find you have more meat than will be eaten in 3 days or so, put the meat in freezer bags and store it for 3 months. Defrost and enjoy.
Serving Pork Butt
Perfect for a picnic or a party with these sides
Recipe Recap
I love many things about this recipe.
- I actually get to enjoy the party instead of cooking in the kitchen or manning the grill because prep takes less than 15 minutes. Then it's hands-off.
- Crowd pleaser
- An inexpensive way to feed an army
- Few ingredients and super easy prep
- Does NOT heat up the house
- Frees up my oven and cooktop for other dishes
- Leftover cooked pulled pork makes a bunch of different meals--quesadillas, mac and cheese, sandwiches, etc. etc etc.
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE? ❤️
Lastly, if you tried Pork Butt in Roaster Oven following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or rating!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And, of course, if you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!
Pork Butt in Roaster Oven
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Sprinkle pork generously with salt and Rendezvous Seasoning or use my recipe for Perfect Pulled Pork Rub.6 pound Pork Butt, 4 Tablespoons Rendezvous Seasoning, 1-2 Tablespoons Salt
- Massage into meat to ensure it sticks
- Place pork into the roaster oven.
- Pour beer around the pork. Avoid going over the top of the pork so your seasoning sticks.12 ounces Beer
- Set roaster oven at 300 degrees. Insert the probe thermometer and set the internal temperature alarm to 165 degrees. Put the lid on.
- Cook until the pork is tender and internal temperature is 165-180 degrees. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your pork cut. Mine took about 6 hours.
- Remove the pork butt from the roaster oven and allow to rest for 20-30 minutes.
- Shred pork using 2 forks and chop it with a knife until your desired texture.
- Allow chopped pork to warm in the cooking juices until ready to serve.
- Sprinkle with more Rendezvous Seasoning to taste
- Leave a review on the website to help others.
Yum!
It’s a keeper! I hope you enjoy!
The added touch of the beer makes it delicious!!! Great recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it! I love the subtle flavors the beer brings, too.
What are the directions if cooked in a slow cooker?
Made this tonight and used hard apple cider instead of beer. Excellent!
Great idea!! Thank you for sharing!