Name: Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 7 h
Total time: 7 h 10 min
Yield: 15
Ingredients: 10-Pound Pork Butt (AKA Boston Butt), thawed (or Pork Shoulder); ½ Cup Paprika; ¼ Cup Salt; ¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar; ¼ Cup Black Pepper; 2 Tablespoons White Sugar; 2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder; 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Jump to Recipe

When it comes to hosting a family gathering or backyard barbecue, few dishes are as beloved as pulled pork. This dish is not only delicious, but it’s also relatively easy to prepare and always a huge hit. And when you make it in a Traeger smoker, the results are simply amazing, just make sure you allow enough time…it will be worth the wait!

You’ll want to keep this recipe handy for super bowl parties, 4th of July cookouts, graduation parties, and more!

If you’ve never made pulled pork before, don’t worry. This recipe is designed for beginners, and it’s pretty hard to mess up. Just follow the instructions below, and you’ll be well on your way to impressing your guests with some of the best pulled pork they’ve ever tasted.

Why You’ll Love Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is the perfect solution for easy weeknight meals. You can use this Traeger smoked pulled pork recipe to make a variety of different meals.
This pulled pork recipe can be made in bulk and kept in the freezer in order to use for weeks (or months) at a time to fill up your meal plan.
If you don’t own a smoker, no worries! You can also make pulled pork using a Crock Pot (slow cooker on low for 8 hours), and then shredding the meat, or you can make it in the Instant Pot by following this recipe here.
You could also borrow a friend’s smoker and make a large batch to share and freeze. I also noticed in our church bulletin this weekend that the Knights of Columbus (Men’s group) is offering to smoke meat for people over the July 4th weekend for donations, which I thought was interesting! Maybe there’s a service like this nearby that you can take advantage of.

No matter how you cook your pulled pork, you can be sure that it will make for a crowd pleasing, delicious family weeknight meal.

Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe Ideas

Once you’ve cooked up a huge batch of pulled pork on your Traeger smoker, you can feed your family and friends a variety of delicious recipes! I’m a huge fan of batch cooking food and storing it for later so you can cook less, and still use up all of your leftovers for a variety of different meals.

Make sure you use the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post so you can keep this recipe on hand to make often and stock your fridge and freezer with pulled pork to use in all of your recipes.

Use your smoked pulled pork to make:

Tacos
Burritos
Nachos
Sliders
Quesadillas
Pork Sandwiches
And so much more!

As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to recipes you can make with your Traeger smoked pulled pork. And, since this dish is so easy to prepare, you’ll be able to whip up a tasty meal in no time at all.

So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Equipment Needed for Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe

In order to make this recipe, you’ll need a few pieces of equipment.

First, you’ll need a Traeger smoker. If you don’t own one, you can also use a Crock Pot (slow cooker on low for 8 hours), and then shred the meat, or you could even make it in the Instant Pot by following this recipe here.

You’ll also need a meat thermometer in order to ensure that your pork is cooked through. I like to use this digital meat thermometer because it’s easy to read and very accurate.

You will also need tin foil, and a spray bottle filled with apple cider vinegar or apple juice.

Finally, you’ll need a large cutting board and a sharp knife or “bear claws” for shredding the pork once it’s cooked.

What Makes Pulled Pork so Good in a Smoker?

Pulled pork is one of the most popular items to cook in a smoker because it’s relatively easy to prepare, and the results are simply amazing.

Smoked meat has a unique flavor that you just can’t get from cooking pork in any other way. When you smoke meat, the fat renders out and infuses the meat with flavor.

In addition, the smoke from the wood chips permeates the meat and gives it a delicious smoky flavor.

And, of course, let’s not forget the fact that smoking meat also happens to be one of the best ways to tenderize meat. So, if you’re looking for a dish that is both flavorful and tender, pulled pork is the way to go.

Ingredients Needed for Traeger Pulled Pork

10-Pound Pork Butt (AKA Boston Butt), thawed (or boneless Pork Shoulder)
½ Cup Paprika
¼ Cup Salt
¼ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
¼ Cup Black Pepper
2 Tablespoons White Sugar
2 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Optional: barbecue sauce or hot sauce, brown sugar, chili powder or favorite dry rub.

How to Make Traeger Pulled Pork (Step by Step Instructions)

Important: This recipe takes time and patience to make, but it will be well worth the wait! Make sure you start early, so you can enjoy the cooking process. It will take about 5-7 hours depending on the size of the pork butt.

Step 1: Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees.

Step 2: Place the pork butt on a baking sheet or clean surface and lather the entire thing, top to bottom, with olive oil.

Step 3: Combine the garlic powder, sugar, paprika, pepper, and salt in a medium bowl and mix well.

Step 4: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture of the entire pork butt and be sure it’s rubbed in and covered evenly.

Step 5: Place the apple cider vinegar in the spray bottle and keep it near your smoker.

Step 6: Place the pork on the smoker and smoke it for about 5-7 hours at 225 degrees or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees in the thickest portion.

Step 7: Every hour, spritz it with the apple cider vinegar.

Step 8: Once it reaches 165 degrees, wrap the pork tightly in tin foil and place it back on the smoker for about 3-4 hours or until it reaches 205 degrees in the thickest part of the meat.

Step 9: Pull the meat out, still covered, and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour or until it’s cool enough to handle.

Step 10: Unwrap the meat and place it in a large pan or container you can tear it apart in.

Step 11: Using the Bear Claws or whatever utensil you prefer, shred the pulled pork, keeping it in the juices from the tin foil. You can trim excess fat as if you notice large chunks while you are shredding the pulled pork. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Perfect Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork

The key to making this recipe perfectly is to let the pork smoke for the full amount of time, even if it seems like it’s getting dark. The darker it gets, the better!

If you don’t have a spray bottle, you can just pour the apple cider vinegar directly on the pork butt.

Be sure to wrap the pork butt tightly in the foil. You don’t want any of the juices to escape! The foil not only helps to keep the juices in, and it also allows the pork to continue cooking in its own heat, making it even more tender.

If you want to add a little bit more flavor to your pulled pork, try adding some BBQ sauce or yellow mustard to it before serving.

Leftover pulled pork can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheat leftovers in the oven, on the stove, or in the microwave.

How to Reheat Leftover Pulled Pork

There are a few different ways you can reheat your pulled pork so that it tastes just as good as when you first made it.

The best way to reheat pulled pork is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and place the pulled pork on a baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with foil and heat for about 25 minutes or until the pork is heated through.

Another way to reheat pulled pork is on the stove. Place the pulled pork in a skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pork is heated through.

You can also reheat pulled pork in the microwave. Place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes or until the pork is heated through.

Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork Tips for Beginners

If you’ve never smoked meat before, pulled pork is a great place to start. It’s relatively easy to make and the results are always fantastic. Once you taste that delicious smoke flavor from the wood pellets, you’ll never want to use another pork butt recipe again!

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

1. Make sure your pork butt is completely thawed before you begin cooking it. You don’t want any ice crystals in the meat as they will make it tough.

2. Season the pork butt generously with your rub. The more flavor you can get on there, the better!

3. When smoking the pork, be sure to keep an eye on it and spray it down with apple cider vinegar every hour or so. This will help to keep it moist and prevent it from drying out.

4. Once the pork is cooked, let it rest for at least 30 minutes before shredding it. This will help to ensure that all of the juices stay in the meat.

5. And finally, don’t be afraid to experiment! Pulled pork is a great canvas for trying out new flavors. So, don’t be afraid to add a little bit of this or that to your rub or BBQ sauce. Have fun and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make this recipe in the Crock Pot or Instant Pot?

A: Yes! If you want to make this recipe in the Crock Pot, cook the pork on low for 8 hours. If you want to make it in the Instant Pot, follow this recipe here.

Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

A: Yes! This recipe can easily be made ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat it.

Q: What can I make with pulled pork?

A: Pulled pork is delicious served on a sandwich with coleslaw and BBQ sauce, or you could try it one of these easy recipes using leftover pulled pork.

Q: How long does this recipe take to make?

A: This recipe takes about 5-7 hours, so you’ll want to prepare and start cooking ahead of time.

Q: Do I have to use a particular kind of pork for this recipe?

A: You can use either a pork butt or pork shoulder for this recipe. Both cuts of pork are relatively tough, so they’ll benefit from the long cook time in the smoker. You can smoke pork tenderloin on a traeger smoker, but you won’t need to cook it quite as long because it’s usually much smaller.

What Side Dishes to Serve with Traeger Pulled Pork Recipe

When I think of smoked pulled pork, I definitely think of backyard barbecues and big family meals! That being said, there are quite a few delicious side dishes you can add to your meal plan for the perfect outdoor meal in your own backyard.

Add a foil pan filled with delicious baked beans, and a huge bowl of coleslaw. Don’t forget to serve with a side of fresh summer fruit like watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries.

Another fun backyard bbq food essential is good ol’ fashioned mac and cheese! This Chick Fil A mac and cheese copycat recipe is perfect on the side of your pulled pork dish. Go ahead and whip up a batch of these copycat Chick Fil A nuggets while you’re at it, if you know the kids won’t venture out for the main course!

Serve with ice cold root beer or your favorite adult beverage! A large batch of sweet tea or lemonade would also be the perfect addition to a big backyard gathering or family party outdoors.

Don’t forget about dessert! You’ll love this patriotic s’mores bark after you’ve enjoyed your delicious pork.

Tips to make this Traeger Smoked Pulled Pork recipe more frugal

Anytime you can pull out your home chef skills, you’re already saving a lot of money! Cooking at home more often is such a money saver, and when you have the best smoked pulled pork recipe, you can be sure that your family will even gobble up ALL the leftovers!

In order to save money on your pulled pork recipes, you can:

Buy meat in bulk and freeze the meat before or after cooking
Shop meat clearance items and freeze for when you need it
Store leftovers and use them in new and fun recipes

If you don’t have a smoker:

Borrow one from a friend
Make recipe in slow cooker or Instant Pot

Shopping List

10-Pound Pork Butt (approx $20-$25)
Paprika
Salt
Apple Cider Vinegar
Black Pepper
White Sugar
Garlic Powder
Olive Oil
favorite bbq sauce

Estimated cost of this meal: If you have the pantry items (salt, sugar, etc) this meal will be pretty frugal! A 10 lb pork butt will create several meals for a large family.

Where to Buy a Traeger Smoker

You can find Traeger smokers on Amazon, or you could check your local hardware store.

What other Traeger recipes can you make with your smoker?

Traeger smokers are expensive, but they can be a good investment if you like to cook outdoors! Some other great foods that you can make in a Traeger include smoked chicken wings, smoked ribs, smoked salmon, and smoked turkey breast!

Once you get this pulled pork recipe down, you’ll be sure to fall in love with your Traeger smoker, and want to use it to make all kinds of new and fun recipes!

Conclusion

This Traeger smoked pulled pork recipe is so easy to make and produces juicy, flavorful meat that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it up for a casual get-together or a more formal event, your guests are sure to be impressed. And with just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you’ll be able to whip up a tasty meal that can be used to create several different recipes!

So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!

Yield: 15-20 servings