Pork / Cook pork butt and Knox's Dry Rub

Any time we have to write about pork butt it makes me snicker. The fact that it is inevitable that there will be discussion about rubbing a butt, brings out the juvenile humor in everybody.

Is a pork butt what I think it is?

If you think a butt roast comes from a pigs behind, you would be in the majority but wrong. The cut of meat we know as "Butt" and responsible for the Butt Steak is from the other end of the pig. It is part of the shoulder, in the front of the pig.

As far as we can gather, when a pig is butchered the front legs are removed with the shoulder muscle attached. One end of the shoulder is thick and commonly called the "Butt". This is the part that is cut off and sold as a roast or cut into steaks. it sold as a pork butt, shoulder roast or Boston butt.

Chipotle BBQ $5.75

Rubbed & Roasted Pork Butt

• 2 pork butts, about 4 pounds each, untrimmed
• Knox's Chipotle BBQ dry rub or your own dry rub
• BBQ Sauce

Prepare the coals for the grill by creating a pyramid of briquettes and lighting. Once they are almost evenly gray and really hot move them to one side of your grill. This will allow you to grill your pork butt over indirect heat.

Season the butt with Knox's Chipotle BBQ rub or you own seasoning. It is important to thoroughly rub Knox's dry rub (or your own) into the roast. This will infuse the flavor directly into the roast and aid in sealing in the natural moisture. A properly rubbed butt is surely a thing of beauty and needs to be taken seriously. Rubbing, as it infuses flavor, is also aiding in breaking down the herbs and spices in the dry rub and releasing flavor.

When the coals are ready, place the butts in your grill over the opposite side from the coals. Place them with the fat side up if you have this option. Your pork butt should not be exposed to flame, ever. Cover your grill and slightly open the top and bottom vent. Slowly grill for about 6 - 8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 160 F. You can baste the roast with during the last 15 minutes with your BBQ sauce if you like. MMmmMMMmmm!

Let the pork butt roast rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting. For optimum results wrap the pork butt in foil and place in a cooler with balled up news paper in it. Let it slow rest for 30 minutes. Don't worry it will still be hot when you take it out. This allows the juices in the meat to redistribute so they do not leak out when you cut into it. Your pork butt will be much more moist for this. Sometimes we will let a pork butt rest for an hour or longer depending on the size. Warm up your BBQ sauce before serving.

Safe Pork Butt Roast Cooking

The USDA, as of August, 2011, posted minimum cooking temperature for pork as 145 degrees. This internal temperature creates a medium roast and is the least well done that can be accomplished and still be safe.

In a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven, you should expect to cook for 35 to 40 minutes per pound to reach an internal temperature of 160°. You will want to check a 4.5 lb. butt roast after about 2-1/2 hours.

Always let meat "Rest", covered for 15 or 30 minutes or more before cutting. DO NOT cut into meat to check for doneness. Waiting allows the moisture in the meat to redistribute. If you cut into meat hot off the grill the juice will leak out and make it less succulent.

Things to do with pork butt: