A Boston butt roast covered with spicy mustard and a savory rub is slow-smoked until it pulls apart easily in this crowd-pleasing recipe.
Preparation Time
30 mins
Cooking Time
4 hr 5 mins
Total Time
4 hr 35 mins
Calories
700 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Mix brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, seasoned salt, black pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl to make dry rub.
Step 2
Coat roast with spicy brown mustard. Sprinkle dry rub all over roast and work it into all the folds and creases.
Step 3
Combine pickle juice and olive oil in a small bowl.
Step 4
Remove roast from smoker and wrap with aluminum foil. Let rest, about 30 minutes.
Step 5
Uncover roast and cut into chunks. Shred chunks into small strands; transfer to a large bowl. Squeeze strands with both hands repeatedly, mixing after each squeeze.
Step 6
Preheat 5 pounds charcoal in a smoker according to manufacturer's instructions until white and flaming. Distribute 7 to 8 large wood chunks over the coals. Place a drip pan on top; pour in beer and enough water to fill the pan most of the way. Close smoker; bring liquid in the drip pan to a boil. Place roast on top and close smoker.
Step 7
Smoke roast, turning every hour, until browned, about 2 hours, adding wood chunks as needed to maintain the temperature at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Baste roast with pickle juice and olive mixture. Continue smoking, turning, and basting every hour, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center reads 175 degrees F (80 degrees C), 2 to 3 hours more.
