How to Smoke a 10lb Pork Shoulder

In this blog post, we’re going to show you how to smoke a 10lb pork shoulder. This is an easy process that will result in tender, juicy meat. So, if you’re looking for a delicious way to cook pork shoulder, read on.

Here are the steps to smoke a 10lb pork shoulder:

  1. Choose the 10lb pork shoulder 
  2. Ready for seasoning 
  3. Season and cover with foil.
  4. Prepare the pellet grill
  5. Start smoking the 10lb pork shoulder and get ready to taste

People often ask me how to smoke a pork shoulder. It’s definitely not a difficult process, but there are a few things you need to know in order to do it properly.

In this blog post, I will walk you through the steps of smoking a pork shoulder so that you can create an amazing dish that everyone will love!

Pork shoulder is a very versatile cut of meat, and it can be cooked in many different ways.

In this blog post, I will show you my favorite way to smoke a pork shoulder. So let’s get started!

Step 01: Choose the 10lb pork shoulder 

You can select any 10lb pork shoulder to cook to your taste. You will hear the words “Picnic shoulder” and “Picnic roast” in the meat shop. There are some other names to call a pork shoulder.

Alert! You will mix the pork shoulder and butt at a meat shop. How did it happen? Because both come from the shoulder of the pig, the pork butt is higher on the foreleg, while the pork shoulder is farther down.

You have to ensure that you will take home a good pork shoulder. First, look at the meat and find pinkish-red in color meat with some marbling in it.

You should know the average weight of a pork shoulder. For example, an average of 4-6lb for boneless and 6-8lb for bone-in.

So, go to the meat shop as a professor of a pork shoulder and buy 10lb pork shoulder.

Step 02: Ready for seasoning 

What do you have to do when the pork shoulder is in your kitchen first? 

First, you must rinse, dry, and trim the fat of the 10lb pork shoulder. Then apply some yellow mustard to it. You may get a question, ” Mustard? Why is that?”. 

It is a cooking technique. It will help the mixture stay on the 10lb pork shoulder. 

Now you are going to hear a cooking secret. If you can do the seasoning part a day before you go to smoke, it will help to add mouth fluttering texture to the meat.

Tools

  • A bowl
  • A large platter
  • A plastic wrap or foil
  • A pallet grill
  • A meat thermometer

Ingredients

  • 10lb pork shoulder roast
  • 1-quart apple cider, or as needed

BBQ Rub:

  • 6 tablespoons white sugar
  • 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2tablespoonsn freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 4 cups hickory chips, or more as needed, soaked in water
  • 2 onions, chopped

Step 3: Season and cover with foil.

Now you have to take a bowl to prepare the mixture. Add sugars, salt, paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.

You have to thoroughly mix the ingredients in the bowl. Then set aside.

Now you have to get ready with a pair of gloves. You are going to work on the spicy mixture.

Let’s rub the spice mixture all over the 10lb pork shoulder. It means all over. Keep in mind to apply a thick layer.

Now you can relax for 12 hours, away from the 10lb pork shoulder. Because it’s time to put it in the fridge. 

You have to wrap it using plastic wrap or foil. Then you have to put it in the fridge. It is for at least 12 hours. It will help to make a good flavor and tenderness of the dish.

Step 4: Prepare the pellet grill.

When preparing the pellet grill, don’t forget to take the 10lb pork shoulder out from the fridge. Because you have to wait until it comes to the room temperature to smoke.

Which wood should I use? Let’s find out some answers. You can use oak, apple, alder, cherry, maple, peach, or something else. The reason to use these woods to smoke the 10lb pork shoulder is that the pork and fruit go fantastic together.

First, you must check inside the pallet grill and ensure its cleanness. Then fill it with wood and start to preheat.

Now start to preheat the smoker to 210 degrees F (99 degrees C) by adding enough wood chips to the smoker. Don’t forget to close the lid while it is preheating.

Step 5: Start smoking the pork shoulder

Now your pallet grill is ready to smoke. The 10lb pork shoulder is also prepared at room temperature.

You have to smoke the 10lb pork shoulder for about 5 hours. Then you have to wrap and cook again for another 5 hours.

Put the fat cap side on the grill grate when you place the pork shoulder and close the lid.

If you start to smoke a 10lb pork shoulder at 225F, you need 10 hours to smoke. Yes, it takes around half of a day. But you will get a delicious smoked 10lb pork shoulder.

Did you know the key to cooking pork shoulder? It is to cook at a low temperature and slow. It helps break down the fat and connective tissues within the meat. 

So it will turn into something incredibly flavorful and tender. Likewise, if you follow the techniques correctly, you will have some great 10lb pork shoulder.

Don’t forget to pull when the internal temperature is between 195 and 203 degrees.

Time to taste

Now you can transfer the pork shoulder to a large platter. Before shredding with forks, wait 30 minutes until it becomes cool.

Do you think 10lb pork shoulder is enough to serve for the dinner table? No, let’s add some side dishes to make a royal look. It will also provide lots of different textures.

Pesto Spaghetti Squash, Vegan Creamed Spinach, Sweet Potato Home Fries, Green Beans and Mushrooms with Shallots and Quinoa and Avocado Side Salad are some dishes that you can add to the table with 10lb pork shoulder.

Now, everyone can eat a juicy, succulent, and deliciously cooked pork shoulder.