What Is the Ideal Pulled Pork Temperature?

Pulled pork is made from pork shoulder or Boston butt, tough cuts that need to be cooked slowly for a pretty long period to break down connective tissues. In the process of cooking the pork, the collagen will turn into gelatin, resulting in the tender and juicy texture that pulled pork is known for. Temperature is a key consideration in all of this, and for the most delectable pulled pork, the idea is low and slow, often in a smoker or barbecue pit. But how do you know if it’s done? Well, that is where understanding the correct temperature of pulled pork comes in handy.

What Temperature Is Pulled Pork Done?

Pork is considered safe to eat at 145°F (about 63°C), according to USDA. However, the perfect internal pulled pork temperature ranges from 195°F to 205°F, which translates to 90° C to 96° C. At this temperature, the pork should be tender enough to shred easily with a fork but not so hot to dry out. Cooking pulled pork at such a temperature ensures it gets well done, and collagen melts into that perfect texture. Here’s a pulled pork temperature chart:

When you smoke pulled pork, the smoker’s temperature also plays a crucial role in achieving tender, flavorful meat. Here’s a guide to the idea pulled pork smoker temperature:

Smoker Temperature Range: 225°F to 250°F (107°C to 121°C) This is the most common temperature range for smoking pork shoulders or pork butts. Smoking at this low and slow temperature allows the pork to be cooked evenly, break down the collagen, and develop a rich smoky flavor.

Smoking Times: Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per pound Keep your smoker temperature steady and low, and you can achieve the best results for tender and flavorful pulled pork.

Monitor the Pulled Pork Internal Temperature during Cooking

You need to monitor the internal temperature of the pulled pork while cooking to avoid overcooking or undercooking. Using a good meat thermometer, it can be quite an easy task. For that, you can use the ThermoPro TP972 Twin TempSpike Plus 600FT Wireless Meat Thermometer. With a dual-probe feature, you can monitor both the temperature of the pork and the smoker simultaneously. Besides, its wireless range is up to 600 feet, suitable for taking temperatures without having to hang over the smoke for hours.

Key Features of the ThermoPro TP972:

• Accuracy: The TP972 yields highly accurate results in temperature readings with a variance of less than ±1.8°F to let you know when your pulled pork reaches its proper internal temperature.
• Wireless Connectivity: The wireless long-range connection goes up to 600 feet, allowing to monitor your pulled pork from practically anywhere around the house. This is especially handy when smoking pork for hours and allows you to focus on more tasks.
• Dual-Probe Design: With this meat thermometer setting in the pork, two probes-monitoring the temperature of your pork and smoker simultaneously. This dual-probe system will ensure both your meat and the ambient atmosphere maintain the perfect range.
• App Control: You can monitor the temperature in real-time using a smartphone  app and set an alarm for target temperatures, while you are even able to receive notifications when your pulled pork reaches that perfect temperature.