Pork / Butt rub, I mean pork butt 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.

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.

Rubbed & Roasted Pork Butt

• 2 pork butts, about 4 pounds each, untrimmed
• Knox's Chipotle BBQ dry rub or your own dry butt 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 butts over indirect heat.

Season the butt with Knox's Chipotle BBQ rub or you own seasoning. It is impotant 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 spipces 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 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 barbecue sauce if you like. MMmmMMMmmm!

Let the roast rest for 5 or so minutes before cutting.

Safe Pork Butt Roast Cooking

You should cook you roast until your meat thermometer registers160°F (70°C) when inserted into the thickest part of the roast, says the USDA. 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" for 8 or 10 minutes 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: