Whether you’re crafting a tasty smoked pulled pork recipe or slow-roasting a braised pork dish, this flavorful pork butt injection recipe will give you juicy, tender meat every time.

Pork Butt Injection Recipe: How to Make a Pork Butt Injection

[Pork butt](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-smoke-pork-butt-pork-shoulder-with-barbeque-pitmaster-aaron-franklin), also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder, is a cut of meat from the upper portion of a pig’s front shoulder. The muscle in this area has a lot of connective tissue that benefits from a low-heat, slow cook time. It also has plenty of excess fat, making the meat less prone to drying out, even at higher temperatures.

Pork butt is a relatively inexpensive and forgiving hunk of meat that many chefs use for [pulled pork.](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pulled-pork-recipe)
A pork butt injection is a marinade consisting of flavorful liquids and seasonings that home cooks inject into the meat (pork butt) with a meat syringe prior to cooking. This injection keeps the pork juicy and prevents it from drying out during the cooking process, whether you’re braising, [smoking](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-meat-smoking-learn-how-to-smoke-meat-and-make-texas-style-bbq-smoked-meats), or using another slow-cooking method.
Home cooks of all levels—from BBQ pitmasters to grill novices— will be able to craft an injection marinade for any pork butt recipe. Whether you’re making a smoked pork sandwich with potato buns and coleslaw or experimenting with [pork roasts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-a-perfect-pot-roast), follow these tips to make the best pork injection possible: 

1. __Experiment with seasonings__. The ingredient combinations for a pork butt injection are endless. Add different liquids like apple cider vinegar, apple cider, BBQ sauce, or [Worcestershire sauce](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe). Sprinkle in spices like cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and celery salt. Add herbs like dried thyme. Make sure that the flavors in your injection complement the flavors of your [dry rub](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dry-rub-smoked-ribs). 
2. __Use finely ground spices__. When preparing your injection, only use finely ground spices and dried herbs because large flakes of herbs or spices can clog the injection needle.
3. __Make in advance__. Craft your pork butt injection solution in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. 
4. __Apply liberally__. Liberally inject the injection mixture throughout the top, bottom, and sides of the meat. The more injections, the juicier your cooked pork will be.
Whether you’re crafting a tasty smoked pulled pork recipe or slow-roasting a braised pork dish, this flavorful pork butt injection recipe will give you juicy, tender meat every time.

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-smoke-pork-butt-pork-shoulder-with-barbeque-pitmaster-aaron-franklin' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-smoke-pork-butt-pork-shoulder-with-barbeque-pitmaster-aaron-franklin","linkCopy":"Pork butt","category":null}'>Pork butt</a>, also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder, is a cut of meat from the upper portion of a pig’s front shoulder. The muscle in this area has a lot of connective tissue that benefits from a low-heat, slow cook time. It also has plenty of excess fat, making the meat less prone to drying out, even at higher temperatures.Pork butt is a relatively inexpensive and forgiving hunk of meat that many chefs use for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pulled-pork-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pulled-pork-recipe","linkCopy":"pulled pork.","category":null}'>pulled pork.</a>

What Is Pork Butt?

A pork butt injection is a marinade consisting of flavorful liquids and seasonings that home cooks inject into the meat (pork butt) with a meat syringe prior to cooking. This injection keeps the pork juicy and prevents it from drying out during the cooking process, whether you’re braising, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-meat-smoking-learn-how-to-smoke-meat-and-make-texas-style-bbq-smoked-meats' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-meat-smoking-learn-how-to-smoke-meat-and-make-texas-style-bbq-smoked-meats","linkCopy":"smoking","category":null}'>smoking</a>, or using another slow-cooking method.

 What Is a Pork Butt Injection?

Home cooks of all levels—from BBQ pitmasters to grill novices— will be able to craft an injection marinade for any pork butt recipe. Whether you’re making a smoked pork sandwich with potato buns and coleslaw or experimenting with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-a-perfect-pot-roast' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-a-perfect-pot-roast","linkCopy":"pork roasts","category":null}'>pork roasts</a>, follow these tips to make the best pork injection possible: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Experiment with seasonings. The ingredient combinations for a pork butt injection are endless. Add different liquids like apple cider vinegar, apple cider, BBQ sauce, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/worcestershire-sauce-recipe","linkCopy":"Worcestershire sauce","category":null}'>Worcestershire sauce</a>. Sprinkle in spices like cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and celery salt. Add herbs like dried thyme. Make sure that the flavors in your injection complement the flavors of your <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dry-rub-smoked-ribs' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/dry-rub-smoked-ribs","linkCopy":"dry rub","category":null}'>dry rub</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Use finely ground spices. When preparing your injection, only use finely ground spices and dried herbs because large flakes of herbs or spices can clog the injection needle. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Make in advance. Craft your pork butt injection solution in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Apply liberally. Liberally inject the injection mixture throughout the top, bottom, and sides of the meat. The more injections, the juicier your cooked pork will be. </li></ol>

4 Tips for Making a Pork Butt Injection

Basic Pork Butt Injection Recipe 

Whether you’re crafting a tasty smoked pulled pork recipe or slow-roasting a braised pork dish, this flavorful pork butt injection recipe will give you juicy, tender meat every time.

Whether you’re crafting a tasty smoked pulled pork recipe or slow-roasting a braised pork dish, this flavorful pork butt injection recipe will give you juicy, tender meat every time.
