Are you in the mood for simple pulled pork with a nostalgic kiss of smoke? If so, you’ll love my Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill! This pork cooks low and slow all day, giving it that perfect fall-apart-in-your-hands texture. The meat is seasoned with two of my favorite rubs, keeping the flavor simple yet heavenly.
My favorite way to use this pulled pork is in sandwiches, but you can use it to top nachos, mac and cheese, tacos, burritos, wraps, and even salads. The sky’s the limit! This is a great make-ahead option, as you can freeze it for months. If you’ve got time to cook low and slow, I highly recommend giving this recipe a shot. Without further ado, here’s how to make Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill.
Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill | Heath Riles BBQ
Smoking Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill gives it a hint of rich charcoal flavor, making many think of family cookouts. While pellets have their place, sometimes, you just want an excellent pork butt cooked over coals! Many use the Weber Kettle Grill to cook hot and fast, but it really shines when cooking low and slow.
I forewent the butter bath in favor of a quick drizzle of BBQ sauce, keeping the bark ultra-crisp. The result is a versatile pulled pork packed with flavor and moisture. This recipe is bound to impress friends and is an excellent addition to any cookout, game day, or family picnic.
The Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make succulent Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill.
- 1 pork butt. The title is misleading; pork butts come from the pig’s shoulder. It gets its name from an Old English word describing the “butt” of the gun or the widest part of something, which is accurate for this cut of meat! I love this cut because it’s so easy to cook. In fact, a cave man could make this recipe! My pork shoulder was about 7 pounds. Keep in mind that your cooking time may vary if your meat differs in size.
- Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Jalapeńo Rub. This is my bestselling rub; once you try it, it’s easy to see why! It features a mix of salt, pepper, and jalapeńos. Use it to top your popcorn, veggies, pork, steaks, ribs, brats, burgers, and chicken.
- Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub. This rub helped me clinch a near-perfect score at the 2022 Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest AND win ribs in the 2024 event. It features the perfect combination of sweet and savory, making ribs, roasts, chicken, and more shine!
- Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Sauce. I created this BBQ sauce with my buddies from Checkered Pig BBQ. This is another ingredient I used to win ribs in the 2024 Memphis in May World Championship BBQ Cooking Contest. It goes great with pork chops, pulled pork, chicken wings, nachos, and more!
The Smoker Setup
Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section.
- Kettle Grill. I cooked these Simple Weber Ribs on the Weber Kettle Grill. This is an excellent pick if you want a simple, sturdy setup that’s great for on-the-go cooking. Beginners love this pit because there are only a few bells or whistles to mess with. Weber produces high-quality pits that last for ages. This model is easy to store, making it perfect for small spaces. There are also a lot of fun accessories you can purchase, like the Vortex Chimney.
- Charcoal. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal. I used Royal’s new supersize charcoal and was so impressed. This charcoal doesn’t use any fillers and produces pure, clean smoke. I use them just about every time with fabulous results. I also added a few Royal Oak Tumbleweeds for good measure.
The Process for Making Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill
You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe within the recipe card and video. For now, here’s a quick rundown of how I made Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill.
- Fire up the grill. First, I placed an aluminum pan in the bottom of the pit and stoked the Weber Kettle Grill with Royal Oak Charcoal, creating a “snake” around the pan. I added a few wood chunks to the charcoal to give it some smoke.
- Prep the pork butt. I didn’t do a lot of trimming as this pork butt was nearly perfect, but I did focus on the money muscle, removing any hard pieces of fat. Everyone has their own preference for trimming, so do what works best for you!
- Add seasoning. I kept it simple and seasoned the pork butt on all sides with Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Jalapeńo Rub and Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub.
- Start smoking. Once my Weber Kettle Grill reached the 275℉-300℉ range, I put the grill rack over the charcoal and set the pork butt directly over the aluminum pan. I let the meat smoke for 5 hours, spritzing it with water every two hours. When my pork butt hit 160℉, it was time to wrap it!
- Wrap the pork butt. I removed the pork butt from the Weber Kettle Grill and placed it on a baking sheet double-lined with tin foil. Then, I drizzled a layer of Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Sauce over the top and tightly wrapped the meat.
- Finish cooking. I set the wrapped pork butt back on the pit and set a ChefAlarm for 210℉. My Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill had a cook time of about 8 hours. I took the meat off the grill and let it rest for 1 hour before unwrapping.
- Shred the meat. I used my gloved hands to shred the meat, removing any excessive pieces of fat. I placed the Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill in an aluminum pan for easy serving.
- Assemble the sandwich. I placed a scoop of meat on the bottom of a brioche bun and topped it with a drizzle of Heath Riles BBQ Tangy Vinegar BBQ Sauce, and coleslaw to assemble my pulled pork sandwich.
The Results
The pork butt had a simple and nostalgic smoke flavor, yet out of this world delicious. The combination of tangy BBQ sauce with the rich notes of Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub was a match made in heaven. This sandwich is sure to get people talking!
Serving Suggestions for Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill
The best way to eat this pulled pork is on a sandwich! Grab a pillowy brioche bun and top it with my mouthwatering Pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill. Add a drizzle of Heath Riles BBQ Tangy Vinegar BBQ Sauce, and some home fries for a delicious time.
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pulled Pork on the Weber Kettle Grill can be stored in the fridge for up to five days or frozen for up to four months. For greater longevity, it can also be vacuum-sealed.
Equipment and Tools
Weber Kettle Grill, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, baking sheet, paper towels, cutting board, heavy-duty aluminum foil, deep aluminum pans, instant-read meat thermometer, insulated gloves for handling meat.
