Traeger Pull Apart Pork Shoulder Recipe on the Pellet Smoker

If you want to showcase what your Traeger can really do, nothing beats a smoked Pull Apart Pork Shoulder. Cooked low and slow on the Traeger Timberline XL, this pork shoulder comes out tender, juicy, and loaded with wood-fired flavor. From the Super Smoke setting to the perfect resting process (and even reheating the next day), this recipe is built to deliver melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that’s worthy of any backyard BBQ.

In this Traeger recipe, I’ll cover:

• Why Traeger smoked pork shoulder is the perfect BBQ centerpiece
• The simple ingredients you’ll need
• The best Traeger wood pellets for pork
• Step-by-step instructions for cooking and reheating on the Traeger
• Pro tips, FAQs, and final thoughts

Let’s get started!

Why Make Traeger Pull Apart Pork Shoulder?

This cut is made for the Traeger pellet grill. The consistent temperature control and wood-fired smoke give you results you just can’t get in an oven. By the end, you’ve got a shoulder that shreds effortlessly and tastes like BBQ heaven.

• Traeger-Perfect Cut – Pork shoulder loves long cooks at steady heat.
• Feeds a Crowd – One shoulder easily serves family and friends.
• Wood-Fired Flavor – Traeger pellets add the perfect balance of smoke and sweetness.

Ingredients

Meat

• 1 bone-in pork shoulder (8–10 lbs recommended)

Produce

• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups water

Rubs & Seasonings

• Yellow mustard (binder)
• Rock’s Summer BBQ Rub (generous coating)
• Rock’s Hey Boo! Honey Rub (generous coating)

Best Traeger Wood Pellets for Pork Shoulder

• Traeger Signature Blend – Balanced mix of hickory, maple, and cherry, ideal for pork shoulder.
• Hickory – Classic BBQ smoke with bold flavor that pork can handle.
• Applewood – Adds a light, sweet smoke that works beautifully with pulled pork.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Traeger Smoked Pork Shoulder

Step 1: Prep & Preheat (20 minutes)

• Set your Traeger Timberline XL to 225°F and turn on Super Smoke.
• Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving just a thin layer of fat.
• Coat the pork shoulder with yellow mustard, then season generously with Rock’s Summer BBQ and Hey Boo! Honey Rub.
• Insert your Meater+ smart thermometer to track temps during the cook.

Step 2: Start Smoking (8 hours)

• Place the pork shoulder directly on the Traeger at 225°F with Super Smoke running.
• Every 2–3 hours, spritz with a mix of 1 part apple cider vinegar to 4 parts water.
• Continue smoking until internal temp reaches 165–170°F (about 8 hours).

Step 3: Wrap & Braise (4–5 hours)

• Transfer pork shoulder into an 8×5 aluminum pan.
• Pour a little vinegar-water mix in the bottom of the pan.
• Cover tightly with foil.
• Increase the Traeger temperature to 250°F.
• Cook another 4–5 hours until internal temp hits 203°F.

Step 4: Rest & Shred (1 hour)

• Remove from smoker and pour pan juices into a fat separator.
• Shut down your Traeger and let the pork shoulder rest (covered) for 1 hour.
• Shred into tender pulled pork with your hands or forks.

How to Reheat Pulled Pork on a Traeger

Step 1: Preheat (15 minutes)

• Set your Traeger to 350°F.
• Transfer separated juices from the fat separator into a squeeze bottle.

Step 2: Covered Reheat (20 minutes)

• Place shredded pork in an aluminum pan.
• Add some juices over the top and sprinkle with more rub.
• Cover with foil and heat for 20 minutes.

Step 3: Uncover & Mix (20 minutes)

• Remove foil, add more juices and rubs, and mix thoroughly.
• After about 40 minutes total, check that the pork is hot.

Step 4: Keep Warm

• Transfer the pan to a Yeti cooler with a blanket to hold heat until serving.

Key Steps Recap

• Preheat Traeger to 225°F with Super Smoke.
• Trim, season, and insert thermometer.
• Smoke 8 hours to 165–170°F, spritzing every few hours.
• Pan, cover, and finish at 250°F to 203°F.
• Rest 1 hour, shred, and enjoy.
• Reheat on Traeger at 350°F with juices if needed.

Pro Tips for Traeger Pulled Pork

1. Don’t Skip Super Smoke – It’s what gives Traeger pulled pork that rich BBQ flavor.
2. Spritz Lightly – A quick mist every few hours keeps bark moist without washing it away.
3. Save the Pan Juice – Use it for reheating or mixing back into shredded pork for maximum flavor.

FAQs about Traeger Pork Shoulder

Q: How long does pork shoulder take on a Traeger?
A: Expect 12–14 hours total, depending on size.

Q: Do I need to wrap the pork shoulder?
A: Yes—wrapping in foil at 165–170°F helps push it through the stall and stay juicy.

Q: Can I run my Traeger hotter to speed things up?
A: You can raise to 275°F, but you’ll sacrifice some smoke flavor and bark.

Q: What’s the best pellet for pulled pork?
A: Traeger Signature Blend is great all-around, but hickory or applewood are excellent too.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Keep pulled pork in an airtight container with pan juices in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Final Thoughts

Cooking a Traeger Pull Apart Pork Shoulder is the definition of low-and-slow BBQ done right. The Traeger Timberline XL handles steady temps, Super Smoke adds deep flavor, and the result is juicy, tender pulled pork that falls apart with a fork. Whether you’re making it fresh or reheating for the next day, it’s a show-stopper for any cookout.

Ready to try it? Fire up your Traeger, season that pork shoulder, and get ready to shred perfection.