¶ Kitchen toolsFree · No sign-up

Pulled Pork and Pork Shoulder Temperature

Safe minimum vs. texture · Updated October 19, 2026

To pull apart

170°F (77°C)

Pork shoulder is safe at 145°F (63°C), but it won't shred yet. The National Pork Board says to cook shoulder to 170°F (77°C) for pull-apart pork, and to 185°F to 190°F when smoking, when the bone slips out easily.

Doneness
Take it off the heat at
170°F
Pulls apart (slow cooker), final
170°F
Food safety minimum
145°F
Then rest 3 minutes

Shoulder is safe at 145°F. The higher temperatures are for texture, so the meat pulls apart.

Safe minimum: USDA FSIS. Pulls apart (slow cooker): National Pork Board.

Pork temperature chart

USDA safe minimum internal temperatures for pork, measured in the thickest part with a food thermometer.

Cut°F°CRest
Pork chops145°F63°C3 min
Pork tenderloin145°F63°C3 min
Pork loin roast145°F63°C3 min
Pork shoulder (pulled pork)145°F63°C3 min
Ribs145°F63°C3 min
Ground pork and sausage160°F71°C—

Safe temperature vs. pulling temperature

Shoulder (also sold as Boston butt or picnic) is a whole cut, so USDA's minimum is the same as for chops: 145°F with a 3-minute rest. At 145°F it's safe to eat. The National Pork Board's targets for shredding are much higher, and they are about texture, not safety.

Pork shoulder temperatures from the National Pork Board

  • 170°F: the Pork Board's target for pull-apart shoulder, including in a slow cooker.
  • 180°F: its cooking temperature chart says ribs, shoulder and cutlets are "best enjoyed" here.
  • 185°F to 190°F: its smoking guide's target for pork butt, picnic or whole shoulder, when the bone slips easily from the meat.

We couldn't find a primary source for the 195°F to 205°F range often quoted in barbecue recipes, so it isn't listed here.

How long to cook a pork shoulder

Smoked: the National Pork Board estimates about 1 hour 15 minutes per pound. Slow cooker: 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high, then rest 10 to 15 minutes before shredding. Times vary with the cut and your cooker, so finish by temperature.

Smoking pork shoulder on a pellet grill

Smoking a shoulder low and slow is what pellet smokers do best: the Weber SmokeFire EX4 held a 10-hour pork shoulder steady, the Traeger Ironwood XL has room for big batches, and the Pit Boss 440 Deluxe is the budget pick for smaller families. Our best pellet smokers guide compares them. Leave a probe in the thickest part of the shoulder, away from the bone, for the whole cook.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature do you pull pork shoulder off the smoker?

The National Pork Board says to smoke pork butt or shoulder to an internal temperature of 185°F to 190°F, when the bone slips out easily.

Is pork shoulder safe at 145°F?

Yes. USDA's minimum for whole cuts of pork, including shoulder, is 145°F with a 3-minute rest. It just won't be tender enough to pull.

What temperature is pulled pork done in a slow cooker?

170°F, according to the National Pork Board, usually after 6 to 8 hours on low.

The full meat temperature chart has every USDA safe minimum and the doneness temperatures for beef, lamb and pork. Once it's cooked, the food storage chart shows how long leftovers keep in the fridge and freezer.

Sources

Checked October 19, 2026.