Injecting Buts

[AikenSmoker]

I feel fairly good about my bark treatements but I am interested in what everyone thinks regarding injections for boston buts. What do you like to inject and does it vary depending on what is on the bark? Do you aim for certain pockets or just put a big shot in the middle? Any other thoughts?

 

[sparky]

i use to inject butt. i used the kid's beer, apple juice, apple cider vin, rub. i also used andy and kim's SOW pork marinade. good stuff. i also found that alot of the time i would get mushy spots in the butt w/ injections. i don't inject anymore. comes out perfect every time.

 

[Pappymn]

Trying injection for the first time tonight on a ten pound bone in butt. First butt I did (his is my second) I did not inject. Came out awesome.

 

[TentHunter]

If you don't foil, then injecting is a good way to get more flavor into the meat.

But like Sparky, I don't bother injecting anymore. I get lots of juices from foiling and always mix some of it in with the pulled meat so it has lots of flavor all throughout anyway.

 

[RickB]

I feel fairly good about my bark treatements but I am interested in what everyone thinks regarding injections for boston buts. What do you like to inject and does it vary depending on what is on the bark? Do you aim for certain pockets or just put a big shot in the middle? Any other thoughts?

If your going to inject a little all over. Many injectiions. Personaly I don't inject. Butt's are already moist enough.

 

[AikenSmoker]

Thanks for the comments. I can see the idea of adding back at the end is probably more predictable than trying to inject up front. Too late for the two in the 300 right now but I also wanted extra heat in the "angry but" and injected some heat.

 

[muebe]

I don't inject either. Butts have plenty of moisture and you can always add a raspberry bourbon sauce in after you pull it

 

[sparky]

you can always add a raspberry bourbon sauce in after you pull it

do tell. i would like to know about this raspberry bourbon sauce. two of my favorite things.

 

[Moomtaz]

I always inject because I never wrap. I just don't like the consistency of the bark after foiling. Even when I rest it I don't wrap it tight. Instead, I place it in a pan and loosely tent it. My injections usually contain apple juice, water, brown sugar, kosher salt, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Also, to answer your question more fully, I inject in several locations. About every one to two inches, much like you would a brisket. This is my favorite way, but many others forego the injection. Most of those people wrap, though. Try both ways in a single session (two butts, one injected one not), and do it multiple times. That way you can find your favorite method regardless of other conditions, like varying temperatures.

Just thought of something else...I always use bone in butts, don't know if that would make a difference or not.

 

[muebe]

do tell. i would like to know about this raspberry bourbon sauce. two of my favorite things.

3/4 cup fresh/frozen raspberries
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons whipping cream
2 tablespoons bourbon
Pinch of salt

Blend raspberries in a food processor or blender with the whipping cream until smooth in texture. Then melt the butter in a sauce pan and mix in the brown sugar, bourbon, salt, and raspberries. Whisk over medium heat for about 3 minutes. Let it cool.

 

[HoDeDo]

I inject about 1 oz per pound, and inject all over. small shots "against the grain" of the muscle I am shooting into. The injectate make a nice thin glue as well as some leaks back out. I definitely do it for flavor, but I also wrap with about 1/3 cup of injection to braise with also. I don't typically pull the pork, so any sauce, etc. after cooking is for a quick hit flavor to pair with the meat. I like to slice my pork.
Never mushy, and usually moist and succulent that way That sauce sounds interesting, Muebe! I'll have to try that!