Pork Butt Vs Pork Shoulder And Why You Should Be Cooking It Now.

Pork butt and pork shoulder are two different cuts of meat, but they’re often used interchangeably.
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They may look the same in some cases, but there is a difference between them.
Pork shoulder is leaner than pork butt and has more connective tissue.
If you have ever wondered what the difference is between pork butt and pork shoulder, then this blog post is for you!
We’re going to explain these cuts of meat so that you’ll know how to pick out and cook them.
What is special about pork butt?
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Pork butt is a cut of meat that comes from the upper front leg of the pig.
It is used for pulled pork sandwiches, bacon and other cured meats.
What makes this cut special?
The fat content!
Pork Butt has more fat than any other part of the animal because it’s up on its back legs all day long.
That means it can be smoked or barbecued to perfection without drying out as much as some cuts do.
What is special about pork shoulder?
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Pork shoulder is a cut of meat from the front leg of the pig.
If you have ever heard about “pulled pork” that’s what it is!
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Pork shoulder can be roasted, smoked, braised or barbecued to make some delicious dishes.
It has a lot more fat in the meat than other cuts so it often has to be cooked low and slow for hours at a time to keep it moist and tender.
Pork shoulder has a lot of fat in it which makes it incredibly flavorful when cooked on low heat for hours.
The high fat content also means that pork shoulder won’t dry out or turn tough like other cuts do when cooked without any oil or fats on medium-high heat.
What are the differences between pork butt vs pork shoulder?
Pork butt and pork shoulder are two different cuts of meat.
The main difference between the two is where they come from on the pig, so it’s important to know what part you’re cooking before picking one over another.
Let’s explore the table below:
Pork butt | Pork shoulder | |
Texture | – A cut of meat from the upper part of the pig’s shoulder – Pork butt is the part of the pig that includes more fat | – Comes from the lower part of the pig’s shoulder – Pork shoulder has less fat than |
Cooking method | Pork butt will take longer to cook than pork shoulder because it has more fat and connective tissue that needs to break down before being tender enough to eat | Pork shoulder can be cooked in a slow cooker |
Serving | Cooked pork butt can be shredded to make pulled pork sandwiches or barbecue | Cooked pork shoulder is typically sliced for use in dishes like pulled BBQ chicken salad |
Price | Pork butt is more expensive because it has less connective tissue. | Pork shoulder is typically cheaper |
What are the similarities between pork butt vs pork shoulder?
1. Both cuts are great for barbecue or grilling with a dry rub or sauce
The difference between a pork butt and a shoulder can be difficult to understand.
But, there are many uses for both cuts of meat that will change the taste dramatically dependent on what cooking process you choose.
Pork shoulders are best when grilled or smoked with dry rubs and sauces while pork butts require longer cook times so they come out tender enough to eat without chewing much; it’s perfect for barbecuing.
2. You can also use both cuts in dishes like pulled pork sandwiches or tacos with your favorite toppings
Pulled pork is a great dish to make.
It’s made with pork butt and shoulder, which are both inexpensive cuts of meat that pack lots of flavor.
You can use this in tacos or sandwiches by topping them off the way you like!
3. Both cuts are great for making carnitas or chile verde (pork stew) as well as other Mexican-style dishes that require long cooking times
Pork butt and pork shoulder are great for making carnitas or chile verde (pork stew) as well as other Mexican-style dishes that require long cooking times.
The meat is mostly used in these types of recipes because it has a good amount of fat, which makes the dish richer tasting too!
Which one is better?
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Pork butt and pork shoulder may look the same but they are two different cuts of meat.
They may look the same in some cases, but there is a difference between them.
When you’re out shopping at your local grocery store next time, make sure you know what cut of meat you want before buying!
We hope that by reading this post you’ll know how to pick out and cook either cut of meat–or both if desired!
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