Food Guide

The Ultimate Showdown: Pork Shoulder vs Boston Butt – Find Out Which Is Better!

It may seem like a difficult decision- pork shoulder vs Boston butt.

Which one is better for you and your family?

You start to consider what type of meat would be best for your dinner when you realize that you can’t remember the difference between pork shoulder and Boston butt. 

This blog post will provide information about the similarities and differences between them so you can make the right decision for your menus.

What is special about pork shoulder?

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Pork shoulder is a cut of meat from the front leg of the pig.

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 is special about Boston butt?

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Butts are the cut of pork that comes from the upper part of a pig’s rear, and they’re given this name because they look like butts.

Boston butt is also called Boston roast or pork shoulder roast.

It is well-known for being used in pulled pork sandwiches, and it’s even considered by some to be a delicacy!

Boston butt has a lot going for it: it cooks up tenderly and can handle long cooking times without drying out, as well as often having an excellent ratio between fat and meat.

What are the differences between pork shoulder vs Boston butt?

What are the differences between pork shoulder vs Boston butt?

Which cut should I buy?

Pork butts vs shoulders: Which one’s right for me?

This table will show you. 

 Pork shoulderBoston butt
Texture– A part of the pig’s upper arm and lower back
– Pork shoulder has more fat and connective tissue than Boston butt, which means it will take longer to cook.
– Comes from the animal’s shoulder.
– Boston butt has less fat than.
Cooking methodPork shoulder requires longer cooking times to break down its collagen and make it tender.Boston butt takes less time to cook.
ServingPork shoulder can be used in pulled pork sandwiches or as a roast with vegetables on top for dinner.Boston butt can be used in BBQ sauce or smoked until crispy.
PricePork shoulders are usually cheaper than Boston butts because they’re less popular cuts of meat.More expensive

What are the similarities between pork shoulder vs Boston butt?

1. Pork shoulder and Boston butt are both cuts of pork

Pork is one of the most popular meats in America, but it’s not always easy to know what part you’re eating.

Pork shoulder and pork butt are both cuts that come from a pig’s back legs.

But they have slight differences in taste and texture because each cut needs different preparation methods for cooking!

2. Both are great for pulled pork sandwiches, but you’ll need to cook them differently depending on which cut you choose 

Pork shoulder and Boston butt are great for pulled pork sandwiches, but the way you cook them will depend on which one you choose.

For a Boston Butt sandwich, it’s best to braise your meat in liquid over low heat before adding barbecue sauce or other flavors.

For a delicious Pulled Pork Sandwich with lots of flavors add BBQ Sauce after cooking

3. Both cuts are considered to be very flavorful but have different textures

Pork shoulder and Boston butt are flavorful but have different textures.

The pork’s flavor is usually stronger than the Boston butt and can be used to make BBQ with a tangy sauce.

Which one is better?

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Product ImagePork Shoulder Butt Roast Boneless Step 1Pat LaFrieda Pork Butt Steak Boneless, .75 lb
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These two cuts of pork are cut from the same part of the pig, but they’re not exactly alike.

Pork shoulder is leaner and has more fat than Boston butt on average, so it’ll have a slightly different flavor depending on how you prepare it.

You can now make the right decision for your menus with a little bit of knowledge about what type of meat is best for you and your family.

The best way to decide between them? It all depends on what your needs are.

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Emily W.

Emily Wong is an Asian-American food writer the founder of Cookindocs.com. With nearly 8 years of experience, she has a passion for making cooking accessible to everyone and sharing her personal experiences with food. Emily's vision for Cookindocs.com is to create a community of food lovers who are passionate about cooking, eating, and sharing their experiences with others. Read my story
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