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Shoulder or Butt for Pulled Pork?

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ronw9471
ronw9471 Posts: 112
in EggHead Forum
Hope this is not a silly question though probably not an original one I'm sure. What's your preference?
Parrish, FL

My Photo Website: www.ronwooldridgephotography.com

XL Big Green Egg
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  • bikesAndBBQ
    bikesAndBBQ Posts: 284
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    They are the same thing if I am understanding you correctly. 
    Pittsburgh, PA. LBGE
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  • Battleborn
    Battleborn Posts: 3,359
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    It's the same thing. 
    Las Vegas, NV


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  • ColtsFan
    ColtsFan Posts: 6,342
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    Pork shoulder, Boston Butt, and Pork Butt are all the same cut, coming from the front shoulder of the hog
    ~ John - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, KJ Jr, PK Original, Ardore Pizza Oven, King Disc 
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

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  • Killit_and_Grillit
    Killit_and_Grillit Posts: 4,326
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    Oh come on @Battleborn ...

    this thread could have made my Sunday. 

    "Brought to you by bourbon, bacon, and a series of questionable life decisions."

    South of Nashville, TN

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  • Battleborn
    Battleborn Posts: 3,359
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    My apologies @Killit_and_Grillit perhaps @SGH will be along to speak on the finer points of pork anus. Then things can really get cranked up. 
    Las Vegas, NV


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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    I assume you are talking about these two cuts, opposite ends of the shoulder...
    Image result for pork shoulder vs pork butt
    I prefer the Boston butt. Can't tell the difference in taste and it's easier to trim, so more bark. Also, the bone's easier to remove when cooked.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • SciAggie
    SciAggie Posts: 6,481
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    Here's why it's called "butt" - if you believe the internet...
    http://mentalfloss.com/article/22382/how-9-cuts-meat-got-their-names
    Coleman, Texas
    Large BGE & Mini Max for the wok. A few old camp Dutch ovens and a wood fired oven. LSG 24” cabinet offset smoker. There are a few paella pans and a Patagonia cross in the barn. A curing chamber for bacterial transformation of meats...
    "Bourbon slushies. Sure you can cook on the BGE without them, but why would you?"
                                                                                                                          YukonRon
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,375
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    What follows contains more information than you will ever need or care to know about cuts of meats.  But definitely educational:
    http://swansonmeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Meat-Buyers-Guide.pdf   FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
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    I prefer the Boston butt cut. Just easier to mange pulling IMO. Muscles on the picnic are not as uniform. 
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
    edited April 2017
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    To those that say they are the same cut, they are not.  

    A "shoulder" is just that, the whole shoulder.  It includes the butt and the picnic.  

    A "butt" is just that, the butt, but usually cut into two for packaging and selling.  


    Honestly, I like a whole shoulder better than just a butt.  Why?  Because the skin is still left on.  It protects the meat much more giving a whole hog texture to the meat.  

    If you want to ask how's it taste, ask anyone from Butt Blast.  I cooked two whole shoulders.  
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,541
    edited April 2017
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    @tarheelmatt his full shoulder cook was great!!!!
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    tarheelmatt said:
    To those that say they are the same cut, they are not.  

    A "shoulder" is just that, the whole shoulder.  It includes the butt and the picnic.  

    A "butt" is just that, the butt, but usually cut into two for packaging and selling.  


    Honestly, I like a whole shoulder better than just a butt.  Why?  Because the skin is still left on.  It protects the meat much more giving a whole hog texture to the meat.  

    If you want to ask how's it taste, ask anyone from Butt Blast.  I cooked two whole shoulders.  
    I assume @GrillSgt didn't really mean this was Off Topic. ;)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    Carolina Q said:
    tarheelmatt said:
    To those that say they are the same cut, they are not.  

    A "shoulder" is just that, the whole shoulder.  It includes the butt and the picnic.  

    A "butt" is just that, the butt, but usually cut into two for packaging and selling.  


    Honestly, I like a whole shoulder better than just a butt.  Why?  Because the skin is still left on.  It protects the meat much more giving a whole hog texture to the meat.  

    If you want to ask how's it taste, ask anyone from Butt Blast.  I cooked two whole shoulders.  
    I assume @GrillSgt didn't really mean this was Off Topic. ;)
    I'd hope it's a fat finger. 
    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • ronw9471
    ronw9471 Posts: 112
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    bikesAndBBQ said:
    They are the same thing if I am understanding you correctly. 
    I think I understand...So it's the Larry/Lawrence of pork? Thanks.
    Parrish, FL

    My Photo Website: www.ronwooldridgephotography.com

    XL Big Green Egg
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  • tarheelmatt
    tarheelmatt Posts: 9,867
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    ronw9471 said:
    bikesAndBBQ said:
    They are the same thing if I am understanding you correctly. 
    I think I understand...So it's the Larry/Lawrence of pork? Thanks.

    No, read the rest of the comments.  A whole shoulder is not the same as a butt!  

    ------------------------------
    Thomasville, NC
    My YouTube Channel - The Hungry Hussey
    Instagram
    Facebook
    My Photography Site
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,757
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    a whole shoulder is a butt (boston butt) and a picnic shoulder uncut. the picnic is the small end of the shoulder, butt is the bigger blade end. butt pulls clean, picnic has more fat that needs to be removed when pulling. picnics are less expensive and a slightly stronger flavor(i prefer these)
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • ronw9471
    ronw9471 Posts: 112
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    tarheelmatt said:
    ronw9471 said:
    bikesAndBBQ said:
    They are the same thing if I am understanding you correctly. 
    I think I understand...So it's the Larry/Lawrence of pork? Thanks.

    No, read the rest of the comments.  A whole shoulder is not the same as a butt!  

    I did read them Matt, was responding to the one I quoted. Thanks.
    Parrish, FL

    My Photo Website: www.ronwooldridgephotography.com

    XL Big Green Egg
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