Shoulder or Butt for Pulled Pork?

ronw9471

Hope this is not a silly question though probably not an original one I'm sure. What's your preference?

bikesAndBBQ

They are the same thing if I am understanding you correctly. 

Battleborn

It's the same thing. 

hoosier_egger

Pork shoulder, Boston Butt, and Pork Butt are all the same cut, coming from the front shoulder of the hog

Killit_and_Grillit

Oh come on @Battleborn ...

this thread could have made my Sunday. 

Battleborn

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. 

Carolina Q

I assume you are talking about these two cuts, opposite ends of the shoulder...

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.

SciAggie

Here's why it's called "butt" - if you believe the internet...
http://mentalfloss.com/article/22382/how-9-cuts-meat-got-their-names

lousubcap

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-

pgprescott

I prefer the Boston butt cut. Just easier to mange pulling IMO. Muscles on the picnic are not as uniform. 

tarheelmatt

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.  

JohnnyTarheel

@tarheelmatt his full shoulder cook was great!!!!

Carolina Q

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.

tarheelmatt

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. 

ronw9471

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.

tarheelmatt

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!  

fishlessman

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)

ronw9471

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.