Pork butt is a cut from the shoulder of a hog. When buying pork butts, you will also find them labeled as Boston Butt. You can purchase the pork butt: at a local butcher shop, farmers’ market, or specialty grocery store. You should be able to find pork butts in the same place every time. Pork butts come from either male or female pigs. Male hogs have more flavorful meat than female hogs because they tend to feed on more fatty herbs and fruit. The meat is also leaner, which makes it easier to prepare without adding too much fat during roasting or frying.
What is the Difference between Pork Butt and Pork Shoulder?
Pork butt and pork shoulder are the same cut of meat but come from different parts of the pig. Pork butt is a cut from the shoulder of the pig and comes from the muscle between the neck and back. Pork shoulder is taken from the front half of the pig, which is also where pigs have been traditionally used for human consumption. Pork butts are also commonly used to make pastrami. Pork butt and pork shoulder are similar in many ways, yet they are different animals and have some different characteristics. This is why many butchers will subdivide the pork butt and pork shoulder into pork butt and pork shoulder depending on the size and purpose of the meat.
How to Choose a Good Pork Butt
Pork butt is a cut of meat that is undergoing muscle fiber shrinkage when cooked slow and low. This makes pork butt meat a lean, flavorful and tender source of protein. However, this lean meat needs extra care when it comes to its preparation. Pork butts can be found at the local butcher shop or at a specialty grocery store. Costco pork butt is also a great option. Costco is known for providing high quality meats at affordable prices. Check to see what’s available – you can often find this cut of meat for $1.99 per pound.
What is the Difference between Pork Butt and Pork Shoulder?
Pork butt and pork shoulder are the same cut of meat but come from different parts of the pig. Pork butt is a cut from the shoulder of the pig and comes from the muscle between the neck and back. Pork shoulder is taken from the front half of the pig, which is also where pigs have been traditionally used for human consumption. Pork butts are also commonly used to make pastrami.
How to Prepare Pork Butt for Cooking
Allow the pork butt to come to room temperature prior to cooking. This usually takes approximately one hour. Make sure to pat the pork butt dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. The next step is to season the meat. This can be as simple as using salt and pepper, or using a pork rub that you can purchase at your local grocery store. Marinading time can vary from cook to cook. You can do it in as little as one hour, or for more intense flavors, it can be done the night before the cook. The pork butt is now ready to be cooked. Smoking pork butt, cooking in the Instant Pot, or braising slow and low are all great options for preparing this meat.
How to Roast Pork Butt
Preheat the oven to 325°F. – Place pork butt pieces in a roasting pan, cover with foil and roast for about 2 hours until the pork butt is fork-tender. – Remove pork butt pieces from the oven, and place them in a large bowl. Add the 1 cup of pork butt stock, 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. – Mix the ingredients well with your hands and allow the pork to sit in the mixture for about 2 hours. – When the pork butt mixture is time to serve, the pork butt will be infused with the flavors of the ingredients, and the pork butt pieces will be soft and delicious. – Pork butt can also be grilled, smoked, or cooked in a pressure cooker for more flavors.
DIY: For Pork Butt Smoker
Smoking: If you want to smoke your pork, take it out of the refrigerator about an hour before you plan to grill it. Then, smoke the pork butt at 250°F for about 1 hour per pound. You’ll want the internal temperature to be about 200°F before allowing it to rest. Resting allows the meats juices to get evenly distributed throughout the cut of meat. The resting process ensures that you have a nice moist cut of meat.
