Many butchers and grillers tend to see pork butt and pork shoulder as the same thing and which is most of the time misleading. This controversy is a result of the fact that both pork comes from the shoulder of the pig.
However, the pork butt is higher on the foreleg, while the pork shoulder is farther down. Since you are planning to purchase one of the two pork, this article has been written to help you make the right choice.
Pork Butt
Although this meat has a name that is associated with the part behind the pig, it does not come from anywhere near the butt.
Pork butt which is also known as Boston butt is an American name for a cut of pork that comes from the upper part of the shoulder from the front leg and may contain the blade bone.
This pork is famous in the southern part of the United States and is often used as a staple of barbecue. In general use, it is used for pulled pork.
Although this pork can be roasted or cut into steaks, it is best suitable when cooked by braising and stewing or for making ground pork or sausages. It consists of parts of the neck, shoulder blade, and upper arm of the pig.
It has a good deal of connective tissue, and it is at the same time moderately tough cut of pork. This meat is a large, rectangular piece of pork that has had the skin cut off and contains a high level of juicy marbled fat and connective tissue.
It is important to know that this pork needs to be cooked slowly at a low temperature. This temperature level will make this meat a little bit of tender and not tough to eat.
Another way to derive delicious and nutritious meat from this pork butt is to slice it into pork steaks and then grill them indirectly at a low temperature until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees or more.
The best place to get a healthy pork butt is a local butcher shop or farm. However, you tend to find these meats at the supermarket either you want it in full, partial or boneless.
Pork butt contains a high level of the nutrient. You tend to get about 277 calories, 21 grams of protein, and 15 grams of fat from it. Likewise, it has marbling that does not only make the butt so tasty but gives it a give a high-fat food.
Pork Shoulder
Pork shoulder is also known as “picnic shoulder” or “picnic roast”. As its name implies, pork shoulder is meat cut from the shoulder of a pig’s forelimb. It is a triangular-shaped pork that is gotten from the area just above the front leg of the pig.
This meat is most of the time sold at a price rate that is cheap and comes with skin on and a layer of fat. This meat called pork shoulder is located below the Boston Butt and is smaller than the pork.
This pork features a picnic ham and also has the leg bone. The shoulder area of a pig has a lot of flavorful aroma and fat since it is an area that witnesses a lot of activity when the pig is alive. You tend to get tough or tender meat from this pork if it is not well cooked.
If your shoulder pork is made into ground pork, you can decide to fry it on bake it depending on the one that is suitable for you.
However, if you are preparing the meat for a family dinner, it is advisable to either braise it or stew it. Thus, it is important to know that braised pork shoulder is good for slicing and serving.
The pork shoulder has a different taste from pork butt. Whenever you consume this meat, you tend to get a meaty pork flavor and texture from it. However, cooking this pork for an extended period gives a great sweetness that your family will enjoy.
Most of the time, you get a less intramuscular fat and marbling from this pork. This pork is a perfect choice when making a pork roast that calls for cracking-crisp skin since you get to purchase it with the skin on.
You would encounter fewer difficulties in buying this pork. You can find it at most grocery stores in the meat section, or butcher shops.
However, the price of your pork shoulder varies according to its weight.
The boneless picnic shoulder which usually weighs between 5 to 8 pounds has a relatively low price compared to a whole bone-in picnic which weighs about 10 or more pounds and which cost more.
Pork shoulder contains a high level of fat compared to pork butt. It contains about 186 calories, of which 60% is from fat, and 40% is from protein.
Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder
Since you now know that this is a difference between these two porks, the next thing is how to choose the one that best suits your taste and purpose of the meat. That means you have to take note of the feature you are looking for in the beef before buying one.
For instance, the place where the pork comes from may help you to decide which one you should go for. While pork shoulder is from the thinner, triangle-shaped end of the shoulder, pork butt is from the thicker, more intensely marbled end above it.
The location where pork butt is extracted gives them a high level of fat compared to pork shoulder. If you are in search of pork that is nutritious and good for the health, both the pork butt and pork shoulder are the perfect choice for you.