Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder is one of the most versatile and economical pork cuts for restaurants, caterers and food manufacturers. Buying pork butt wholesale ensures you get the best value on large quantities of quality meat.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll cover everything you need to know about purchasing wholesale pork butt. including
- What is pork butt?
- Benefits of buying wholesale
- How much to order
- Where to source wholesale pork butt
- What to look for in a supplier
- Pork butt vs pork shoulder
- Prices to expect
- Safety, storage and handling
Whether you need pork butt for pulled pork, stews, sausages or smoked ham, buying wholesale will help keep your food costs down. Let’s dive into the details!
What is Pork Butt?
Pork butt, despite its name, actually comes from the upper shoulder of the hog. It contains parts of the neck shoulder, and upper arm. This well-marbled cut has intermuscular fat that helps keep the pork juicy when cooked low and slow.
Other common names for pork butt include Boston butt, Boston-style shoulder, and pork shoulder blade roast. They all refer to the same cut of meat from the front leg/shoulder of the pig.
Boneless pork butt is the ideal cut for pulled pork, carnitas, braising, and smoking. The collagen melts into succulent tenderness after hours of moist heat cooking.
Benefits of Buying Pork Butt Wholesale
Here are some of the biggest advantages of purchasing pork butt in bulk:
Significant cost savings – Buying wholesale pork shoulder can be anywhere from 30-50% cheaper per pound compared to retail prices. You get better rates by purchasing in larger quantities.
Convenience – Wholesale supply allows you to order exactly how much pork butt you need, when you need it. No more running out or having excess inventory.
Quality control – Sourcing directly from processors or meat suppliers gives you consistency and control over the pork quality.
Variety – Many distributors offer options like enhanced, heirloom breed, organic, pasture-raised, and pre-seasoned pork.
Cuts costs on labor and delivery – Ordering bulk pork butt eliminates the time and expense of sending employees to grocery stores.
For any busy restaurant, catering business, or food manufacturer, buying pork butt wholesale makes perfect economic sense.
How Much Pork Butt Should You Order?
To determine the ideal wholesale pork butt order quantity for your operation, consider:
- How many servings of pulled pork/other dishes you plan to offer each week
- Average portion sizes of your pork recipes
- How much freezer space you have for storage
- Minimum order requirements from your supplier
- Seasonal demand fluctuations
For example, if you sell 100 pulled pork sandwiches per week, and get about 5-6 portions from each 5 lb pork butt, you would need about 20-25 lbs of pork butt each week.
Factor in some extra for bone loss, cooking loss, and spoilage. Purchasing 30-50 lbs at a time ensures you have enough on hand to meet demand. Just adjust quantities based on your specific menu offerings and projections.
Where to Buy Wholesale Pork Butt
Finding the right supplier is key to getting the best quality wholesale pork at competitive prices. Here are some top options for sourcing bulk pork butt:
Meat and seafood distributors – Check companies like US Foods, Sysco, and specialty distributors like Porky Products. They sell case packs of pork butt for delivery.
Restaurant food suppliers – Companies like WebstaurantStore, Gordon Food Service, and Smart Foodservice carry wholesale pork shoulder.
Butcher shops or meat markets – Many local butchers will order and sell wholesale case packs of pork to businesses.
Direct from processors – Work directly with pork harvesters and processors like Tyson, Smithfield, and Cargill.
Farms or co-ops – Source from local pig farmers, 4H/FFA groups, or producer co-ops. Great for specialty pork.
Wholesale warehouse clubs – Restaurant/business memberships at Sam’s Club and Costco provide access to bulk pork pricing.
Shop around to find a supplier that consistently carries high-quality pork butt at prices that fit your budget. Developing a relationship with one go-to vendor can be beneficial.
What to Look for in a Pork Butt Supplier
To choose the best possible wholesale pork butt supplier, evaluate:
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Quality – Consistently delivers fresh, properly butchered cuts with good marbling, color and smell. Avoid dry, pale or smelly pork.
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Safety – Sources from licensed, regulated farms and facilities. Follows strict food safety protocols.
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Transparency – Provides details on where pork comes from and how animals are raised and processed. Look for third-party audits.
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Service – Responsive sales reps and customer service team. Quickly resolves any issues.
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Delivery – Offers reliable delivery on standing orders. Keeps products properly chilled/frozen in transit.
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Flexibility – Can accommodate customized cuts, quantities, breeds and processing preferences.
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Affordability – Competitive pricing and discounts for bulk orders and repeat customers. Reasonable minimums.
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Reputation – Positive reviews and history of satisfied business customers purchasing pork.
Doing some due diligence will ensure you get the best service, selection and value when buying wholesale pork shoulder.
Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder – What’s the Difference?
Pork butt and pork shoulder refer to the exact same cut of meat. Pork shoulder is just a more anatomically correct name since it comes from the front leg/shoulder area.
Boneless pork butt is most commonly used for pulled pork because it easily shreds after hours of slow roasting or smoking. Pork shoulder steaks work well for grilling or braising recipes.
Either term can be used when purchasing wholesale – choose based on what your supplier labels it. Just specify whether you want bone-in or boneless, and if enhancement is acceptable.
Average Wholesale Pork Butt Prices
The price per pound for wholesale pork butt can range anywhere from $1.60 – $3.50 depending on:
- Quantity ordered
- Time of year
- Boneless vs bone-in
- Enhanced, natural or organic
- Miscellaneous supplier fees
On average, expect to pay around $.25-$1 less per pound compared to typical grocery store prices. Buying a larger bulk quantity (60 lbs+) will provide the biggest price break.
Wholesale pork shoulder prices also tend to dip after peak summer grilling season and peak again around the holidays when demand spikes. Use this to your purchasing advantage!
Handling, Storage and Food Safety
To safely handle and store wholesale pork butt:
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Inspect deliveries for proper temperature (below 40°F) and quality.
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Wrap or seal pork if transit packaging is compromised.
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Refrigerate immediately, ideally in a walk-in cooler.
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Freeze extras if needed, up to 4 months for optimal quality.
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Defrost in the refrigerator 1-2 days before use.
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Follow First In, First Out (FIFO) method to use oldest inventory first.
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Cook pork fully to an internal temperature of at least 145°F.
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Discard any pork with an unpleasant odor or slimy texture.
Proper receiving, storage, thawing, prep and cooking procedures are essential for pork safety. Use thermometers and approved defrosting methods.
Put Wholesale Pork Butt to Use
Wholesale pork butt is extremely versatile for all types of restaurants and food businesses. Here are some of the most popular uses for big batches of pork shoulder:
- Pulled Pork – Shred smoked or braised pork butt for sandwiches
- Carnitas – Slow cook with citrus and spices then crisp
- Char Siu – Chinese BBQ glazed roasted pork
- Pork Ragu – Rich, meaty sauce for pasta
- Green Chili Pork Stew – Southwestern favorite
- Pork Banh Mi – Vietnamese sandwiches
- Pork Tamales – Savory stuffed masa wraps
- Pork Chili Verde – Tomatillo and green chili braised pork
- Pork Hash – Great breakfast diner staple
- Pork Larb – Thai minced pork salad
- Ground Pork – Add juiciness to sausage and burgers
With so many options, wholesale pork butt can go a long way in any commercial or home kitchen.
Satisfy Pork Cravings with Wholesale Butts
From street food to homestyle comfort dishes, flavorful pork butt stars in many beloved recipes. Buying wholesale pork shoulder provides restaurants, caterers, and food businesses big savings compared to retail. Sourcing from reputable suppliers ensures a reliable inventory of high-quality boneless or bone-in pork butt.
Understanding how much you need, where to order, average pricing, and proper handling procedures takes the
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FAQ
What is the cheapest pork to use for pulled pork?
Where can I buy pork butt?
If you can’t get to a butcher, a warehouse store is your best bet for Pork Butts. Stores such as Sam’s Club or Costco have really good product. It’s hard to find whole shoulders at these places, but they do sell really good pork butts. Normally found in a two pack, the Pork Butt are really fresh. Watch out for any “loose” packaging.
How much does pork butt cost?
The average price for pork butts is around the $1.79 – $2.29 average price per pound range. However, if you can find it while meat prices are low, from time to time prices can drop as low as $0.99 per pound. Pork butt is usually sold by weight and is one of the most economical and versatile cuts of meat on the market.
What size pork butt should I buy?
If you want to produce Championship Quality Pork Butt, you MUST start with a good quality product… If you’re buying Whole Shoulders, look for them to weigh 16-17 lbs. I’ve found that this size shoulder trims down to the perfect contest size. When cooking Pork Butt I stick with the 8lb range. Stay away from the larger cuts of meat.
Where to buy pork butt for barbecue?
Grocery stores are the best place to buy pork butt for barbecues. They carry meat in large quantities and have all of your favorite brands, like Smithfield® or Tyson®, which will help you impress everyone at your next party! 2. Supermarkets