Demystifying Pork Butt: Which Part of the Pig Does This Tasty Cut Come From?

Pork butt is a flavorful and versatile cut of pork that comes from the front shoulder of the pig. Confusingly it does not actually come from the rear end or “butt” of the animal. So why is it called pork butt? Where on the pig does this cut really come from? And what’s the best way to cook it? Let’s clear up the mysteries around this tasty cut of pork.

What Exactly is Pork Butt?

Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or Boston-style shoulder, refers to the upper portion of the front leg of the pig It contains parts of the shoulder and neck.

Specifically, a whole pork butt consists of the shoulder blade, arm bone, and some of the surrounding fat and skin. The blade bone is usually removed before selling to customers. This leaves us with a rectangular boneless cut of meat that weighs around 5-8 pounds.

Pork butt contains a good amount of connective tissue and marbling – thin streaks of fat interspersed in the meat The connective tissue breaks down into gelatin when cooked slowly, keeping the pork moist and giving it a rich mouthfeel The marbling bastes the meat from within as it cooks, keeping it tender and juicy.

Why “Butt”? Where on the Pig is Pork Butt Located?

Clearly, pork butt does not come from the rear of the pig. The pork leg and ham are located on the hindquarters. So why is this shoulder cut called “butt”?

There are a few possible explanations:

• “Butt” can refer to the thicker, fattier end of a cut of meat. Pork butt is the thickest part of pork shoulder.
• In pre-revolutionary New England, pork butt was packed into casks called “butts” for storage and transportation. The name stuck.
• Pork shoulder resembles the shape of a human butt or rump. It’s a round, stubby cut compared to the elongated front leg.

How is Pork Butt Different From Pork Shoulder?

Pork shoulder and pork butt refer to meat from the same section of the pig. However, there are some differences:

• Pork shoulder includes meat from both the upper shoulder (butt) and lower shoulder or picnic shoulder. Pork butt is only the upper shoulder.
• Pork butt contains more connective tissue and fat marbling since it’s further up the shoulder. Pork shoulder tends to be leaner.
• The two cuts can usually be used interchangeably in recipes. However, pork butt’s extra marbling makes it ideal for slow cooking methods like barbecue and pulled pork.

How Should You Cook Pork Butt?

The high collagen and fat content of pork butt makes it perfect for moist, flavorful pulled pork and carnitas. It also shines when braised or slow-roasted. The meat becomes fall-apart tender after hours of gentle simmering or low heat roasting.

You can cook a pork butt low and slow using these methods:

• Oven roasting: Season pork butt with salt, pepper and spices. Roast at 300°F for 4-6 hours until extremely tender.

• Slow cooker: Add Pork butt, liquid and seasonings to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.

• Smoking: Smoking infuses deep flavor. Apply a dry rub, then smoke the pork butt at 225-275°F for 6-12 hours.

• Braising: Brown the pork butt, then braise it in a flavorful liquid like wine, broth or barbecue sauce for 2-3 hours until tender.

The cooked pork can be shredded or chopped and used in tacos, sandwiches, burritos and more. Leftovers freeze well for later use. Store shredded pork in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Quick Pork Butt Cooking Tips

• Choose pork butt with the fat cap intact for added moisture and flavor. Or buy it boneless for easier prep.

• Apply a spice rub or marinade before cooking to infuse flavor into the meat.

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork reaches 200-205°F when done. This high internal temp allows the collagen to fully melt for tender meat.

• Let the cooked pork rest for at least 30 minutes before shredding or slicing, to allow the juices to redistribute.

• Save the fatty drippings from roasting or smoking to mix into BBQ sauce or baked beans.

Creative Ways to Use Pork Butt

Beyond classic pulled pork and carnitas, here are some fun ways to use up leftover pork butt or incorporate it into other dishes:

• Pork butt cornbread – Add shredded pork and hot sauce to cornbread batter before baking.

• Pork fried rice – Use shredded pork instead of typical proteins like chicken, shrimp or egg.

• Pork tacos – Stuff corn tortillas with shredded pork, onion, cilantro and cotija cheese.

• Pork tamales – Make the masa dough, then fill with shredded pork and red sauce.

• Pork pizza – Top pizza crust with bbq sauce, shredded pork, red onion and pineapple.

• Pork omelet – Saute shredded pork with onions and peppers, then fold into an egg omelet.

• Pork salad – Toss shredded pork with mixed greens, bacon, blue cheese, tomato and ranch dressing.

In Summary

Pork butt is a flavorful, well-marbled cut that comes from the front shoulder of the pig – not the rear. Long, moist cooking methods like roasting, smoking and braising allow the fat and collagen to break down into succulent, pull-apart meat. Beyond pulled pork, pork butt can be adapted to tacos, pizza, eggs, salads and more. Now that the confusion over pork butt’s origins has been cleared up, it’s time to start cooking this delicious cut of pork!