Pork Shoulder vs Pork Butt: Which is Best?

The distinction between pork shoulder vs pork butt lies in their location and composition. Pork butt is cut from the upper portion of the pig’s shoulder and contains a greater amount of fat, while pork shoulder comes from the front shoulder, closer to the lower part of the leg, and consists of a higher muscle content.

If you’re wondering which cut of meat you should use and when, you’ll learn all about that and the differences between the two while reading this article.

Both are great cuts of pork that we’ve used many times in various recipes, however they are each suited for different situations, so it’s a good idea to learn more about it.

Pork Shoulder vs Pork Butt

These two cuts of meat look similar, but there’re several distinctions to keep in mind when making your selection.

First of all, both cuts come from the shoulder. As you can see from the diagram below, the pork butt is the section of the shoulder that is higher up.

So, there are a few other things that make these cuts different, like:

• Pork butt’s got more fat than pork shoulder, so you’ll find more marbling in it.
• The shape’s different too – pork butt is usually more rectangular, while pork shoulder’s got a triangular vibe going on because of how it’s cut from the pig.
• Pork shoulder’s more likely to have the skin on it, but both usually keep a big ol’ fat cap.
• When it comes to cooking, pork butt’s great for stews and pulled pork ’cause of all that fat, while shoulder’s better as a roast since the meat holds together well for slicing and you can get the skin all crispy.

Comparison Table

Pork Shoulder	Pork Butt
From front shoulder, lower leg	From upper portion of shoulder
More muscle content	More fat content
Triangular shape	Rectangular shape
Often has skin on	Skin usually removed
Less fat and marbling	More fat and marbling
Better for roasts, crispy skin	Ideal for pulled pork, stews
Sold boneless and rolled	Sold bone-in with fat cap
Called picnic roast/shoulder	Called Boston butt

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What is Pork Shoulder?

Pork shoulder is the top part of the pig’s front leg, right above the forelegs. Even the National Pork Board calls it that. Sometimes, people also call it a picnic roast or picnic shoulder.

Usually, it’s sold without the bone and all wrapped up in netting, with the skin still on, so the pieces won’t fall apart, because they are usually only minorly kept held together. They can also come bone-in and those tend to make a juicier end product.

Compared to the butt, the pork shoulder has less fat and marbling inside the meat, which means it’s not as fatty or tender when it’s cooked. That’s not saying much though, because the pork shoulder is actually a quite fatty, tender piece of meat.

» Check out – How Long To Smoke Pork Shoulder at 250° F.

What is Pork Butt

Pork Butt, or you might know it as Boston butt, is the top part of a pig’s shoulder. It’s super popular for making pulled pork because it’s pretty affordable and has lots of fat, so the meat stays tender and juicy instead of getting dry and stringy. There’s usually a big fat cap on one side, and it’s mostly sold with the bone in and no skin.

To make it tender and delish, you have to cook it slow, like with smoking or braising, which breaks down all the connective tissues in the meat. It’s got loads of fat and marbling, so it won’t dry out even when you crank up the heat, and even if you overcook it.

The extra fat makes pork butt awesome for stews or any time you want some mouthwatering, fall-apart meat. Trust me, it’s perfect for whipping up some epic roast pork sandwiches.

Is Pork Shoulder Better Than Pork Butt?

Pork butt and pork shoulder do differ in taste and texture, though only slightly. Most eater won’t really notice the difference. If you’ve only got one choice, it’s not going to matter much.

When selecting between different cuts of pork, it’s important to consider differences in flavor and texture. Pork shoulder typically contains less fat and is more chewy, while pork butt has more intramuscular fat resulting in a slice that is softer and more tender.

Pork butt usually comes without the skin or bone when butchers cut it into a triangular shape. It is commonly used for pulled pork dishes, shredded after cooking in a stew or slow cooker to make Mexican dishes like carnitas tacos.

On the other hand, pork shoulder can be grilled or roasted to produce a crispy crust on the outside, much like crispy pork crackling or pork roast.

Pork Shoulders: When to Use It

Pork shoulder, which is often sold with the skin on, is a great cut of meat to use when you’re planning to serve sliced pork. The skin will achieve a crackling-crisp texture and it won’t have large pockets of fat that need to be picked around. For a delicious Cuban mojo marinated pork, use a pork shoulder – you won’t be disappointed!

Pork Butt: When To Use It

Pork butt is the best option for stews, braises and making the most tender pulled pork for sandwiches or tacos due to its higher fat marbling throughout, and uniform cut. Experts recommend choosing pork butt over pork shoulder in recipes, and if you have leftovers of pulled pork this guide on reheating it will keep it moist.

» Once you find the best wood for smoking pulled pork, it will totally change the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Often, pork cuts like pork shoulder and pork butt are confused. Both come from the pig’s shoulder, although pork butt is higher on the foreleg and pork shoulder is lower.

Both cuts benefit from long, slow cooking methods, such as roasting, stewing, and braising, because they are relatively tough and fatty. However, pork butt tends to be more popular.

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