Is pork shoulder blade good for pulled pork?

Pork butt is usually sold with the shoulder blade bone still in and fat cap on one side. As is, this piece of meat is perfect for low and slow cooking such as smoking or braising. The end result of low and slow cooking renders the internal fat, making for juicy, flavorful pulled pork.

Is pork shoulder blade same as pork shoulder?

The National Pork Board calls it “the top portion of the front leg of the hog.” It’s typically broken down into two cuts: the top, or blade shoulder (aka Boston butt), and the lower arm shoulder (aka pork shoulder or picnic roast).

Can you use a pork blade roast for pulled pork?

For pulled pork, we prefer using a pork shoulder roast. You can get them boneless or bone-in, and we always enjoy the convenience of the boneless roast, which is what we wrote the recipe for, but you can use a bone-in roast if that is what you have.

Can you shred a pork shoulder blade roast?

Shredding the Meat

When the pork shoulder is cool enough to handle, use two forks or your fingers to shred the meat apart into small pieces. Remove any bones and large pieces of fat. For a more moist and flavored pulled pork, mix some of the cooking liquid back into the meat.

What is the best pork for pulled pork?

Pork shoulder
Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it’s essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.

What’s the difference between pork shoulder roast and pork shoulder blade roast?

The arm shoulder (aka picnic ham, arm pork roast, or pork shoulder roast) comes from lower on the foreleg: the part where the shoulder meets the pig’s “arm,” and is therefore uneven and triangular in shape. It has less marbling than the blade shoulder but is usually sold skin-on, so it’s good for making crackling.

How do you cut a pork shoulder for pulled pork?

How do you make pulled pork fall apart?

Pork that isn’t shredding due to undercooked meat is easier to fix. Just put the meat back on the smoker until it’s reached at least 195 degrees. Let it rest for at least 45 minutes, then attempt to shred it again.

Why is pork shoulder cheap?

Pork shoulder, generally divided between the picnic roast and the Boston butt, are among the least expensive cuts of pork because they are tougher cuts of meat. The secret to getting them tender and flavorful is to braise them, a moist cooking method which breaks down the tough connective tissue.

Do you remove the fat from pork shoulder?

When it comes to barbecuing pork shoulder, you need to trim the surface fat to let the seasonings penetrate the meat, but leave enough to give the finished dish flavor. To do so, the website recommends first removing as much of the thick layer of fat that typically covers one side of a pork shoulder cut as possible.

What can I do with the fat cap from pork shoulder?

The fat cap can contribute flavor and texture to the pork, but it’s important not to overdo it. We prefer to trim the fat cap to about 1/4 inch, then use the trimmings as a seasoning for other dishes. You can use what’s left of the fat cap to add moisture to the pulled pork after cooking.

Do you cook pork shoulder fat side up or down?

You can put the shoulder in the smoker fat side up or down, I’ve had good results with either way of doing it. However in general you want the fat side up so the juices baste the meat while cooking.

What part is the Boston butt?

shoulder
Pork Butt (a.k.a. Boston Butt)

Pork butt comes from above the pig’s shoulder blade, directly behind its neck and head. This muscle isn’t used as much by the pig as the picnic shoulder—we’ll get to that—so the meat is less tough and sinewy.

Should I trim pork shoulder before smoking?

When you master how to trim a Boston butt, you’ll find that trimming this piece of meat allows the rub and smoke to penetrate more fully. You’re going to remove the thick skin usually located on two sides of the shoulder, as well as excess pieces of fat that would not render properly during cooking.

Do you flip a Boston butt when smoking?

It is very important that you place the meat with its bone at the bottom for this will help form the rendered fat which will keep the meat moist. Once you begin the cooking process, just leave the pork alone and let the heat do all the magic. I don’t even prefer flipping it or turning it size wise while it is cooking.

What is the difference between a pork shoulder and a Boston butt?

Pork butt and pork shoulder both come from the shoulder of the pig. Pork butt (also called Boston Butt) comes from above the shoulder blades, while pork shoulder meat extends down to the pig’s front hoofs. Pork butt contains more fat and marbling, which makes it better suited to barbecue smoking.

Can I use a pork picnic shoulder for pulled pork?

Unlike brisket, pulled pork can be made from any fatty pork roast or from a whole hog, but the best cut for pulled pork is the shoulder. High in fat and connective tissue, the shoulder is the most flavorful part of the hog. The pork shoulder is typically cut into two parts, the Boston butt and the picnic roast.

What part of pig is bacon?

belly
Bacon can come from a pig’s belly, back or sides ⁠— essentially anywhere that has an exceptionally high fat content. In the United Kingdom, back bacon is most common, but Americans are more familiar with “streaky” bacon, also known as side bacon, which is cut from pork belly.

What is pork shoulder used for?

It’s a versatile and economical cut that takes deliciously to roasting, braising, stewing, and slow cooking. Low, moist heat turns the meat so tender and succulent, it just falls away from the bone and practically melts in the mouth. In the U.S., pork shoulder is the perfect pick for pulled pork.

What kind of pork is used for carnitas?

pork shoulder
Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork. It’s traditionally made with pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) because of the higher fat content, which helps the meat stay super tender and juicy while it’s cooked.

Is pork shoulder the same as pork roast?

PORK SHOULDER, or PORK BUTT

Starting from the front of the pig: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt or “Boston butt” ) is generally sold as a 5 to 10 pound boneless roast at the grocery store. (Pork shoulder chops are sold with bones, but those are less common.)

Why is my pulled pork tough?

If you don’t cook the connective tissue properly, it will be tough and rubbery. The connective tissue has to break down and literally melt away in the meat. This takes time.