Tony Zentgraf
In the video below, I demonstrate how to remove the pork shoulder blade from the shoulder or picnic ham.
I used half of the pork shoulder meat for dice that I use in the Chile Verde recipe and the other half I grind for later use for potstickers or a Drunken Noodle dish.
Buying a bigger cut of meat and break it down yourself can save you some money. For example, buy a pork shoulder at $1.70 a lb vs buying ground pork or different cuts at a higher price per lb.
Saving some money and freezing or utilizing the other cuts for other uses. Buy when it is on sale and you may be saving even more in the long run. Break it down and freeze for later use.
What is the difference between
Pork Shoulder vs Pork Butt?
Before I answer that question, let’s discuss the Primal Cuts and Subprimal Cuts. When the butchering process begins a carcass is broken down into Primal Cuts, large sections of cuts that are easier to handle. Each Primal Cut is then further broken down to Subprimal Cuts.
There a four major Primal Cuts or areas of a pig, the Leg, Loin, Shoulder and Belly. Out of each of these primal cuts are sub primal cuts.
As an example cut from the Loin Primal, Baby Back Ribs, Pork loin, Tenderloin are cut. Out of the Belly Primal Cut is Bacon and Spare Ribs.
Contrary to what you may think, a pork butt actually comes from the shoulder not the hind legs. A holiday ham comes from the back hip/leg areas.
Pork Shoulder is sometimes called a Picnic Ham in the grocery store because it is cut form the larger shoulder piece, not to be confused with the Holiday Ham.
The Pork Shoulder is similar to Pork Butt as far as it is a cut that can be cooked the same way for pulled pork, ground for other use, or cubed for a slow cook. But one difference lies in the fat content of the two.
Boston Butt is cut from above the shoulder area. The muscle of the Boston Butt is fattier, the muscle does not get as much use the shoulder muscles. The Pork Shoulder can be tougher and have more sinew than the butt.
One of my local stores will run sales on Pork Shoulder (really a picnic shoulder), they don’t usually carry actual Boston Butt. I will use shoulder for smoking, grind or stewing.
The Butt and Shoulder can be used interchangeably. If they carried Boston Butt I might use it more but if it is on sale I will make it work.
Make this Chile Verde Recipe it is a delicious dish! Enjoy!
