No question it’s both.
Chances are you’ve been enjoying pork butt for years. Surely the cooks in your house opted to drop the butt from their answer when probed with the proverbial and preprogrammed question every kid mutters…”what’s for dinner?”
This omission tactic has saved many dinnertime revolts as well as impromptu stand-up comic routines and endless spells of the giggles.
But right about now, many folks out there are probably thinking:
Hey, wait a minute…we’re not familiar with any other butt cuts out there, so what’s up with pork butt?
It’s a question we get often, and let us reassure you, it’s not what you think.
As the upper part of the pork shoulder, pork butt may be referenced just that way, simply as pork shoulder. It is also known as shoulder butt, shoulder roast, Boston butt, Boston roast, shoulder blade roast and shoulder steak.
With its magnificent marbling, it is also the cut responsible for delicious ground pork and sausage.
But to be specific, the lower part of the pork shoulder, just above the front legs, is called picnic, while the upper portion is referred to as butt.
To clarify: that is nowhere near the pig’s backside. You’re free to enjoy your pork butt without question or concern.
Now that you’re not timid about pork butt and feeling Porktastic, here are a few ways in which to enjoy this tasty and affordable cut:
Cubed – use in stews or on kebabs
Whole – as a pot roast
Pulled – perhaps its signature use comes as pulled pork.
Pork butt: the funny name and the delicious cut, indeed.
Call it what you will if it helps to stave off your own mealtime fiascoes, but one thing is certain – you’ll be calling it Porktastically good every time.
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