Can I use Picnic shoulder instead of pork butt?
As such, picnic shoulder is a bit better for cooking whole and slicing, while pork butt is perfect for making pulled pork and other recipes in which the meat is meant to fall apart. That said, you can, if the selection at the butcher counter demands, use picnic shoulder, pork shoulder, and pork butt interchangeably in most recipes.
What is the best cut of pork 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 is the best way to cook pulled pork?
The pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit to make it tender and succulent. One option is to cook it in a grill or smoker as you would pork butt, then use the meat to make pulled pork. This is the most obvious method, and one that many beginners will use to familiarize themselves with the cut.
What is a pork picnic?
In other words, pork picnic is the cut with muscles that get a lot of work (near the legs which the pig uses to walk). It is found between the pork butt and the front leg hoof. Pork picnic is considered to be one of the more flavorful cuts because it has different muscle groups that can provide an array of textures and flavors.
What is pork picnic used for?
Like pork butt, picnic shoulder benefits from long and slow cooking. In addition to slicing, it is great to cut up and use as stew meat and in chilis, like Pork Green Chili and Red Chile Pork Stew. Picnic shoulder can also be cooked whole and then served sliced, almost like ham.
Can you use pork picnic half for pulled pork?
This cut is often overlooked in the bbq world because there's more meat on the Butt portion but don't count the Pork Picnic Shoulder out. It cooks just like a pork butt and is easily turned into mouth-watering, pulled pork.
Is pork picnic the same as pork shoulder?
Pork shoulder is also called pork picnic shoulder and is found directly below the pork butt on the animal. This sub-primal cut runs from the bottom of the pork butt to the top of the front leg hoof. As opposed to the pork butt, this is a well-used muscle on the pig, making it a more dense and tough piece of meat.
What is the best pork to use for pulled pork?
pork shoulderFor a classic pulled pork, a pork shoulder is the go-to. You might also see it referred to as a Boston Butt or pork butt. This will provide the moistest result for your pulled pork. I personally prefer a boneless cut of pork, in my opinion, it's a lot easier to work with.
Can you overcook pulled pork?
In a word, yes. If pork shoulder or pork butt is allowed to cook past 210 degrees or so, the meat will begin to dry out. This will affect the quality of your pulled pork, even if you smother the meat in barbecue sauce before serving it.
Is pork picnic the same as Boston butt?
The picnic shoulder is located directly below the Boston butt, and includes all of the leg until the hock, right above the pig's front foot. There are some instances where we opt for this cut over Boston butt.
What can I use for pulled pork?
The most common cut for making pulled pork is the shoulder. The pork shoulder is the entire front leg and shoulder of a hog. In your grocery store, you will usually find this divided into two cuts: the Boston butt (also known as the Boston roast) and the picnic roast.
What is better shoulder or picnic?
Uses. Because pork shoulder has more fat content, it's perfect for slow cooking to make tender and moist pork. This makes it great for achieving the tear-away consistency that's ideal for pulled pork. Pork shoulder is tougher so is better for forming slices or shreds that are used in ramen or tacos.
What is the secret to tender pulled pork?
Cooking the pork low and very slow is the secret to the juiciest and most tender pulled pork. Serve the pork as is or feel free to stir in your favorite barbecue or other sauces at the end of cooking.
What cut of pork is best for slow cooker pulled pork?
boneless pork shoulderWhen it comes to making pulled pork, look for a boneless pork shoulder. Sometimes it's also called a pork butt or Boston butt. You can find bone-in pork shoulders, though I prefer a boneless pork shoulder for more meat in my slow cooker.
How much will 5 lbs of pulled pork feed?
On average, one pound of BBQ pork will feed three people, so serve one-third pound of pulled pork per head. When pulled pork is cooked and shredded, it will lose half its weight. For example, a raw 8-pound pork shoulder will yield 4 pounds of shredded pulled pork, serving approximately 12 people.
What is a picnic pork shoulder?
Also known as "Boston butt" or "picnic shoulder," pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of well-marbled meat that comes from the top portion of the front leg of the hog (despite the name "butt"). You can choose boneless cuts, which cook in a shorter period of time, or bone-in cuts, which have a little more flavor.
What's the best BBQ sauce for pulled pork?
Best BBQ Sauce for Pulled Pork ReviewsBlues Hog Original BBQ Sauce.Guys Award Winning Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce.Lillies Q-Smoky BBQ Sauce.Hughes Sugar-Free Original Barbecue Sauce.Montgomery Inn Barbecue Sauce.Open Pit Original Barbecue Sauce.Bone Suckin Sauce Original Seasoning & Rub.
Can you use pork loin for pulled pork?
You can absolutely make pulled pork with a pork loin. (Keep in mind we aren't talking about pork tenderloin. These cuts of pork are need different cooking times and are not interchangeable, read about the differences here.) Of course, it's also very popular to use a pork shoulder roast or pork butt for pulled pork.
Do you cook pork shoulder skin up 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.
Picnic Shoulder Versus Pork Shoulder
So what's the difference between picnic shoulder and pork shoulder? In short, not much. They are theoretically the same, with slight variations in how they are cut in different parts of the country. One can be substituted for the other in recipes without worry. Don't get too hung up on the confusing names of the meat.
Picnic Shoulder Versus Pork Butt
To make matters more confusing, pork butt is another cut of pork. Those well-versed in the peculiar nature of the names of meat cuts will already know that pork butt is, in fact, from the shoulder, or front legs, of the pig. Ham comes from the back legs.
How to Cook Picnic Shoulder
Like pork butt, picnic shoulder benefits from long and slow cooking. In addition to slicing, it is great to cut up and use as stew meat and in chilis, like Pork Green Chili and Red Chile Pork Stew. Picnic shoulder can also be cooked whole and then served sliced, almost like ham. Keep it covered and moist while it cooks for the best results.
What to Buy?
Look for pork shoulder or pork butt. Even though it’s called a “butt,” it’s actually part of the shoulder meat. (The actual rear end is called the ham!) Go for bone-in or boneless, whichever you prefer. Bone-in shoulders take a little longer to cook, but can make the meat more flavorful and succulent.
Slow-Cooking the Pork
Cooking a pork shoulder into heavenly succulence is practically fool-proof, but it does require time. The shoulder is a hard-working muscle and the meat is pretty darn tough. At a low, steady temperature, however, the gelatin in that tough shoulder melts and bastes the meat as it cooks. You can’t rush it.
What to Do with Pork Shoulder
I said this was my secret weapon and I meant it. A few hours of labor upfront means some pretty darn incredible pork that will make almost any quick weeknight dish taste like it took hours to make. Depending on how you spice the pork, one single batch can be used in countless ways.
Instructions
Heat the oven to 325°F. Arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 325°F.
Recipe Notes
Slow-cooker variation: In a 5-quart or larger slow cooker, combine the meat, any vegetables, and liquid. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours or LOW for 8 to 10 hours.
Pulled pork - the feast of champions
This beloved low-and-slow smoked meat is the perfect solution for feeding a large, hungry crowd. Pork butt is laced with flavorful fat and connective tissue that melt when cooked low and slow, giving the pork an incredibly tender texture and succulent flavor.
How to Buy Pork Butt for Pulled Pork
A full pork butt can weigh between 8 and 20 pounds and has two halves: the pork butt and the picnic ham.
How Much Pork Do You Need?
Plan on about one-half pound per person. Be aware that there is significant shrinkage and waste, due to the bone and fat you discard when pulling the pork. Count on approximately 30% loss.
Tips for Smoking Pork
Here are a few thoughts from expert pitmasters on how to make the best pulled pork on the block.
Choose the Cut
The first step when making smoked pulled pork barbecue is deciding which cut of pork you want to use. 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.
Preparation
Once you have your meat, trim off any loose fat and skin. Then apply a spice rub to flavor the meat and form a crusty surface called a bark while it smokes. Typically, pulled pork rub will have sugar (usually brown), salt, paprika, pepper (any combination of black, white, or red), and dried herbs.
Smoking
While you can use any mild wood to smoke pork, hickory and/or oak are traditional. You will want an even temperature of around 225 F/100 C and you need to keep the smoker temperature below 265 F/130 C no matter what. Too high of a temperature will make the meat tough.
Pulling the Pork
Once the pork is done, remove it from the smoker and let it sit for about 30 minutes. Now you are ready to pull. Ideally, the meat will be so tender that you can simply pull it apart with your hands or two forks. This allows you to separate out the meat from everything else. Place the meat in a pot over low heat to keep it warm.
What is Pork Cushion Meat?
Pork cushion is a triangular-shaped cut that’s taken from the anterior side of the picnic ham, which is also called the picnic shoulder. While pork butt can be sold either boneless or bone-in, the cushion is always boneless. The exact shape and size may vary, depending on how the meat is butchered.
About Pork Cushion
The pork cushion comes from the shoulder region of the animal—specifically, the segment known as the picnic shoulder. It’s cut from the anterior side and usually takes on a triangular shape, although this may vary depending on how the butcher carves up the spoils.
Pork Cushion vs Pork Butt
Although pork cushion and pork butt both come from the animal’s front leg, there are a few notable differences between the two.
Where to Buy Pork Cushion
Some larger supermarket chains, such as Safeway, will stock pork cushion meat. If you can’t find it on the shelves, ask a sales associate for help.
How To Cook Pork Cushion Meat
As we mentioned, low-and-slow cooking applications are the best way to go, especially if you’re preparing pork cushion for the first time. The pork should be cooked to an internal temperature of 205 degrees Fahrenheit to make it tender and succulent.
Making Pulled Pork With Pork Cushion Meat
To make pork cushion pulled pork, start with 3 pounds of meat. If you’d like to speed the cooking process along, you can cut the meat into 3 separate chunks before you apply the rub.
Other Ideas for Pork Cushion Meat
Although the meat can be tough and chewy if it’s not cooked properly, there are ways to tenderize pork cushion so it can be enjoyed in multiple ways.
