As a popular cut of meat for roasting and barbecuing, the Boston butt roast often causes confusion The name sounds like it should come from a cow, but in reality this flavorful cut hails from a pig Let’s clear up the mystery and explore why Boston butt is pork, not beef.
What Part of the Pig Does Boston Butt Come From?
Despite the name, the Boston butt roast is not from the backside or rump of a pig This cut comes from the upper portion of the front shoulder, near the neck.
Specifically, it contains parts of the shoulder blade and upper arm of the pig It’s cut from the top section of the shoulder, above the lower picnic shoulder
So while the name sounds like beef, rest assured that Boston butt is 100% pork. No bulls or steers were harmed in the making of this roast!
The Origins of the Confusing Name
How did pork from the front of the pig get a name that sounds like the backside of a cow? There are several theories on the roots of “Boston butt”:
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Early Boston butchers stored pork in barrels called “butts.” The shoulder cuts were named after these containers.
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Turning pigs on their backs for slaughter was called “butting” – possibly leading to the name “butt roast.”
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It comes from the French “Baston butt,” bastardizing “baston” meaning shoulder.
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It refers to the thick, butt end of the pork shoulder.
Whatever the original reason, the name stuck even though it baffles cooks to this day!
Comparing Boston Butt to Other Pork Cuts
Boston butt comes from the pork shoulder region. Here’s how it compares to other shoulder cuts:
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Boston Butt – From upper shoulder, well-marbled with fat veins. Sold bone-in or boneless.
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Picnic Shoulder – From lower shoulder near front leg, leaner with less fat. Often has skin on.
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Pork Shoulder – General term for whole front leg. Can be divided into Boston butt and picnic.
While they come from the same general area, the Boston butt’s extensive marbling makes it perfect for moist roasting and shredding.
When to Choose Boston Butt
With its high fat content and collagen, Boston butt excels when cooked slowly using moist heat. This breaks down connective tissues and fat, resulting in succulent, fall-apart texture.
Boston butt is ideal for:
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Pulled pork – Smoked or roasted until tender and shreddable.
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Carnitas – Braised then shredded for tacos and bowls.
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Chili – Adds tender chunks and pork flavor.
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Soups and stews – Slow cooking makes it fall-apart tender.
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Ground pork – Adds marbling when made into sausage or burgers.
For maximum tenderness, flavor and moisture, opt for slow roasting, braising, or smoking Boston butt.
Flavor Profile and Cooking Tips
Boston butt has a milder pork flavor than loin or spare ribs. It also excellently absorbs any marinades, rubs or barbecue sauces applied before cooking.
Follow these tips when cooking Boston butt roast:
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Generously season with a dry rub or marinade. The meat will soak up flavors as it cooks.
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For pulled pork, smoke at 225°F or oven roast at 300°F until very tender.
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Cook to an internal temperature of 195-205°F for easy shredding.
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Let rest 20-30 minutes before pulling to reabsorb juices.
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Reserve defatted pan drippings for moistening pulled pork or making sauce.
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Shred pork and mix with reserved defatted juices and barbecue sauce to taste.
With proper prep and cooking, Boston butt becomes mouthwatering pulled pork full of smoky, succulent flavor.
The Takeaway: Boston Butt is Definitely Pork
While the name wrongly implies beef, Boston butt roast comes from the pork shoulder – not the backside of a cow. This flavorful, well-marbled cut excels when cooked low and slow until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Next time you see a Boston butt on sale, don’t hesitate to pick one up for your next pulled pork or carnitas dinner. Despite the confusing name, you can rest easy knowing this cut provides 100% porky deliciousness!
Pork Butt vs Pork Shoulder – Ace Hardware
FAQ
What is the best meat for pulled pork?
What is a pork butt roast?
Despite the name, pork butt roast (also called Boston butt) is actually cut from the upper part of the pork shoulder, not the hindquarters of the pig. It’s well-marbled and flavorful, with a good balance of fat and meat. This makes it a fantastic cut for slow roasting, smoking, grilling, slow cooking, and even pressure cooking.
What is a Boston butt pork roast?
Despite its misleading name, the Boston Butt Pork Roast is a culinary gem hailing from the upper shoulder region of the pig, not its rear end. This bone-in pork shoulder, also affectionately called the pork shoulder, boasts exceptional versatility and flavor, particularly when treated to slow and low cooking methods.
Is Boston butt a good cut of pork?
Boston butt, also called pork shoulder, is the best cut for pulled pork since it contains marbling and connective tissue that breaks down into tender, shreddable meat during low, slow cooking. Should you wrap pork butt in foil while cooking? It’s not necessary to wrap pork butt in foil while it’s roasting.
Is Boston butt a pork shoulder?
Boston butt is sometimes confused with pork shoulder or picnic roast, but they are adjoining cuts from the same part of the animal. Boston butt tends to be more oval in shape with a tapered end. When selecting a pork Boston butt to roast choose one around 4-6 pounds to serve 6-8 people.