Pork butt is a cut of meat that comes from the upper part of the pig’s shoulder. It’s a flavorful and inexpensive cut that’s often used for pulled pork sandwiches, carnitas, or other slow-cooked pork dishes.
But when you’re shopping for a pork butt, the name can be deceiving – it doesn’t actually come from the rear end of the pig. And when you pick one up at the store or butcher shop, you may be wondering exactly how much a pork butt weighs.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about pork butt weights, including:
- What part of the pig a pork butt comes from
- The average weight range of a pork butt
- Factors that affect pork butt weights
- How to choose the right size pork butt for your needs
- Tips for cooking different sizes of pork butt
What Is A Pork Butt?
Despite the name, a pork butt (also known as Boston butt or Boston-style shoulder) doesn’t come from the rear of the pig. It’s cut from the upper part of the front leg, or shoulder.
This section contains parts of the neck, shoulder blade, and upper arm. It’s a nicely marbled cut of meat that contains a good amount of fat and connective tissue
The name “pork butt” comes from colonial New England. Back then, this cut was packed into casks called “butts” for storage and transportation. The name stuck, even after the pork was no longer stored that way.
Average Pork Butt Weights
On average, a boneless pork butt will weigh between 4-8 pounds. Bone-in pork butts are typically a little heavier, ranging from 6-10 pounds.
However, pork butts can sometimes be larger or smaller than this range:
- Whole pork shoulder (both the butt and picnic shoulder): 12-18 pounds
- Extra-large pork butts: Up to 15 pounds or more
- Smaller pork butts: As light as 3 pounds
In general, figure on purchasing 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound of uncooked pork butt per person. A 10-pound pork butt will yield around 6 pounds of cooked meat, enough for 12-18 servings.
For pulled pork sandwiches, plan on about 4 ounces (1⁄2 cup) of finished pork per sandwich.
What Impacts Pork Butt Weight?
There are a few factors that affect the weight of a pork butt:
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Bone: Bone-in pork butts weigh more than boneless. The bone accounts for 1-2 pounds of weight.
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Fat cap: Pork butts with a thicker fat cap will be heavier. Butcher shops can trim off some of the fat to reduce weight.
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Packer trim: Commercial pork butts are well-trimmed of excess fat and skin. Minimally trimmed butts from heritage breed pigs may have more waste.
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Water weight: In enhanced pork (injected with a salt solution), up to 10% of the weight can be from the solution.
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Breed/diet: Heritage breed hogs raised outdoors tend to have heavier bone structure and more fat. Commercial pork is leaner.
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Market weight: Average commercially raised hogs are slaughtered at around 250 pounds. Larger pigs produce heavier pork primals.
Choosing The Right Size Pork Butt
When selecting a pork butt, consider the following:
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For pulled pork, choose a bone-in butt between 6-8 pounds. Boneless butts around 5 pounds also work well.
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Larger cuts over 10 pounds can be challenging to cook evenly. Stick with smaller roasts.
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Get 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person. A 8-10 pound butt feeds 16-24.
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Inspect the fat cap and marbling. Optimal is 1⁄4-1⁄2 inch of white fat cap and ample marbling.
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Try to buy enhanced (injected) pork only if necessary. It can affect texture.
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For smoker competitions, choose an 8 pound butt with nice marbling for best results.
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Buy pork butt in cryovac packaging whenever possible for maximum freshness.
Cooking Different Pork Butt Sizes
You can cook a pork butt whole or cut it into smaller sections. Here are some tips:
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For roasts over 8 pounds, it’s best to cut them in half. They’ll cook more evenly.
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Cook multiple smaller roasts together instead of one huge one. Arrange them evenly in the cooker.
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With bone-in roasts, position them meat-side up or fat-side up. Either method works well.
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Allow 1-1.5 hours per pound at 225-275°F. An 8 pound butt takes 10-12 hours.
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Use a meat thermometer to determine doneness, not cook time. Pull it at 195°F.
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Let it rest 30-60 minutes before pulling or slicing. This allows juices to reabsorb.
Freezing and Storing Pork Butt
Pork butt freezes exceptionally well. Here are some tips:
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Chill in the fridge before freezing. Freeze within 2-3 days of purchasing.
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Double wrap in plastic wrap and foil. This prevents freezer burn.
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For whole roasts, freeze as-is. For pulled pork, shred then freeze in portions.
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Frozen pork butt lasts 4-6 months in the freezer before quality declines.
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Thaw in the fridge, allowing 1-2 days for a full pork butt. Do not thaw at room temperature.
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Cook frozen pork butt as you would fresh. Just allow a little more time in the oven or smoker.
When it comes to pork butt weights, bone-in roasts typically range from 6-10 pounds and boneless 4-8 pounds. Larger and smaller sizes are also available. Allow 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per serving when estimating quantities to purchase. Factors like bone, fat, and breed affect weight. For the best results, select a moderately sized butt under 10 pounds with ample marbling. Whether cooking fresh or frozen, use a thermometer to determine doneness. At around 195°F, the pork will be perfect for slicing or pulling into succulent, smokey shreds.
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The pork shoulder is one of the four primal cuts of a Hog. A primal cut is a section of meat that is cut from the whole carcass of an animal. Each primal cut is then further processed into retail cuts. The upper part of the pork shoulder, called the Boston Butt or Pork Butt, weighs between 14 and 18 pounds. The lower part, called the Picnic shoulder, weighs the same amount. The Boston Butt weighs between 6-8 lbs. It has a lot of connective tissue and a lot of marbled spots. It is usually used to make pulled pork. When you want to make pulled pork, you season the butt and smoke it at a low temperature for a long time. This breaks down all the connective tissue.
The market price on the Boston Butt does vary throughout the year. When the market is down, I’ll always put them on sale. My customers really appreciate it!!! I recommend it to people who are looking to feed a large crowd. It’s a cheap, big piece of meat that gives you a lot of meat and isn’t too hard to cook.
When shopping for a Boston Butt always choose one with the bone for more flavor. Make sure there is a thin, even layer of fat on top (at least ¼ inch) so that it can melt while it’s cooking. Ask your butcher to score the fat so your rub can get deep into the meat.
The Boston Butt will lose about 35-40 percent of its original raw weight when cooked. That’s due to the large amounts of fat and the bone. An 8lb. Butt will yield about 5lbs. of cooked meat and will serve about 10-12 people.
Here are some more tips:
– Use bear claw shredders! They help take the butt off your smoker and are great for pulling the meat apart.
-Make sure the internal temperature reaches 195 to 200 degrees and let it rest for 45-60 minutes. This will ensure an easy removal of the bone and shredding.
-Make enough to have leftovers!! There are endless recipes for leftover pulled pork.
I’ve made something out of pulled pork for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
Check out Kevin’s video on Perfectly Smoked Pork Shoulder
Pulled Pork (Pork Butt) Yield Explained. How Much Pulled Pork Out Of A Pork Butt.
FAQ
How much does 10 lbs of pulled pork feed?
How much weight does bone add to pork shoulder?
How much does 1lb of pulled pork serve?
How much does a 8 pound pork butt weigh?
Since we prefer to err on the side of caution, we estimate that the meat will weigh half as much after it’s cooked. This means you can expect an 8-pound pork butt to yield about 4 pounds of cooked meat. When it comes to smoked meat like pork shoulder and pork butt, the rule of thumb is 1/3 pound per person.
How much does a pork shoulder weigh?
A whole pork shoulder weighs between 12 and 18 pounds, but it’s usually divided into two sections: the pork butt and the picnic shoulder. Pork butt might weigh between 5 and 10 pounds, while a picnic shoulder typically comes in around 4 to 10 pounds. You can expect the meat to shrink down by 40 or 50 percent as it cooks.
How big should a pork butt be?
However, roasts that are outside this range cook just fine. In fact, some competition barbecue teams like pork butts as large at 10 pounds each. Choose pork butt with a smooth, firm, white fat cap and a good amount of fat marbling within the meat itself. The meat should be red-pink in color with a coarse grain.
How much does a boneless pork roast weigh?
The boneless variety can usually be found in slabs between 4 and 8 pounds, while the bone-in cuts are slightly larger. If you opt for the pork butt, expect the roast to weigh 5 to 10 pounds. These are sold both bone-in and boneless as well. It might be possible to find smaller portions, but we prefer to buy as much as we can fit in the smoker.