Protein Food
Pork Shoulder
About This Entry
Pork shoulder is a collagen-rich cut ideal for pulled pork, carnitas, and long smoking. Fat and smoke marry with Zinfandel, Grenache, and rustic medium reds with spice.
Beginner Guide
Boston butt is actually the upper shoulder — not the rear of the hog. Low and slow cooking breaks down connective tissue into tender pulled meat.
FAQ
- What is Pork Shoulder?
- Boston butt is actually the upper shoulder — not the rear of the hog.
- How should Pork Shoulder be cooked?
- Cook to safe internal temperature; richer cuts tolerate slow cooking, smoke, and braising that build pairing-friendly flavor.
At a Glance
Group
Pork
Classification
Animal Protein Foods
Scientific name
Sus scrofa domesticus
Scientific Classification
- Display name
- Pork Shoulder
- Classification
- Animal Protein Foods
- Group
- Pork
- Scientific name
- Sus scrofa domesticus
Taxonomy
- Cut type
- roast
- Anatomical cut
- shoulder
- Bone state
- bone in
- Processing state
- fresh
- Fat content
- moderate
- Primary cooking methods
- smoke, braise, roast
- Recommended doneness
- well done