Picnic Shoulder or Butt?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

saltbranch

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Sep 10, 2008
82
10
Did my 1st Picnic this past weekend and it came out great. I have my Son's B-day party this Sunday and he wants pulled pork again. So having never done a Butt, is it any better for pulled pork over a shoulder? My current plan is to cook saturday and reheat in crockpot for the party Sunday.

Thanks
 
There are two parts to a pork shoulder, one is the picnic which is what you have already done then the butt (aka Boston Butt.) It's all shoulder just different parts.

I forget the difference, I started out with the bone in butt and never had a picnic. I know I went with the butt for some reason as I think it has been favored over the picnic.

Sorry I couldn't be more help but I'm sure someone else will.
 
Last edited:
The shoulders my way are about .60 a pound cheaper and if smoked right about the same in taste, purists will insist on a butt, I say try one and be the judge. Here's a cut chart for you.
icon14.gif


f8b1413f_1000x500px-LL-02e26510_porkcuts.jpg
 
Pound for Pound the Butt (upper shoulder) is more meaty with less waste, skin, fat and bone, than a Picnic (lower leg). BUT the Picnic being a more active group of muscles, is made up of somewhat more connective tissue (collagen) and along with having more bone in contact with the meat, may yield a more flavorful batch of PP. As my esteemed colleagues above have stated, try the Butt this time and see if you have a preference...JJ
 
Last edited:
X2 on JJ.  With the extra waste on the picnic, the price would have to be quite a bit less to balance the cost.  If cost and waste are not an issue?  Why not try both and let us know how it goes?

Good luck and good smoking
 
You guys beat me to it.

Some folks have done Picnic and Butts and mix during shredding to get the best of both worlds

I usually do Butts but on occasion will do picnic depending on price and availability.
 
Doing 1 of each is what was thinking...will post up pics this weekend
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Hot Threads

Clicky