Pork Shoulder Butt

Pork shoulder butt, also known as pork butt, is a cut of meat from the upper part of a pig's shoulder. It includes the Boston butt and is known for its good fat content, making it tender and flavorful when cooked. It is often sold bone-in or boneless.

Pork shoulder butt is a popular cut for slow cooking methods like braising, smoking, or roasting, yielding tender pulled pork or roasts. It is frequently used in processed meats such as sausages, bacon, and cured products like pepperoni and salami due to its fat and flavor profile. Its fat content also helps keep these products moist.

Pork shoulder butt is a source of protein, B vitamins, and minerals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not specifically regulate pork shoulder butt as a food additive. Like other red meats, high consumption has been linked in some studies to increased risk of certain chronic diseases, while other research suggests moderate consumption can be part of a healthy diet. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans, primarily linked to colorectal cancer.