master-cooks | The Inexpensive Cut Of Pork That's Perfect For BBQ Beginners

For those new to the art of barbecue, diving into cooking with pork can be a rewarding experience, especially when starting with an inexpensive cut that offers both flavor and tenderness. Pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, is an ideal choice for BBQ beginners due to its forgiving nature and robust taste. This cut is marbled with fat, which helps keep the meat moist during the cooking process, making it difficult to overcook and perfect for long, slow methods like smoking or roasting. The connective tissues within the pork shoulder break down beautifully over low heat, resulting in tender, juicy meat that pulls apart easily. It's also a versatile cut that can absorb a variety of flavors, whether you prefer a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce or a spicy dry rub. Additionally, pork shoulder is widely available and budget-friendly, allowing novices to practice their BBQ techniques without a hefty investment. As you refine your skills, you’ll find that this cut offers a satisfying blank canvas for experimenting with different wood chips, marinades, and cooking times. Embracing pork shoulder as a starting point in your barbecue journey can lead to mouthwatering results and an increased confidence in your culinary abilities.

Pork shoulders for pulled pork

Pork shoulder is a richly marbled cut that easily falls apart when cooked just right. It can be confusingly called "pork butt" or "Boston butt," but rest assured, it comes from the front muscles of the pig. The term "butt" actually originates from an old New England word for the large barrels used to store these budget-friendly cuts. Unlike the typically roasted pork butt, pork shoulder is quite versatile and shines when barbecued, which involves a slower, longer cooking process compared to the quicker method of grilling. If you're new to barbecuing pork, the shoulder will still taste delicious even if you slightly overcook or undercook it.

As Robbie Shoults noted, the shoulder is often served as a pulled pork sandwich, similar to those offered at Shoults' Bear Creek Smokehouse. At home, you can shred the pork by hand or achieve more uniform results by using a knife or two forks. If you plan to make pulled pork frequently, you might consider investing in Bear Paws handheld meat shredders to make the process cleaner. No matter how you choose to shred your pork, pairing it with pickles or a side of coleslaw is a classic and tangy way to enhance the meal.

The Inexpensive Cut Of Pork That's Perfect For BBQ Beginners

Pork shoulders for pulled pork

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