Pork butt is a cut of meat that is cherished by barbecue enthusiasts and home cooks alike But when it comes to shopping for pork butt, many find themselves wondering how much does a pork butt actually weigh?
This flavorful cut can vary quite a bit in size, leaving many confused about what to expect when purchasing pork butt for pulled pork, roasting, or other recipes
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pork butt weight ranges, factors that affect weight, how to select the right size, prep tips, and more. Keep reading for the complete lowdown on this popular pork cut.
What Is Pork Butt?
Before diving into weights and sizes, let’s start with the basics: what is pork butt?
Despite the name, pork butt does not actually come from the rear end of the pig. This is a common misconception.
Pork butt is a cut of meat that comes from the upper portion of the front leg, specifically the top of the shoulder It contains portions of the shoulder blade as well as parts of the neck.
This rectangular cut has a good amount of marbling and connective tissue. It’s also known as Boston butt or Boston shoulder.
The name “pork butt” originated in the 1800s when Boston was a major pork packing and export hub. Cuts from the upper shoulder were packed into barrels called “butts” for shipping. Hence, Boston butt.
Why Is Pork Butt Popular For Pulled Pork?
The pork butt is hugely popular for making pulled pork. This is thanks to its marbling, generous fat cap, and plentiful connective tissue.
When slow-cooked using methods like smoking, roasting, or braising, these elements break down into succulent, fork-tender meat that pulls apart easily. The fat also bastes the meat, keeping it juicy and adding flavor.
Pork butt’s mild flavor profile pairs well with spice rubs and bold barbecue sauces. It also takes to long cooking times without drying out. These factors make it perfect for iconic southern-style pulled pork.
Weight Range Of Pork Butt
Now, onto the pressing question: how much does a pork butt weigh?
There’s quite a large range when it comes to pork butt weights. Here are the typical size ranges:
- Whole bone-in pork butt: 5 to 10 pounds
- Boneless pork butt: 4 to 8 pounds
- Whole pork shoulder (butt + picnic): 12 to 18 pounds
The weight depends on the size of the market hog and whether the bone and skin are removed. Larger roasts come from older, bigger pigs.
It’s worth noting that pork butt shrinks significantly when cooked. You can expect it to lose 40-50% of its original raw weight.
So a 10-pound raw pork butt may yield just 5 pounds of finished, cooked meat. This is important to factor in when calculating how much you need.
Factors That Influence Pork Butt Weight
Several factors impact the weight of a pork butt beyond just the hog’s size. Here are some of the key influences:
- Bone-in vs boneless: Bone-in pork butt weighs more than boneless. The bone accounts for 1⁄4 to 1⁄3 of the total weight.
- Fat cap: A thick fat cap adds weight but renders away mostly when cooked.
- Trim: An untrimmed pork butt with excess fat intact will weigh more than a neatly trimmed one.
- Collagen content: More collagen equals greater moisture retention and therefore more weight.
- Slaughter weight: Heavier market hogs produce larger, heavier primal cuts like the pork butt.
The upshot is that weight can swing up or down based on all these variables. While the average is 5 to 10 pounds, it’s not unusual to see outside of this range.
Selecting The Right Size Pork Butt
When shopping for pork butt, keep the following tips in mind:
- For pulled pork: Allow 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 pound per person. A 10-pound raw roast feeds 12 to 18.
- For roasting: Choose mini 3-pound roasts for weeknight meals. Go larger for big gatherings.
- Best for competition BBQ: Stick to 8-pounders. Larger roasts don’t cook as evenly.
- Get the right marbling: Look for nice fat streaking throughout especially in the “money muscle.”
- High-quality fat cap: Pick roasts with at least a 1⁄4 inch layer of white, firm fat on top.
- Trustworthy source: Buy from warehouse stores or trusted butchers/markets with good turnover.
Aim for the 5 to 10 pound range, but don’t be afraid to go smaller or larger depending on your needs. Use 1/3 pound per person as a planning guideline.
Preparing and Cooking Pork Butt
Once you’ve got the ideal pork butt, it’s time to prep and cook it. Here are some tips:
- Season well: Generously rub the meat with spices, herbs, and other flavorings. Get into all the nooks and crannies.
- Sear for extra flavor: Brown the roast on all sides in a hot pan before low-and-slow cooking.
- Low and slow: Cook at 225°F to 300°F for up to 2 hours per pound until fork tender.
- Monitor temp: Cook to 195°F to 205°F internal temperature for ideal pull-apart meat.
- Let it rest: Give it a 30 minute rest for juices to redistribute before pulling/slicing.
Pork butt can be prepared many ways beyond smoking. Roasting, braising, instant pot, and more all yield delicious results.
Freezing and Storing Pork Butt
Pork butt freezes beautifully for 6 to 9 months when properly packaged. Here are some storage tips:
- Portion before freezing: Cut roasts into 3-4 pound sections for easier thawing.
- Wrap tightly: Use plastic wrap and foil to create an airtight package.
- Label: Mark contents and date before freezing.
- Thaw in fridge: Give 2-3 days for even, safe thawing.
- Reheat gently: Use the oven or slow cooker to warm frozen pork without drying it out.
Freezing in portions allows you to defrost only what’s needed. This prevents waste and makes the most of your pork butt purchase.
Get Your Ideal Pork Butt Weight
While pork butt weight varies quite a bit, understanding the typical size ranges and cooking yields will help you pick the perfect roast for your needs.
Aim for 1/3 to 1/2 pound finished meat per person. Select roasts between 5 and 10 pounds based on your gathering size. And adjust up or down depending on bone, fat cap, and other factors.
With the right pork butt size and a flavorful dry rub or marinade, you’re on your way to mouthwatering pulled pork success!
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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
How long does it take to cook a 10 lb Boston butt at 250 degrees?
FAQ
How much does a whole pork shoulder weigh?
How long to smoke a 10lb pork butt?
How much does a whole pork butt weigh?
The whole pork butt is a rectangular roast weighing 6-10 pounds and containing a portion of the shoulder blade bone. It is sold bone-in or boneless; if boneless, a whole roast may be cut into half portions. The whole picnic weighs 6-9 pounds. It contains a portion of the foreleg and is usually sold with some skin attached.
What is a pork butt?
The pork butt is taken from the upper portion of the hog’s front shoulder and sits above the pork shoulder cut. The word “butt” in “pork butt” refers to the containers that cheap pork cuts were packed in for shipment or storage in the 1700s. A whole pork butt weighs between 6 and 10 pounds and is a rectangular-shaped roast cut.
How much meat can a 8 pound pork butt eat?
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. If you know you’ll be serving people with heartier appetites, aim for 1/2 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.