Meat
Boston Butt
Boston butt is the upper shoulder of the pig—blade bone in or out—well marbled and webbed with connective tissue that melts under low heat. Despite the name it is not from the rear; colonial New England packed these shoulders in barrels (“butts”) for trade. It is the classic cut for American pulled pork and many Mexican al pastor-style spits when sliced thin. Cook low and slow until the blade wiggles free and a probe sinks with little resistance. Smoke for bark, braise for shredding, or cube for stew. Fat bastes the meat; leave a cap for moisture. Rest before pulling across the grain. Dry rubs with paprika, brown sugar, and chilli suit smoke; cumin and citrus suit braises.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 12.4 g
- Saturated Fat 4.89 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.99 g
- Cholesterol 68.8 mg
- Sodium 62.4 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 22.6 g
- Water 61.2 g
- Energy 193 kcal
- Water 61.2 g
- Protein 22.6 g
- Fat 12.4 g
- Saturated Fat 4.89 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 5.15 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0.99 g
- Omega-3 0.1 g
- Trans Fat 0.2 g
- Vitamins 36.6 mg
- Vitamin A 15 µg
- Vitamin B1 — Thiamine 0.68 mg
- Vitamin B2 — Riboflavin 0.19 mg
- Vitamin B3 — Niacin 5.23 mg
- Vitamin B5 — Pantothenic Acid 0.56 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.37 mg
- Vitamin B7 — Biotin 2.3 µg
- Vitamin B9 — Folate 7.3 µg
- Vitamin B12 — Cobalamin 1.2 µg
- Vitamin C 2 mg
- Vitamin D 0.2 µg
- Vitamin E 0.27 mg
- Vitamin K 1.3 µg
- Minerals 376 mg
- Major Minerals 374 mg
- Trace Minerals 1.5 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Salt 0.15 g
- Cholesterol 68.8 mg
Vitamins
vitamin-c: 2 · vitamin-b12-cobalamin: 1.2 · vitamin-a: 15 · vitamin-b1-thiamine: 0.68 · vitamin-b2-riboflavin: 0.19 · vitamin-b3-niacin: 5.23 · vitamin-b5-pantothenic-acid: 0.56 · vitamin-b6: 0.37 · vitamin-b7-biotin: 2.3 · vitamin-b9-folate: 7.3 · vitamin-d: 0.2 · vitamin-e: 0.27 · vitamin-k: 1.3 ·
Minerals
Boston Butt of Pork: composition reflects this culinary part relative to the whole ingredient.
History
New England barrel packing named the upper shoulder “butt” for coastal pork trade.
Southern barbecue pits made smoked Boston butt the foundation of pulled-pork sandwiches.
Competition smokers refined wrap, stall management, and bark on bone-in butts for contest trays.