Pork shoulder is a cut of meat that’s not only affordable, but it’s also versatile and easy to prepare. And since pork shoulder doesn’t have a strong or gamey taste, it works well in braises and stews as well as being smoked. That’s why you can find pork shoulder at most supermarkets. Here are our recommendations where you can buy the best pork shoulder:
What is pork shoulder?
Pork shoulder is a cut of meat that’s made from the shoulder (or “pin”) of a hog. It’s a low-fat piece of meat that’s flavorful, but not as strong in taste as other cuts of pork, which is why it’s often used in dishes that need a more subtle pork taste. Pork shoulder is usually sold boned and skinned, making it an excellent choice for slow-cooking. The meat can be eaten on its own, or it can be used to make a variety of dishes, like pulled pork and pork tacos.
How to choose the best pork shoulder?
Pork shoulders can come from all different types of hogs. Pork shoulders with a higher fat content tend to have more flavor and are therefore preferred over leaner pork shoulders. The meat should be firm, but not hard and dry. The best pork shoulders will have marbling that’s an even 3-to-1 ratio of lean to fat.
Don’t buy pork shoulder unless…
You plan to make pulled pork. – You’re looking for a more intense pork flavor.
Tips and tricks for cooking with pork shoulder
Pork shoulder can be cooked in the Instant Pot, oven roasted, grilled, or smoked. Pork shoulder can be used in a variety of recipes, pulled pork to nachos. Pork shoulder is usually sold in one of two cuts: a boneless pork shoulder or a bone-in pork shoulder. Pork shoulder can be purchased at most supermarkets. Costco pork shoulder is a great option. Pork shoulder can also be purchased online at specialty stores and websites.
5 great places to buy pork shoulder online
Porter Road: This company delivers pork shoulder to your door using ice packs. You’ll need a refrigerator or a freezer to store it, but this is the best way to get high quality pork shoulder delivered straight to your house. The pork shoulder should be thawed out before cooking. Leave it in the refrigerator for a few days before cooking, or store in a freezer.
The Meat Hook: This online shop specializes in selling cuts of meat that are often hard to find at most supermarkets, including pork shoulder. Your pork shoulder will be delivered in bulk, right to your door.
Butcher Box: This subscription-box service delivers pork shoulder to your home every month. Butcher Box often has great new customer specials that include free bacon, wings or ground beef on your subscriptions.
Butcher Select: This online shop delivers pork shoulder to your door in bulk. It also has a subscription program where you can get a pork shoulder delivered to your home every month.
Snake River Farms: If you’re looking for the highest quality cut of pork shoulder, look no further than Snake River Farms. SRF sells Kurobuta pork that is amazing slow cooked for a mountain of pulled pork or cut into roasts for braising or cubes for stews. This shoulder is 100% Berkshire (Kurobuta) pork grown in our network of small family farms.
Final words
Pork shoulder can be used in a variety of dishes and doesn’t need a strong or gamey pork flavor to be flavorful. That makes it an excellent meat for first-time butchers looking for a versatile, low-maintenance cut of meat. When you buy pork shoulder, make sure it’s marbled with fat and that it’s not too lean. The fat will give the pork shoulder a more intense flavor and the lean meat will make the pork shoulder too dry to be enjoyable.