Hi Reader,

Years ago, I bought a pork butt the size of a toddler because it was on sale. What I didn’t realize is that pork butt isn’t just a cut of meat—it’s a commitment. A long-term relationship.

That damn thing followed me through the week like a houseguest who wouldn’t take a hint. But oh, the glory when I finally got it right. A slow roast one night, tacos the next, and then, in a stroke of culinary genius (or desperation), pulled-pork fried rice. The One swore it was my finest moment.
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That’s the beauty of pork butt—it’s the ultimate second-chance ingredient. You can’t really screw it up unless you forget it in the oven for three days, and even then, it’s probably still delicious. It’s the culinary equivalent of a friend who always shows up, even when you’ve double-booked or burnt the sauce. So if you’re looking for flavor, comfort, and a little edible grace, this is your week.

How to Treat Pork Butt Right

• Patience is your superpower. Low and slow wins every time—give the meat time to melt into itself.
• Don’t fear the fat. It’s the magic that bastes from within and gives you that luscious, fall-apart texture.
• Layer flavor early. Rubs, marinades, or brines—let the pork butt soak up your personality before the heat even hits.
• Plan for leftovers. This cut was made for encore performances—tacos, sandwiches, soups, and even fried rice.
• Finish with a flourish. A drizzle of something bright—vinegar, citrus, hot sauce—turns richness into revelation.

One Clarifying Point

You know the old phrase, "He doesn't know his ass from his elbow?" It's surprisingly applicable to pork butt and pork shoulder.

Sooooo many people think that pork butt is the heinie of a pig. It's not. (That’s the ham).

Pork butt is actually a squarish cut from the upper shoulder. It’s called a Boston Butt because back in colonial New England, butchers crammed these less-desirable shoulder cuts into specialty barrels called “butts.” It’s basically "barrel meat," but much tastier than that sounds.

The pork shoulder (or picnic roast) is the lower, triangular portion—the part that actually contains the elbow. It’s a bit tougher and more muscular.

Grocery stores often use the terms interchangeably, and for the recipes below, you can use either. Whether you're Team Butt or Team Elbow, as long as you cook it low and slow, everyone's a winner.

Class dismissed.

WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Slow Cooker Pulled Pork​
• ​Roast Pork Butt​
• ​Pork Casserole With Apples & Cider​
• ​Smoked Pork Shoulder​
• ​Pork Tinga​
• ​Pork Tacos​
• ​Pulled Pork Sandwiches​
• ​Quick Posole With Pork​
• ​Chashu Pork Ramen​

​Slow Cooker Pulled Pork​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.79 from 14 votes

This slow cooker pulled pork is easy to make with pork shoulder, aka pork butt, onion, beer, sugar, and spices, and it capably feeds a crowd. (Just be certain to stash some in the back of the fridge so you have leftovers.)

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​Roast Pork Butt​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.79 from 437 votes

This roast pork butt, coated in a simple rub of brown sugar, paprika, cumin, and red pepper flakes, is an easy recipe to make and yields enough pulled pork to feed a small army. Perfect for Super Bowl, weekend bashes, and weeknight dinners. Best of all, it can be roasted in the oven.

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​Pork Casserole With Apples & Cider​

This pork casserole with apples and cider, made with slow-cooked pork shoulder that's gently braised in a cider gravy with apples and mustard, is autumn comfort food at its finest.

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​Smoked Pork Shoulder​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.75 from 20 votes

When slow-smoking a pork shoulder, you should figure 1 1/2 hours per pound of pork. A 10-pound, bone-in pork shoulder takes a long time to cook, but for the majority of that time it is in the smoker. You can get it started right after breakfast and have it ready in time for dinner.

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​Pork Tinga​

Pork tinga, an authentic Mexican dish, is a slowly simmered pork stew made with roasted tomatoes, chipotle chiles, chorizo, and onions. When topped with avocado, sour cream, cilantro, queso fresco, and lime, it's comfort food at its finest.

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​Pork Tacos​

These pork tacos, made with pork, beer, spices, and soft tortillas, are wicked tender and almost like tacos al pastor. Slather, bite, repeat.

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​Pulled Pork Sandwiches​

As American as apple pie—and, if hashtags can be trusted, far trendier. It’s not hard to understand why. Knee-wobblingly tender and rich pulled pork collide with cool, crisp, tangy coleslaw to terrific effect.

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​Quick Posole With Pork​

This quick posole is an easy one-pot meal made with pork shoulder, hominy, onion, stock, spices, and all your fave toppings, that can be made in the pressure cooker or slow cooker.

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​Chashu Pork Ramen​

This chashu pork ramen will rival your local take-away spot for flavor and comfort levels. The gorgeous braising liquid is used as broth to take advantage of all the sumptuous flavors.

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