Help please. I bought what I thought were two fresh untrained bone-in butts. The shape of them made me question it but the butcher assured me that they were exactly what I wanted for pulled pork. I’ve bought butts numerous times in the past, but not from this butcher. Below are the pictures. I think I have the butt and some of the picnic maybe??
all I care about is will it be good for pulled pork and what’d I buy
Bottom pic- looks like the Butt portion is on the top and the Picnic is the bottom somewhat curved section. Ya got the whole shoulder, in beef it's called the Clod.
I agree with Jerod. Yes it will work for pulled pork. I have cooked several shoulders and they come out great. I'm using up some of the left over bones and meat from one right now to make some navy bean soup.
Plus I'll be cooking another on Thursday for my Daughter and her partner.
Last edited by ofelles; September 25, 2021, 01:09 PM.
One more question. One of the cryovac shoulders had a sell by date of 9/19. I opened it and it smelled fine. I called the butcher and they said it should be ok. I’m assuming I’m still good but figured I’d ask you all.
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That's what they call a "whole Boston butt." It will be great for pulled pork! When I first started smoking, I couldn't get butts near me so I only smoked picnics for quite a few years. They always came out great. The only downside is they have a lot more bone in them so you don't get the same yield as you do with a proper butt. Also, the picnic generally has the rind on it which also detracts from your yield per purchased pound. My local ShopRite still only carries picnics which they do several ways: besides the regular picnic roast, they sell them sliced (about ½" thick) cubed and, recently, boned and rolled. But I can now get butts at BJ's or Giant and sometimes Walmart.
Thanks! I’ve always bought the cryovac butts from BJs or Sams. They are shaped sort of like a giant cube and look like a meteor when done. This had some rind on it and that was a bit of a PITA. They both went on last night at 10:30 pm with a big hunk of applewood. They are in the stall now.
Navy Bean Soup, Brother!!! :Staple of my upbringin, alongside some cornbread, an greens (when in season) 
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