Pork is such a versatile meat. It’s incredibly affordable and can be used in so many different types of recipes. If you’re unfamiliar with pork shoulder, it’s generally referred to as a whole pork butt, which has plenty of other names like country-style pork shoulder, boneless country-style ham, or even back bacon. But whatever you call it, this cut of meat is sure to be loved by your family and friends.
That being said, not all pork butts are created equal. Some will give you an insanely delicious end product while others might leave you wondering what went wrong during the cooking process. You see, pork butts come in varying degrees of quality depending on where they were raised and how they were fed before slaughtering them.
Some farms do their best to raise healthy pigs while others don’t give a second thought to their animal brothers and sisters as they pass through the gates into their fates. This article will discuss everything you need to know about cooking a perfect pork shoulder for your family dinner or for your barbecue party.
What is Pork Shoulder?
Pork shoulder is a cut of meat that comes from the shoulder of the pig. Many people refer to it as a shoulder roast. Shoulder meat is generally one of the most affordable cuts of pork and is easy to find at most supermarkets.
It’s also one of the more versatile meats because it can be cooked in so many types of recipes. Pork shoulder is used in both whole and boneless cuts. This means that you can use it to make a variety of dishes. It’s an excellent choice for soups, casseroles, stews, and other one-pot meals. You can also use it to make shredded pork, pulled pork, and other types of sausages.
How to Cook Pork Shoulder
There are a few factors to consider when it comes to cooking pork shoulder. First, you need to make sure that the pork is at room temperature before cooking it. Cold pork will result in tough meat and cold pork should be thrown out. Second, pork shoulder can be cooked low and slow or you can sear it first and then cook it on high heat.
For tender and juicy pork, we recommend a combination of low and slow cooking and quick roasting using a combination of indirect heat and direct heat. You can also brine pork shoulder before cooking it to add a little extra flavour and moisture to the meat. When it comes to pork shoulder recipes, you’ll first want to decide whether you want to make sausages, pulled pork, or sliced roast pork.
The sausages will have a slightly different recipe as they will have to have a greater amount of salt added to them to keep them from spoiling. You can make pulled pork or sliced roast pork and you can then re-heat it in a slow cooker or on the grill to make it even more delicious.
When Can You Cook Pork Shoulder?
Pork shoulder is a versatile cut of meat that can be used in a variety of recipes. You can use it for soups, stews, casseroles, and more. It’s also a great choice for making sausages.
If you’re looking to cook some pork shoulder, you can do so anytime from September to March. While pork shoulder is great throughout the year, you’ll want to make sure you avoid cooking it in the summer months. During this time, the meat will be much too warm and it will result in mushy and flavourless meat.
Tips Before Cooking Your Pork Shoulder
Because pork shoulder is a very fatty cut of meat, you’ll want to make sure that you trim off any excess fat before cooking it. This can be done by placing the pork shoulder in the fridge overnight or by trimming off the excess fat during the cooking process with a sharp knife or even a pair of kitchen shears.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that you season the pork shoulder well before cooking it. Seasoning pork shoulder will give it a great flavour and will make it more tender during the cooking process. You can season the pork shoulder by mixing your favourite seasonings with some olive oil or even butter.
Finally, pork shoulder is a very versatile cut of meat. Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that you purchase it from a reputable farm where the pigs were raised humanely. You don’t want to end up with a sub-par piece of meat.
How to Safely Store Your Pork Shoulder
If you’re planning on cooking your pork shoulder right away, you’ll want to make sure that you store it properly. Because it’s a very fatty cut of pork, it should be stored in the fridge. If you don’t have any room in the fridge, you can also store the pork shoulder in a freezer-safe container.
Pork shoulder will last for at least five days in the fridge. After that time, you can then safely re-heat it by placing the pork shoulder in the oven or on the grill. You’ll want to avoid re-heating pork shoulder in a microwave because the heat will be too high and you’ll end up with soggy and rubbery meat. Freezing pork shoulder can also be done, but it should be done immediately after cooking.
You’ll want to make sure that you wrap the pork shoulder in tin foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. When pork shoulder is frozen, it will last for up to 12 months in the freezer.
Final Words
If you’ve read through this article, then you now know everything you need to know about cooking pork shoulder. It might be a little bit more challenging than cooking other cuts of pork, but the results are worth it. With a little bit of know-how, you can create some incredible dishes with pork shoulder. Make sure that you follow these steps and you’ll end up with some delicious pork shoulder.
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