What is pork shoulder used for?
It’s a versatile and economical cut that takes deliciously to roasting, braising, stewing, and slow cooking. Low, moist heat turns the meat so tender and succulent, it just falls away from the bone and practically melts in the mouth. In the U.S., pork shoulder is the perfect pick for pulled pork.
How do you prepare pork shoulder?
And foremost I put my pork butt in the freezer for about 30 minutes prior to cutting this is gonna
Can I use pork shoulder for pulled pork?
The classic cut for pulled pork is a pork shoulder, which you may also see named at the store as pork butt or Boston butt. … For a leaner pulled pork, you can get away with using the top loin boneless roast, but it won’t be as moist as your typical pulled pork.
What should pork shoulder be cooked to?
For pulled pork, the ideal temperature is 205°F. The high internal temperature allows collagen to break down, making the meat very tender. Keep in mind that the pork shoulder will continue to cook internally by 10 degrees even after it’s been removed from the grill.
Is pulled pork shoulder or butt better?
While pork butt might be the best choice for pulled pork, pork shoulder is best if you want a bit of crisp to your meat. With the skin left on, pork shoulder is perfect for pork crackling or skin.
How do you know when pork shoulder is done?
The pork is done when it is fork-tender (when the meat can be easily pierced with a fork without resistance and easily falls apart with a little pressure). If you’re cooking pork on the bone, the meat should be falling off the bone.
Should you wrap a pork shoulder in foil?
Wrap in aluminum foil to keep the meat from getting too much smoke and to catch the moisture being released during the cooking process.
Should I wrap a pork shoulder?
While not all pitmasters wrap their meat in the final stages of a cook—in barbecue circles, wrapping in foil is known as the “Texas crutch”—wrapping is an effective way of finishing a long cook time without drying out the smoking meat (after 10 hours, a bone-in smoking pork shoulder should register an internal …
What temperature should you wrap a pork shoulder?
If you’re planning to wrap your pork butt in foil, the best time to do it is when the pork butt has achieved an internal temperature of 150 to 170 degrees, or about two-thirds of the way through the cooking time. This will give it the best possible combination of flavor and texture.
What liquid do you use for pulled pork?
Add about 1/4 Cup Liquid Per Pound of Pork
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Aromatics aside, the actual liquid you put in the crock pot is what will flavor the pork the most. I use the term “liquid” loosely—some of your liquid could be ketchup or barbecue sauce or mustard.
Do you cut the fat off pork shoulder before slow cooking?
Pork shoulder has a good amount of fat layer on the surface. Make sure to cut away most of the excess fat, leaving just a small amount for flavor. This will make it easier to remove the fat later when making the barbecue sauce.
What pork do you use for pulled pork?
What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork? Pork shoulder is ideal for pulling purposes. It has an optimum fat content that yields to create tender, melty meat, but it’s essential you cook it slowly to allow the protein to break down properly.