TYPES OF RETAIL CUTS IN SWINE

             TYPES OF RETAIL CUTS IN SWINE  PORK RETAIL CUTS Pork Cuts 101: A Diagram In general, the primal pork cuts from the top of the pig (like the loin) are leaner and more tender than those from the bottom. But cooking the tougher cuts (like the shoulder and the hocks) low and slow can make them tender and juicy. And it’s important to note that the cuts available at the grocery will change depending on geography – butchers from Argentina will sell slightly different cuts than, say, butchers from Italy. PORK SHOULDER, or PORK BUTT Starting from the front of the pig: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt or “Boston butt”) is generally sold as a 5 to 10 pound boneless roast at the grocery store. (Pork shoulder chops are sold with bones, but those are less common.) PICNIC HAM Immediately below the shoulder is the next cut you’re likely to find: the Picnic Ham (occasionally called the picnic shoulder). “An...

TYPES OF RETAIL CUTS IN SWINE PORK RETAIL CUTS Pork Cuts 101: A Diagram In general, the primal pork cuts from the top of the pig (like the loin) are leaner and more tender than those from the bottom. But cooking the tougher cuts (like the shoulder and the hocks) low and slow can make them tender and juicy. And it’s important to note that the cuts available at the grocery will change depending on geography – butchers from Argentina will sell slightly different cuts than, say, butchers from Italy. PORK SHOULDER, or PORK BUTT Starting from the front of the pig: Pork shoulder (also called pork butt or “Boston butt”) is generally sold as a 5 to 10 pound boneless roast at the grocery store. (Pork shoulder chops are sold with bones, but those are less common.) PICNIC HAM Immediately below the shoulder is the next cut you’re likely to find: the Picnic Ham (occasionally called the picnic shoulder). “Another total misnomer,” says Mylan. “When you hear “ham”...