What is the Difference between a Boston Butt and a Picnic Shoulder?
The Boston butt and picnic or picnic shoulder as it is often called, are both cuts of pork from the shoulder of the hog. This is the upper area of the front leg. The shoulder of the hog is divided into two parts. The upper part is where the Boston butt is, or as it is sometimes called pork butt. The lower part of the shoulder is where the picnic shoulder is.
Both cuts of pork can be used to make pulled pork, although the Boston butt is a better choice. It is great grilled and smoked. The picnic can but used for pulled pork as well, but it is better when it is cooked whole and sliced. If you were to cure a picnic shoulder it would be considered a picnic ham