PORK SHOULDER QUESTION

[matwell]

Hello All,
I need some advice. I was at the local shoprite today and I noticed they had a sale .69 a pound for a pork shoulder picnic. The shoulder was in a cryovac type package, however it appeared the skin was still on the shoulder portion. Being new to smoking and handling these types of cuts (meats), I decided not to buy this inexpensive pork shoulder for this reason. My first pulled pork attempt was using a boneless pork butt and it was a great success. Has anyone purchased a pork shoulder with the skin still attached and would you smoke it with the skin on or remove the skin? Which is a better cut with pulled pork the butt or shoulder picnic? I remember reading one cut would be more moist than the other? Lastly, Do you think this price is to cheap to be a quality cut meat?  Thanks for your help.

Mike

[Habanero Smoker]

You got a deal at $.69/lb.; I have only seen them as low as $.99/lb.

The picnic is much leaner, has less connective tissue and the taste and texture is more like fresh ham. I have done them both ways, and removing the skin and fat first works best. Then apply your rub, and I generally only bring them up to an internal temperature of 175°. It doesn't pull well, so I either slice or chop it. I've never taken one to the "traditional" 185°F - 200°F; you can try that and see if it pulls; but it may end up dry..

If you want to smoke/cook with the skin on it is best to us a knife (a clean utility knife works best), and cut through the skin just down to the meat diagonally -crisscrossing the cuts. Apply the rub, making sure you work the rub into the slits. Another way is the marinate it. I do a Cuban style pork, but that take a day of marinating. I don't have time to post the recipe, if you do a search you may find my original post.

[matwell]

Haberno Smoker,
Thanks for your input. I actually decided not to buy it. I am going to stick with the boneless pork butt because of my first success. The price just sounded to cheap to be a quality cut. I think I will stick with the costco type variety.

[Arcs_n_Sparks]

I am going to stick with the boneless pork butt because of my first success.

matwell,

Don't be afraid of a bone-in butt. At the end, the bone will pull out and you will be just as happy.

[Consiglieri]

Ditto what Arcs said. 

[Habanero Smoker]

Haberno Smoker,
Thanks for your input. I actually decided not to buy it. I am going to stick with the boneless pork butt because of my first success. The price just sounded to cheap to be a quality cut. I think I will stick with the costco type variety.

Don't let the price of the cut deter you. The picnic shoulder is a good cut of meat to smoke, it just not good for pulling. That store may have needed to get rid of them fast. None of the Shop Rites in my area were offering that deal.