How Big is a Pork Butt? A Comprehensive Guide to Pork Shoulder Sizes

Pork butt is a popular cut of meat for smoking, roasting, and slow-cooking. It is a flavorful and versatile cut that can be used in a variety of dishes. But how big is a pork butt? And how much meat will it yield? This guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about pork butt sizes, so you can choose the right size for your next meal.

What is a Pork Butt?

A pork butt is the upper part of the pork shoulder. It is a large, fatty cut of meat that is well-marbled with connective tissue. This makes it ideal for slow-cooking methods, which allow the connective tissue to break down and the meat to become tender and juicy.

Pork Butt Sizes

Pork butts typically weigh between 6 and 8 pounds. However, they can range in size from 4 to 10 pounds or more. The size of the pork butt will depend on the age and size of the pig.

How Much Meat Will a Pork Butt Yield?

A 6-pound pork butt will typically yield about 4 pounds of cooked meat. This is enough to feed 8-10 people. A larger pork butt will yield more meat, and a smaller pork butt will yield less meat.

Choosing the Right Size Pork Butt

The size of pork butt you choose will depend on the number of people you are feeding and the cooking method you are using. If you are smoking or roasting the pork butt, you will need a larger size. If you are slow-cooking the pork butt, you can get away with a smaller size.

Tips for Buying a Pork Butt

When buying a pork butt, look for a piece of meat that is well-marbled with connective tissue. This will ensure that the meat will be tender and juicy after cooking. You should also choose a pork butt that is the right size for your needs.

Pork butt is a delicious and versatile cut of meat that can be used in a variety of dishes. By following the tips in this guide, you can choose the right size pork butt for your next meal.

How to Smoke Pork Butt / How to Make Pulled Pork Recipe

FAQ

How many people will a pork butt feed?

Pounds of Pork Butt (Raw Weight)	Number of Servings (1/3 pound serving)	Number of Servings (1/2 pound serving)
8	12	8
16	24	16
24	36	24
32	48	32

Are pork shoulder and pork butt the same?

Both come from the shoulder of the pig, but pork butt is higher on the foreleg, while pork shoulder is farther down. As relatively tough and fatty cuts, both benefit from long, slow cooking methods such as roasting, stewing, and braising. But the cuts are different enough that we generally prefer pork butt.