During the American Revolution era, pork shoulders were packed in barrels as food for the sailors. At the time, barrels of many sorts were referred to as “butts”. The term stuck, and pork shoulder became known as pork butt, despite its having nothing to do with the posterior of the pig.
The pork butt is delicious and easy to prepare. Pork butt can be roasted, cut into steaks, braised, stewed and is amazing for pulled pork.
