The Best Cuts of Pork for Slow Cooked Pulled Pork
When it comes to making delicious pulled pork, certain cuts of pork stand out as the ideal candidates for slow cooking. Here, we'll discuss the best cuts for slow cooker pulled pork and the unique qualities that make them perfect for this process.
Popular Choices: Pork Shoulder and Boston Butt
The most well-known and recommended cut for making pulled pork in a slow cooker is the Pork Shoulder (Boston Butt). This cut offers an excellent balance of meat and fat, which ensures that the end product remains moist and tender. The long, slow cooking process helps break down the connective tissues and collagen, resulting in a rich, flavorful, and tender pulled pork.
Pork Picnic Roast, often less common, is another option for making flavorful pulled pork. While this cut has a higher content of connective tissue, making it slightly tougher, slow cooking transforms this toughness into depth of flavor. Both Pork Shoulder and Pork Picnic Roast are suitable for slow cooking, providing consistent results.
Additional Cuts to Consider
If you're willing to experiment a bit, there are several other cuts that can be adapted for making pulled pork. Here are a few alternatives:
Pork Neck - Clean the neck after cooking and use the bones to make a flavorful stock. The meat from this area can be a satisfying addition to your pulled pork. Rear Leg Roast (Hock) - Trim the excess fat and brown it in the oven before slow cooking. This cut is known for its robust flavor. Standing Hock - Place it in a sous vide for 3 hours, then brown it in the oven and shred it. This method ensures a perfectly tender texture.While these cuts are not as commonly used as Pork Shoulder and Picnic Roast, adapting them with a bit of creativity can yield great results.
My Favorite Pick: Pork Shoulder
Pork Shoulder or Boston Butt remains my top preference for pulled pork. It's versatile, as it can be smoked, braised, or cooked in a slow cooker. The smoking process, although more authentic, is not necessary when using a slow cooker. However, if possible, I would personally recommend using a smoker or slow cooker over an Instant Pot for a more authentic and better-tasting result.
Other Cuts to Avoid
It's important to avoid cuts that are too lean or overly fatty. Here are some cuts to avoid when making pulled pork:
Loin Cuts - These are too lean and won't yield the same tender results. Side Cuts (excluding Porkbelly) - These are also too lean for slow cooking. Tenderloin and Pork Chops - While these cuts are delicious, they lack the necessary fat content to produce the typical pulled pork experience.Any cut with a bit of marbling or fat is the best choice for achieving the perfect consistency and flavor in your pulled pork.
Conclusion: Whether you prefer using a smoker or a slow cooker, the Pork Shoulder and Boston Butt are the most reliable choices for making delicious pulled pork. Feel free to experiment with other cuts, but remember to ensure there's enough fat to keep the meat moist during the cooking process.