The Costco Meat That Belongs On Your Grocery List

On our list of the best (and worst) meats to buy at Costco, the Swift commodity pork shoulder butt rose to the top of the pile. This versatile, well-priced cut can seemingly do it all, our writer said, shining in roasts, smoked preparations, and even being ground into homemade sausage. The Costco shoulder butt is a massive chunk o' pork, averaging 17 pounds in weight, and it's boneless, which means less prep work. They are typically sold in packs of two and our writer even found them on sale for $1.99 per pound. Fans of this meat like the fact that it can be readily divided into smaller portions depending on consumer needs.

Pork shoulder butt, despite the confusing name that seems to refer to both the top and bottom of a mammal, actually comes from the thick pig shoulder and encompasses the neck, shoulder blade, and top of the leg. You might also see it called a Boston butt, owing to the fact that, in the Revolutionary War-era American colonies, cuts were stored in barrels called "butts" and butchers in Boston developed a common method of cutting it.

This cut of pork is both fatty and tender, making it ideal for low and slow cooking that lets that fat render and the pronounced flavor of the meat shine. The cooking instructions on the Swift commodity pork shoulder butt say to roast it in a pan for over an hour, then slice it up, but this merely scratches the surface of delicious meals you can concoct with shoulder butt.

Carnitas for burritos or tacos and pulled pork are two classic preparations for a fatty, big cut like pork shoulder butt. Whether you rely on an heirloom family recipe or try out Katie Lee's easy pulled pork in the slow cooker, you are unlikely to be disappointed by either the quality or quantity of the shredded pork you can make with the Costco pork. Depending on the flavors you imbue into your shredded meat, you can whip up a classic Cuban sandwich, go Asian with a teriyaki rice bowl, or even take a Polish direction with a spinoff of traditional hunter's stew. You can also stuff pulled pork into dumplings or stir it into a meaty ragu.

But shredding the pork isn't your only path. Braising is an incredible option for another lengthy cook on the pork shoulder — it may sound crazy, but curdled milk is actually a historically perfect braising liquid for Italian pork dishes. You can also roast your pork butt if you'd like to keep the structure intact. We like to use this cut in homemade char siu that rivals even your favorite Chinese restaurant. Pork shoulder butt is also the perfect protein component of your favorite stew. Simply get it going in a slow cooker in the morning and forget about it until dinnertime for a meal that is delicious, inexpensive, and easy to work with — the total package for home cooks.