The picnic shoulder is the lower half of the pork shoulder, including part of the front leg. Slightly leaner than the Boston butt and often sold skin-on, it’s a budget-friendly cut built for slow cooking.
Where Picnic Shoulder Comes From
The picnic (or arm) shoulder sits just below the Boston butt, running down toward the hock.
How to Cook Picnic Shoulder
- Slow roasting: skin-on for crisp crackling
- Smoking: for pulled pork with a bit more chew
- Braising: falls apart into rich, shredded meat
- Curing: traditional for some smoked hams and sausage
Picnic Shoulder is part of the pork shoulder primal. Find a farm selling pasture-raised pork near you.
How to Cook It
Best methods for this cut: Roasting, Smoking, Braising. Browse all recipes & guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is picnic shoulder?
The picnic is the lower half of the pork shoulder, including part of the front leg. It is leaner than the Boston butt and often sold skin-on.
What is the difference between Boston butt and picnic shoulder?
Both are pork shoulder. The Boston butt is the upper, meatier, fattier half; the picnic is the lower, leaner half, great skin-on for crackling.
How do you cook picnic shoulder?
Slow-roast skin-on for crackling, smoke for pulled pork, or braise until it shreds.