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Boston buttvsPork neck

pork · Approximate equivalent

These cuts are approximate equivalents — similar in character but with meaningful differences in preparation or exact cut.

Both are well-marbled shoulder-area cuts suited to slow cooking, but pork neck is even more marbled and more forgiving when grilled as steaks than the Boston butt.

Translation takeaway

These are related cuts, but not perfect swaps. Use the table below to judge how close your local option is before buying.

Open Boston buttOpen Pork neckSee substitutes
Keep this comparisonSave Boston butt and Pork neck together for shopping, cooking notes, and future reference.
Boston butt
Pork · Shoulder

Boston butt is the upper part of the pork shoulder, above the picnic. Despite the misleading name it comes from the shoulder, not the rear. It has generous fat content and…

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Pork neck
Pork · Shoulder

Pork neck (collar) is a cut from the neck and upper shoulder of the pig, well-marbled with intramuscular fat that keeps it moist during cooking. It is exceptionally versatile — it …

HeadBladeArm ShoulderLoinLegRibsBellyHock
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Names by country

CountryBoston buttPork neck
🇺🇸United StatesBoston buttPork collar
🇬🇧United KingdomPork shoulderPork neck
🇫🇷FranceÉpaule de porcÉchine de porc
🇪🇸SpainPaleta de cerdoCabeza de lomo
🇦🇷ArgentinaPaleta de cerdoPescuezo de cerdo
🇲🇽MexicoPaleta de cerdoAguja de cerdo
🇵🇹PortugalPá de porcoCachaço
🇧🇷BrazilPaleta suínaPescoço suíno
🇮🇹ItalyCoppa di spallaCoppa di maiale
🇩🇪GermanySchweinekammSchweinenacken

A useful tool for both cuts

$$ · roasts, smokers, and long cooks

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Meat Thermometer

Monitoring large cuts where opening the smoker or oven would cost heat.

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