Many people wonder what the main differences are between a bone-in ham and a pork butt. Is it worse to buy a pork butt than a ham? As for the second question, we can assure you that it isn’t. There are certain differences between the two, and you will be inclined to prefer one or the other depending on your tastes.
Ham is made from the hind leg of the pig, while pork butt, in spite of its name, is actually made from the front leg or shoulder. A ham is larger and heavier than a pork butt (the ham weighing around 16 ½ lb. while the pork butt weighs about 11 lb.) and is also more elongated in shape than the latter, which is rounder. A ham is less fatty, in terms of both external and intramuscular fat, which naturally affects its aroma and flavor. There are just as many die-hard fans of ham as there are of pork butt, as it’s a simple matter of taste.
Here’s a list of the most obvious differences between an Iberian ham and a pork butt:
• Ham comes from the hindquarters of the pig, while pork butt comes from the front legs.
• Ham comes from the hindquarters of the pig, while pork butt comes from the front legs.
• A 16 ½ lb. ham will yield approximately 33 servings (3 ½ oz.), while a pork butt will yield approximately 15 servings.
• A ham has a long, slender shank, while the shank of the pork butt is shorter and wider.
• Pork butt is fattier than Iberian ham.
• In terms of taste, while an Iberian ham may not be quite as flavorful as a pork butt can be, it has certain characteristics that lend it a unique flavor of its own.
• Another difference is the price. Some pork butts are as expensive as a ham and some hams are much cheaper than a good pork butt. The most important thing is to know the quality of the product you’re buying. As a general rule, whenever a pork butt and a ham are in the same category, the pork butt should be cheaper than the ham, as it yields less meat.
