Are you looking to create mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone barbecued pulled pork, or a sumptuous slow-cooked roast that’s packed with flavor? If so, consider the Costco pork shoulder. This choice cut of meat, known for its rich, robust flavor and perfect marbling, could be your secret ingredient.
Costco Pork Shoulder: Quality Meets Value
Sold at Costco’s unbeatable prices, this is a high-quality product that caters to culinary enthusiasts seeking the best value. The Costco pork shoulder embodies the Costco ethos of offering superior quality products at a price that respects your wallet, making it a wise choice for those wishing to elevate their culinary creations without breaking the bank.
Pork Shoulder Size & Weight
One thing to know about Costco is that they sell items in bulk. If you’re looking to buy two rolls of paper towels this is not your place. Your looking at cases of items that will last for months. The meat section is typically no exception. While the items come in bulk sizes it is great for stocking your freezer. When it comes to the Costco pork butt this is also the case.
When we entered the store, we had some difficulty finding pork shoulder, but we found it nonetheless. We couldn’t find the pork shoulder butt in anything less than 15 pound increments, and two butts. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing! With pork prices around $2.00 a pound – this is a great option for a large cookout, or if not, freezing the extra pork butt to be smoked at a later date.
Costco Pork Shoulder Prices
When buying a pork shoulder at Costco the prices may vary based on the size and weight of the pork butt. On average we’ve seen prices range from $1.99 to $2.99 a pound. Currently a Costco Pork Shoulder is $2.39 a pound. Since Costco sells pork shoulder in two packs, with an average weight of 16lbs, you’re looking at at total cost of around $39.00. If you’re looking for a great price, don’t forget to check Boston Butt prices, it is essentially the same cut. Pork shoulder is significantly cheaper than, Costco steak, or Costco brisket, but when purchasing in bulk, it can be an affordable option.
Boneless vs. Bone-In Pork Shoulder
Whenever we cook pork butt, we typically try to find a piece of meat that is bone in. If you read the reviews online – most will tell you there’s no major difference. However, for us, there’s nothing better than the bone pulling right out after an eight hour smoke. In our opinions, the bone adds a bit more flavor, and can potentially help the meat cook from within the inside.
When shopping at Costco we actually couldn’t find a bone-in pork shoulder. We looked far and wide, but were only able to find a pack of boneless pork shoulders. Well, that wasn’t going to stop us. It’s always great to try new cuts, see how they taste, how they cook, and what the final product looks like. Costco skirt steak is also an amazing option if you’re looking for a “quick” weeknight meal that doesn’t require hours of smoking.
What is “enhanced” pork shoulder?
One item to look out for is check whether any of the meat is labeled as “enhanced.” What this means is that the meat was injected with a solution to enhance the flavor profile. We prefer to get pork shoulders that are not enhanced. Feel free to try both, but we always prefer the most natural version possible.
In regards to pricing, what we found is that boneless pork shoulders will cost a bit extra. This makes sense if you think about it – net net, you are purchasing more meat once you subtract the bone.
Conclusion: Pork Shoulder Verdict
We placed the eight pound boneless pork shoulder on the Big Green Egg and cooked it slow and low at 250 degrees. We also used our homemade pork shoulder rub. Lastly, we used the Meater+ Thermometer to monitor the cook and ensure it was cooked to temperature. We can confidently say the Costco Pork Shoulder is a great product that pleased the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a pork shoulder at Costco?
Costco Pork Shoulder is packaged into two pieces. The average cost for the two pack is around $45.00, making each piece cost about $22.50. Prices may vary and can typically be found on sale for around $36 or $18 per pork shoulder.
How much does a pork shoulder weigh?
Pork shoulder weight can vary from grocery store to grocery store. Pork shoulder weighs anywhere from 4-12lbs. At Costco, we found the average pork shoulder typically weighs around 8lbs. Since it’s sold it two packs, that’s 16 pounds of total weight.
What is the average price per pound of pork shoulder at Costco?
The average price per pound of Costco pork shoulder is $2.75. Often it can be found on sale, or at discount bringing it as low as $1.99 per pound. Costco pork shoulder is typically price from $1.99 – $2.75 per pound.
How many people does a pork shoulder feed?
When smoking pork shoulder and making pulled pork, we allocate around a half a pound per person. This may be on the high side – but worst case we have some amazing leftovers. The general rule of thumb is that a pork shoulder will lose around 40% of its weight when smoked. This means an 8 pound pork shoulder will yield almost 5lbs of cooked meat, or around 10 servings.