What are Pork Cushions?

Pork cushion

It is actually a deboned piece of raw meat cut from the front side of the picnic shoulder. Pork cushion is a lean, amazingly worked muscle with so many flavors. When we remove pork cushion from the bone, it is usually triangular in shape, although the shape and size rely on how the butcher promotes their meat counter.

Pork cushions are usually around 2 to 3 pounds (0.9 to 1.3 Kg) in weight and accompany plenty of connective tissue.

You can remarkably cook them low and slow. Still, you may also slice the pork cushions into many cutlets and even tenderize them either using a marinade or by pounding them as thin as you can do with a tasty schnitzel dish.

The Pork Cushion vs. Boston Butt

• There are many similarities between pork cushion and Boston butt as both originate from the foreleg of the pig. The pork cushion itself derives from the picnic shoulder that locates directly below the butt.
• The pork butt is very well-marbled (meat) with the maximum amount of nutrient and quality intramuscular fat. Thus, it’s not an excessively used muscle on the animal. While pork cushion is a well-worked muscle, it results in a denser, more substantial meat with a minimum amount of intramuscular fat.
• Both pieces, whether pork cushion or Boston butt, lend themselves to the low plus slow process, for example, stewing, roasting, braising, and smoking.
• The pork cushion may have to cook at a higher temperature than the Boston butt to be able to pull apart genuinely. Therefore, you must prepare at 200°F – 205°F (93 C0- 96 C0), this trick will definitely work.

Pork Cushion Recipes

One of the remarkable qualities of pork cushion is its versatility in different cooking procedures. Below are some of its recipes;

Roasts

You may cook it just like you roast beef. In fact, it is quite an easy and simple recipe with minimal preparation time; it is a low and slow method, but at a higher temperature than you may utilize for barbecuing and smoking.

This unique pork roast recipe takes only approximately 15-20 minutes to prepare before it passes to the oven for cooking. It allows you to think about other things, such as preparing sides or entertaining.

For this herb-crusted pork cushion roast, you can only cook for 30 to 35 min per pound, and one thing you must ensure that the internal temperature is at least 144°F (62o C).

You may slice and serve on a dish or platter for an outstanding presentation on any particular event or for a relaxed holiday dinner; the choice is yours!

Stews & Soups

For a thick, cheerful stew, add broth and vegetables to your pork roast leftovers and let simmer or keep in a slow cooker.  

With the massive fame of noodle shops, you can also use leftover pork to fulfill your ramen cravings. Home-made ramen with pork in this simple pork ramen recipe is quite an attractive combination as you have already cooked your pork.

Summary

Hopefully, I have discussed everything you need to know about it and how pork cushion relates to other cuts. It is a fantastic and versatile cut of meat that you must purchase pork cushions if you find it at the food market or grocery store!