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Pulled Pork Yield Calculator — How Much Will You Get?

Pork shoulder (Boston butt) loses 35–40% of its raw weight during the smoking process through moisture evaporation and fat rendering. An 8-pound raw shoulder yields approximately 4.8–5.2 pounds of pulled pork — enough for 15–20 sandwiches at 4–5 oz each. This 35–40% shrinkage is consistent across all shoulder sizes and cooking methods (smoking, slow roker, oven), though very high-fat bone-in cuts can lose up to 45% when including bone weight. Use the calculator to find your exact expected yield.

The 35–40% shrinkage figure applies to boneless pork shoulder. Bone-in Boston butt (with the scapula bone): subtract an additional 5–8% for the bone weight after pulling. A labeled '8 lb bone-in butt' yields less than an '8 lb boneless butt' — factor this into your purchasing decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much pulled pork do I get from 10 lbs?
A 10-pound raw pork shoulder (butt) will yield approximately 6–6.5 pounds of finished pulled pork after cooking and pulling — about a 62–65% yield. This feeds 12–16 people for a main-course serving.
How much raw pork shoulder do I need per person?
Buy approximately ⅓ lb (5–6 oz) of raw pork shoulder per person if you have sides, or ½ lb per person for a meat-focused meal. This accounts for the ~35–38% weight loss during cooking.
Bone-in vs boneless — does it affect yield?
Yes. Bone-in pork shoulder yields slightly less pulled pork because the bone adds non-edible weight. Boneless is about 5–8% more efficient. Either works great; bone-in often has more flavor.
What internal temperature should pulled pork reach?
Pulled pork is done when the internal temperature reaches 195–205°F (90–96°C). The higher end ensures the collagen has fully broken down, making the meat easy to pull and incredibly tender.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does pork shoulder shrink when smoked?
Pork shoulder loses 35–40% of its raw weight during smoking. An 8-pound shoulder yields approximately 4.8–5.2 pounds of pulled pork. A 10-pound shoulder yields 6–6.5 pounds. Shrinkage comes from: water evaporation (most), fat rendering into drippings, and bone weight if bone-in. Higher temperatures lose slightly more weight than lower temperatures.
How many sandwiches does an 8 lb pork shoulder make?
An 8-pound raw pork shoulder yields about 5 pounds of pulled pork. At 4 oz per sandwich: 20 sandwiches. At 5 oz per sandwich: 16 sandwiches. At 6 oz for a generous portion: 13 sandwiches. For family-style serving (on a platter, not individual sandwiches), 5 pounds of pulled pork serves 10–12 people as a main course.
What is the rule of thumb for raw pork shoulder per person?
The standard rule: buy 1/3 pound of raw pork shoulder per person for a sandwich-style service (5 people per 1.5-lb raw = 5 sandwiches). For family-style service or if pork is the centerpiece: 1/2 pound raw per person. Add 10–15% buffer for unexpected extra guests or seconds. For a buffet where pork is one of several proteins, 1/4 pound raw per person is often sufficient.

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