How to Store Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways, from pulled pork sandwiches to tacos and salads.

If you have leftover smoked pulled pork butt or pork shoulder or if you want to make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week, it's important to know How to Store Pulled Pork and reheat it properly to ensure that it stays fresh and flavorful.

Dry meat is one of the biggest issues with reheating pork. Keep reading to learn all of my best tips for storing and reheating pulled pork.

How to Store Pulled Pork

Pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator or the freezer.

Refrigerator

1. Let the pork cool down. Once you've cooked the pulled pork, let it cool down to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help prevent moisture buildup and bacterial growth, which can cause the meat to spoil.
2. Portion the pulled pork out. Divide the pulled pork into smaller portions before storing it. This will help the meat cool down more quickly.
3. Use airtight containers. Store the pulled pork in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. This will keep the meat fresh for longer and prevent it from drying out. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bags or containers.
4. Label and date the containers. To keep track of when the pulled pork was stored and to make it easier to find later on, label the containers or bags with the date and contents. If you are freezing meals frequently you may want to pick up some of these freezer labels to make organizing your freezer easier.
5. Store in the refrigerator. Pulled pork stored in the refrigerator will keep for up to 4 days.

Freezer

For longer-term storage, the freezer is the best method.

1. Let the pork cool down. Once you've cooked the pulled pork, let it cool down to room temperature for about 30 minutes. This will help prevent moisture buildup and bacterial growth, which can cause the meat to spoil.
2. Portion the pulled pork out. Divide the pulled pork into smaller portions before storing it. This will help the meat cool down more quickly. It will also make it easier to thaw and reheat later on.
3. Use airtight containers. Store the leftover meat in an airtight container or resealable plastic bags. This will keep the meat fresh for a long time, prevent it from drying out, and reduce the risk of freezer burn. Make sure to remove as much air as possible from the bags or containers.
4. Label and date the containers. To keep track of when the pulled pork was stored and to make it easier to find later on, label the containers or bags with the date and contents. If you are freezing meals frequently you may want to pick up some of these freezer labels to make organizing your freezer easier.
5. Store in the freezer. Pulled pork stored in the freezer will keep for up to 3 months.

Tip: If freezing in ziplock bags smash the pork down so that the pork is in a flat even layer. This will make storage easier as well as help it to freeze and thaw faster.

How to Thaw Frozen Pulled Pork

When you're ready to use the pulled pork, the best way to thaw it is in the refrigerator overnight. If the pulled pork was frozen in a freezer bag, I recommend placing the bag in a bowl or shallow tray just in case the bag leaks during the defrosting process.

To thaw pulled pork more quickly, place the pork in a bowl filled with cold water. Dump the cold water out and replace it with fresh cold water every thirty minutes until the pork has thawed completely.

If you have frozen your pork in a microwave-safe container you can also thaw the pulled pork using the defrost setting on your microwave.

How to Reheat Pulled Pork

When it's time to reheat your pulled pork, follow these steps to ensure it stays moist and flavorful:

1. Let the pork come to room temperature. Take the pulled pork out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before reheating. This will reduce cooking time and keep the pork moist.
2. Add some moisture. To prevent the pork from drying out during reheating, add a little moisture. You can do this by adding a splash of water, chicken broth, apple juice, or my favorite this Apricot Barbecue Sauce to the container.
3. Choose your reheating method. There are several methods for reheating pulled pork.

Here are four of my favorite reheating methods.

Microwave

The microwave is the fastest way to reheat pork leftovers and is great if you only need to reheat a single serving.

Place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish with a splash of water or chicken broth, cover it with a damp paper towel, and heat on high in 30-second intervals until heated through.

Tip: I love using this magnetic microwave cover to prevent splatters. The lid uses magnets to stick to the top of the microwave when not in use.

Oven

The oven is great for when you need to reheat a lot of pre-shredded pork

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Place the pulled pork in an oven-safe dish, like this dutch oven, with a splash of water or chicken broth, cover with foil, and heat for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.

Once the pork reaches 165°F (74°C), remove the foil and let the meat broil for a few minutes to crisp up the top layer of pork.

Stovetop

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the leftover pork and a splash of water or chicken broth. Cover and heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Slow Cooker

If you aren't in a rush and need a way to reheat lots of pulled pork, the slow cooker or crock pot is a great hands-off solution.

Place the pulled pork and a splash of water or chicken broth in the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to low heat. In just a few hours your pork should be ready to eat.

Tip: Check the temperature. To ensure that the pulled pork is safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 165°F (74°C).

Enjoy! Once the pulled pork is heated through, it's ready to enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Use the reheated meat in one of your favorite pork recipes. Use it as a filling for sandwiches, in this Pulled Pork Tater Tot Casserole, tamales, Pulled Pork Tacos, or BBQ platters. You could also toss some into your favorite soup like this Winter Pork Stew or salad.

One of my favorite ways to serve reheated pulled pork is on these Pulled Pork Smoked Potato Skins or in this Leftover Roast Pork Stroganoff.

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