Wondering how to reheat pulled pork without drying it out? There’s more than one way, actually. Any of these methods results in a juicy and tender meat like we’re all dreaming of!
Regardless of your favorite way to eat pulled pork, having some leftovers is pretty common. Luckily, this is a super versatile meat that can be used for many recipes.
This means pulled pork leftovers are great to have for a quick meal. Keep reading to find out how to reheat pulled pork, how to store it, and how to prevent it from drying out.
🐷 Why It Works
Easy to make – There’s nothing fancy about making pulled pork except for the taste! Most people love it and you can easily cook a large batch if needed.
Use our free printable pulled pork temperature chart to get the perfect shreddable meat every time!
Great for meal planning – You can cook your pulled pork ahead and store it in the fridge or freezer depending on how soon you want to use it.
Reheats well – The fact you can perfectly reheat pulled pork is exactly why you can make it ahead.
Below, you’ll find several ways to reheat pulled pork and I’m sure you’ll find at least one you can use. Yes, even in a kitchen with limited cooking equipment!
Reheat In The Microwave
The microwave is one of the fastest ways to reheat pulled pork. It’s not ideal, but it gets the job done if you don’t have an oven or a stovetop or if you’re in a rush.
Use another method if you need to reheat enough meat for a larger group of people.
Step 1 – If your pulled pork is frozen, thaw it first.
Step 2 – Place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe container. If you saved the fats after cooking, add a little in the container. It will keep it juicy and you won’t risk it drying out.
Alternatively, you can use broth or apple juice.
This step is not optional! It will ensure your pulled pork remains moist and tender.
The safe internal temperature for pulled pork is 165°F, so that’s what you should aim for.
Step 3 – Reheat the pulled pork for two minutes. Remove from the microwave and give it a good stir.
If it’s not warm enough, heat it in 30-second intervals until the meat reaches the internal temperature safe for consumption.
Reheat On The Stovetop
Reheating pulled pork on the stovetop is really easy!
You will need one thing though: to place your pulled pork in a vacuum sealed bag or a closed plastic bag with as much air released as possible.
The method you’ll be using is called sous vide. The name might be fancy, but it’s an effortless technique for reheating meat.
Step 1 – Bring a pot of water to 170°F. This means the water should be hot but not boiling.
Step 2 – Place the bag of pork into the pot and allow it to sit for at least 30 to 45 minutes. If your pork is frozen, add an extra 30 minutes to the total time.
Step 3 – Your pork will be perfectly reheated and ready to eat once the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F.
Reheat In The Oven
The oven is one of the best ways to reheat pulled pork. It’s not the fastest, but works exceptionally well if you need to reheat a larger quantity.
Step 1 – Preheat your oven to 250°F. You will need to use a low temperature setting so the meat can reheat as evenly as possible without drying out.
Step 2 – Place the pulled pork in a baking dish, along with some leftover juices. You can also use broth, apple juice, or even a little water.
Step 3 – Cover the dish with foil or a lid if the dish has one.
Step 4 – Place the dish in the oven and let it bake until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165°F. Keep in mind you are just reheating since the meat is already cooked.
Adjust the baking time depending on how much meat you are reheating.
Note: If you want to give the meat some crisp, remove the cover after reheating and allow the meat to broil for a few minutes.
Step 5 – After you remove it from the oven, give your pulled pork a good stir. If needed, add some more juice or sauce.
Reheat In The Crockpot (Slow Cooker)
Your trusty slow cooker is perfectly up to the task of reheating pulled pork!
This set-and-forget method will come in handy if you’re busy tackling other chores or you’d rather entertain your guests while that meat is reheating.
Step 1 – Thaw the pulled pork before reheating if it’s frozen.
Step 2 – Add the meat and some leftover juices or broth. Adding liquid is a must since it will help the pulled pork remain moist.
Step 3 – Set your crockpot to the warm setting.
Step 4 – Allow the meat to cook for 2-4 hours until it reaches the internal temperature of 165°F.
Using the warm setting, it will take longer to reheat the pulled pork. However, it is the best setting to make sure it doesn’t come out dry.
Reheat On The Grill
Reheating pulled pork on the grill works best if you are using indirect heat. It is super easy to achieve as long as you use the proper technique.
Step 1 – Create two cooking zones. Set one of your burners to high while keeping the other one turned off.
If you’re using a charcoal grill, pile the charcoal on one side of the grill or use a plate setter.
Step 2 – Allow the hot zone of your grill to warm until the temperature of the indirect heat zone (cool zone) is 225°F.
Step 3 – Make sure your pulled pork is properly thawed before reheating. Place it in two layers of foil along with ¼ cups of broth, juice or water.
Step 4 – Place the foil wrapped meat on the cool zone and leave it there until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5 – Unwrap the meat gently to keep the leftover juices in the foil. If your pork is in one piece, you can give it a slight crisp by placing it in the hot zone for a few minutes.
If you already shredded the meat, it’s best to crisp it up in a pan. Add the leftover juices from the foil and enjoy it on its own or in your favorite recipe!
❗ Expert Tips
Pork butt cooked ahead stores best in one piece. This is a simple way to make sure the meat stays moist when reheating as the juices are still trapped inside. For this reason, it’s a good idea to shred only what you know you’ll use at that moment.
If you have already shredded the pulled pork, the best way to store it is in vacuum sealed bags. This will also allow you to use the sous vide cooking method for reheating.
How To Calculate The Serving Size
Storing a whole pork butt is an excellent idea if you know you’ll be using the entire piece later. This will keep the meat moist during the reheating process.
Otherwise, it’s better to place only 1 or 2 servings of pork per bag or container.
The recommended serving size for adults is approximately ⅓ pound. We have a whole article including the calculations to help you determine how much pulled pork per person.
Weight your portions on a kitchen scale, and add labels to your bags before storing in the fridge or freezer.
FAQ
Following the proper steps for the reheating method of your choice is just as important as storing your pulled pork correctly.
There are two common storage methods you can use.
The Wozniak method – If you want to store large pieces of meat, this is the technique you should be using.
As soon as the meat reaches 175°F internal temperature, wrap it tightly in foil and pinch the edges to seal it off.
Place the foil wrapped meat in a watertight plastic bag. Put it in a cooler and fill it with ice.
This will quickly cool down the meat. Once the temperature of the pork goes under 40°F you can put it in the fridge.
For this method, you can store the pork in the fridge for up to four days or up to three months in the freezer.
Vacuum sealing – This method is perfect if you’re looking to store individual servings of shredded pork.
Vacuum sealing takes out all the extra air. This way, the pork will take the least amount of space in your fridge or freezer.
You can also store the pork in plastic containers. However, don’t use such a container for reheating in the microwave. Instead, use a microwave-safe dish or glass.
Whichever method you use for storage, be sure to save the leftover juices. You will need those for reheating and serving!
You can safely store pulled pork in the fridge for up to five days. Make sure the temperature stays below 40°F.
To make sure the pulled pork doesn’t spoil prematurely, keep it in an airtight container or a vacuum sealed bag, in the coldest part of the fridge.
Thawing frozen pulled pork is best done by leaving it overnight in the fridge.
If you’re in a rush, and your pork is stored in a bag, you can also place the bag in a large bowl of warm water.
Switch out the water every 30 minutes until the pork is fully thawed.
Pulled pork can turn into a unique experience every time you pair it with a different side.
There are plenty of options, starting with classic dishes such as coleslaw, cornbread, biscuits, and potato fries.
If you’re looking to bring something new to the table, check out some of our favorite recipes that go well with pulled pork!
I consider pulled pork leftovers just as valuable as when they’re freshly cooked. If you plan to use the leftovers at a later time, bag them, tag them and store them in the freezer.
There are many ways to use pulled pork leftovers, from sandwiches and casseroles, to pizza, pies, dips, salads, and we’re just getting started.
Here are some amazing leftover pulled pork recipes that will soon become family favorites.
Switching up sides is a wonderful way to avoid wasting leftovers in your kitchen.
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