Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

What to do with over cooked pulled pork? ›

Further, dry, overcooked pulled pork can also be improved by simply making it an ingredient in a larger dish. A pulled pork sandwich slathered in condiments and coleslaw will taste moist and delicious no matter how dry it starts out.

USDA recommends using cooked pork within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40 °F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Using completely thawed pulled pork, you'll want to wrap your leftovers in a couple of layers of aluminum foil and cover your pork in BBQ sauce for extra flavor and moisture retention. You can also heat it in a covered, grill-safe pan. You'll heat your pulled pork on the indirect heat side of your grill to start.

Cooking pulled pork for a longer time can help to break down the collagen and connective tissue, making the meat more tender, but there is a point at which the meat can become overcooked and dry out.

Of course you can slow pork too long. You can overcook anything, even with moist heat. Once the meat has cooked completely, become tender and the collagen transforms into gelatin, further cooking will only pull moisture from the meat. It will just become dryer and dryer, even if it is partially submerged in liquid.

How long does pulled pork last in the fridge? Pulled pork can be consumed and eaten safely for up to 4 days when stored in the fridge, according to the USDA. However, this time frame may vary depending on how it was stored and whether it was cooked properly.

It's also important to note that pulled pork or carnitas may look, smell, and taste just fine if left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. But per the USDA, pathogenic bacteria, which grow in the danger zone and cause food-related infections, don't affect the aesthetics of the food in question.

It is OK to store hot foods in the fridge. You do not have to wait for the foods to cool before you put them away. In fact, it's better to store them right away while they're still hot than to forget them and leave them sitting at room temperature for too long.

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed.

How do BBQ restaurants keep pulled pork moist? ›

Many competition barbecue teams will wrap briskets and pork butts in aluminum foil during the final stages of cooking and add broth, juice, or other flavorful concoctions to the foil package.

Reheating your pulled pork in the oven is easy, simple, and probably the best way to reheat a lot of pre-shredded meat. Place your whole butt or shredded pork in an ovenproof dish and add in a little liquid to replace some of the lost moisture. This can be apple juice, cider vinegar, broth, or a thick BBQ sauce.

Cheddar: Sharp, tangy, and full-flavoured, cheddar complements the smoky, sweet taste of barbecue sauce. Monterey Jack: Mild and melty, Monterey Jack adds creaminess without overpowering the other flavours. Pepper Jack: A spicy variation of Monterey Jack, this cheese adds a kick of heat to the sandwich.

Smothering it with barbecue sauce would probably help, but my favourite thing to do with leftover or less than successful carnitas is a pasta sauce. I just add the meat to a good tomato sauce with appropriate seasoning and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

You can add a little bit of water or broth to a pan and simmer the meat for a few minutes. The goal is to allow the liquid to penetrate the meat without allowing it to overcook even more. This should take a couple of minutes. If you add a couple tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice, this also helps revive the meat.