How To Reheat Pulled Pork? [STEP BY STEP GUIDE]

Pulled pork is undoubtedly the star dish of any BBQ feast. You can add it to soup, nachos, salads, burritos, burgers, or sandwiches and bring a unique punch of umami flavor to the dish. Since it is such a versatile dish, the chances are that you are likely to be left with a fair share of pulled pork every time. So how do you store it, right? What is the best method to reheat pulled pork? How to prevent it from drying out? Let’s find out.

Pulled pork can be reheated in the oven, microwave, air fryer, grill, and even in a crock pot or slow cooker. The key is to provide heat without drying out the meat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or (or 73.8℃). Pulled pork should preferably be reheated only once.

Pulled pork is most delicious when it is juicy and flavorful. If the raw pork was cooked low and slow in a smoker or oven, then it is important to choose a reheating method that will not mess up with the original taste. In this guide, you will learn step-by-step instructions on how to reheat pulled pork using different methods.

How To Store Pulled Pork

Before you can safely reheat and consume pulled pork, it is crucial to store it in the fridge as soon as possible. Pulled pork should be stored within 2 hours of cooking.

Allow the pork to properly cool down after cooking and then portion out the excess amount into a vacuum seal pack. You can also store it tightly in a freezer bag or an airtight container or wrap it in a cling film. Add a label if you like.

How Long Can Pork Stay In The Fridge?

When cooked, pulled pork is kept in the fridge at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (or 4℃); it can be stored for up to 3 to 4 days. While refrigeration slows down the growth of bacteria to some extent, it does not completely stop the bacterial activities, and therefore the food is still prone to spoilage. Hence, always consume it within the recommended period.

According to the USDA guidelines, pork can be kept in the freezer for a maximum of 2-3 months. If you have large leftovers, prefer storing them in small batches.

How To Thaw Pulled Pork

Before you reheat pulled pork, you need to first defrost it. The method of defrosting pulled pork will depend on the quantity of meat stored and whether it was refrigerated/ frozen with or without the sauce. If you would be portioning out in different batches, it is best to store the sauce and the pulled pork separately.

If the meat was frozen without sauce, then first open the bag and transfer it to a flat dish. Follow by arranging it in a single layer and letting it defrost as it is.

For faster thawing, dip the sealed bag into lukewarm water. Always ensure that the bag isn’t leaky. You can also defrost the meat in a microwave or oven with low-medium heat. Add some water to prevent the meat from drying out.

How To Reheat Pulled Pork

The key to reheating pulled pork evenly is to preserve maximum moisture and supply heat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (or 73.8℃). Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat pulled pork with different methods:

In The Microwave:

Microwaving pulled pork can quickly dry out the meat; therefore this method is not really the best one, even if it is the easiest one. If the pulled pork has a lot of moisture, you can microwave it following this method:

Place the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish.
Splash some leftover broth, apple juice, or other flavorful liquid on the pulled pork.
Cover tightly with a lid.
Microwave on high heat for about 2 minutes.
Stir the meat before serving to distribute the heat evenly.

In The Air Fryer:

An air fryer is a great kitchen appliance for reheating any kind of food. It is also the best method for reheating pulled pork without much alteration to the quality of meat. Here’s how to reheat pulled pork in an air fryer:

Load the pulled pork into the air fryer and spread it evenly.
Add some liquid of choice.
Air fry for about 5-6 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit (or 160℃).
Drain excess liquid and add barbeque sauce. Cook for another minute.
Rest for about 3-4 minutes before serving.

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In The Oven

For reheating pulled pork in an oven:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (or 121.11℃).
Spread the pulled pork in an oven-safe dish. You may add some liquid like apple juice, apple cider vinegar, broth, or BBQ sauce to replace the lost moisture.
Cover the dish with a double layer of foil and place it in the middle of the oven.
Keep checking with a meat thermometer, and once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, you can remove the dish from the oven.
Let it sit for another 3-4 minutes before serving.

In The Grill

To reheat pulled pork in a grill or a pulled pork smoker, you should follow the 2-zone cooking method. This will prevent quick drying out of the meat due to direct heating. To reheat pulled pork on a gas grill:

Coat the pulled pork in BBQ sauce and wrap it in two layers of foil.
Bring the hot zone on your grill/ smoker/ flat top to such a point that the other side (or the cooler side) of the grill reaches a temperature of 225 degrees Fahrenheit (or 107℃).
Place the pork on the indirect side of the grill or cool zone, and continue heating until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to enhance the texture, then unwrap the meat and toss it with some BBQ sauce or juice on the direct side and cook it for 1-2 minutes. Remove immediately and let it rest for another 2 minutes.

However, if you are using a pellet grill, you can reheat pulled pork just like you do in an oven.

In An Instant Pot

Pressurized instant pots are great at locking in moisture, and therefore they are an excellent choice to reheat pulled pork without drying it out. To reheat pulled pork in an instant pot:

Add a small amount of water to the pot and place the trivet inside.
Put the pulled pork in a microwave-safe dish and place it on the trivet with or without cover.
Close the instant pot with its lid and steam for around 5 minutes.
Open the lid and check the internal temperature of the pork for 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If it is still not warm, you can reheat it for an additional two minutes following the same process.

In Slow Cooker or Crockpot

If you have ample time in hand, you can use this method to reheat pulled pork. For reheating in a slow cooker or crockpot:

Spread the pulled pork to the bottom of the cooker and add a layer of apple juice, broth, leftover barbeque sauce, or your choice of barbecue liquid.
Set the slow cooker to a ‘warm setting.’
Allow the cooked pulled pork to reheat for 2-3 hours.
Check the internal temperature before serving, and add some barbeque sauce if needed.

Reheating food suffers a loss of quality. But, if you choose the right method and technique, it is possible to restore the best taste. Remember that if you store a whole pork butt, it is best to shred it before reheating. This will ensure that the meat is evenly cooked throughout and tastes delicious.