Pulled pork is an item that is commonly found on most people’s regular menus.
You know that there’s a ton of good stuff happening at your favorite barbecue joint, but you can only eat so many ribs before it starts to get stale.
What do you do with your leftover pulled pork?
You could eat it cold and enjoy its deliciousness all week, or you could freeze it for later use.
We’ll show you how long pulled pork lasts in the fridge and what you should be doing with it after it goes bad.
We also have tips on how to make sure your pulled pork stays fresh and tasty, as well as some great pulled pork recipes.
How long does pulled pork last in the fridge?
For those who are wondering how long pulled pork lasts in the refrigerator, this will depend on the quality of the meat and how long it was stored prior to cooking it.
If you store your pork in the fridge in an airtight container, then it will probably last up to three days, depending on the temperature.
However, if you refrigerate it in a baggie or plastic wrap (and don’t reuse it), then it may not last much longer than two days.
If you want to keep your pulled pork from going bad too quickly, you need to take extra measures.
This includes wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil, using a vacuum sealer, and placing it into a ziploc bag.
You can also add a pinch of salt and a few drops of liquid smoke to prevent any bacteria growth while keeping it fresh and flavorful.
What is the best way to store pulled pork?
You can keep pulled pork in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
The longer you leave it out, the more likely it will start to dry out.
If you need to use it sooner than five days, you can reheat it by wrapping it in foil and placing it in an oven set to 350° Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.
Once it has been heated through, you can serve it on top of rice or potatoes, or even as part of a sandwich.
The best way to store pulled pork is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it back in the fridge.
This will help prevent any moisture loss and ensure that the pork stays juicy and tender.
How can you tell if pulled pork has gone bad?
There are several signs that pulled pork has gone bad.
When you open up the package, it should smell sweet and moist.
If it smells like dry meat, then it’s probably not going to taste very good when you cook it.
Another sign that pulled pork has gone bad is if it is hard and dry.
It will also look different than when you first opened the package.
It may even look like hamburger meat.
If the meat looks like hamburger meat, then it probably tastes like hamburger meat.
There are ways to fix this problem, though.
Pulled pork that has been frozen will still taste good when reheated.
You can also add more moisture back into the meat by cooking it longer.
This way, you won’t have to worry about having a dry sandwich.
When you take pulled pork out of the freezer, you want to defrost it slowly.
Put it in the refrigerator overnight and let it sit there for 24 hours before using it.
That way, the fat will melt away and you can pull off the excess fat without wasting any of it.
The next step is to season the meat.
Seasoning pulls pork is important because the meat needs to absorb flavor from the seasoning.
The salt helps draw out the juices that are locked inside the meat.
The seasoning also gives the meat a nice texture, which makes it easier to chew.
You can season it while it cooks or you can refrigerate it and add the seasoning when you pull it out of the fridge.
Either way works just fine.
What are some good recipes for pulled pork?
Pulled pork is one of those foods that you can easily cook up yourself and then freeze for future meals.
Here are some of our favorites:
Pulled Pork Tacos (with homemade salsa)
Pulled Pork Sliders (with BBQ sauce)
Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese (with BBQ sauce)
Pulled Pork Chili (with beans)
Pulled Pork Taco Salad (with tortillas)
Pulled Pork Sandwiches (with mustard)
Pulled Pork Potato Soup (with bacon)
Pulled Pork Burrito Bowl (with lettuce)
Pulled Pork Cheddar Rolls (with cheese)
While we love these recipes, they are just a few of the endless possibilities.
Pulled pork doesn’t need to be served on a bun, either!
There are some great ways to pair pulled pork with other foods, too.
Check out this list of pulled pork side dishes, which includes some great ideas for pairing pulled pork with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, rice, and more.
If you want to learn even more about pulled pork, check out some of our articles below:
The Best Ways to Cook Pulled Pork
The Best Ways to Eat Pulled Pork
The Best Ways to Make Pulled Pork Sandwiches
The Best Ways to Make Pulled Pork Tacos
5 Ways to Use Leftover Pulled Pork
10 Healthy Recipes Using Pulled Pork
How Long Does Pulled Pork Last In The Fridge?
How to Store Leftover Pulled Pork
How to Freeze Pulled Pork
How long does pulled pork last in the freezer?
The short answer is a few months.
The longer answer is a little bit more complicated than that.
Pulled pork is best when served hot.
It doesn’t keep well in the fridge because the sauce gets pretty runny.
If you want to keep it around, you need to cook it again within a couple weeks or freeze it right away.
If you choose to freeze it, we recommend wrapping it tightly in foil and freezing it for up to three months.
After that time, you can thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
To prevent freezer burn, which happens when food begins to dry out from being frozen too long, you should wrap your meat in plastic wrap first.
Once it’s been defrosted, you can re-freeze it if you like.
Just make sure you don’t put it back in the same bag that contained it initially.
You can also freeze shredded pork in ice cube trays or Ziploc bags.
When you take it out of the freezer, place it back into the original container.
Let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes before eating it.
This helps the fat separate from the rest of the meat and makes it easier to chew.
Also, remember that you can always toss the ice cubes into soups and stews to add flavor.
As for cooking it, you can grill it or bake it.
Simply coat it in an oil mixture and then sear it over high heat.
Then transfer it to a slow cooker and let it simmer until tender.
You can even bake it! Check out our guide to baking pulled pork for ideas.
What is the best way to reheat pulled pork?
If you’re eating a large amount of pulled pork, then you might want to try freezing it.
It can keep indefinitely, and you can reheat it in the microwave or by cooking it in the oven.
If you don’t have time to cook it, though, then you can just stick it in the fridge and enjoy its excellent flavor for several days.
You can also throw your leftover pulled pork into a crockpot for an easy homemade meal.
Just add any vegetables you like, and you can set it up for a day or two, depending on how much you’ve got.
If you need to warm up your leftovers quickly, then you can heat them in the microwave.
Make sure to wrap it tightly in aluminum foil first, so the moisture doesn’t escape.
You can even toss it in the oven if you want to speed things up a bit.
Once you’ve warmed it up, you can serve it over rice or potatoes.
If you’re using a slow cooker, you can also put it in there on low heat to warm it up.
There’s no right or wrong way to reheat pulled pork.
The key is to take care of it while it’s hot.
Don’t let it sit out for too long, and definitely don’t expose it to direct sunlight or high temperatures.
Here are some other ways to reheat pulled pork that we’ve mentioned before:
Slow-cooker method
Microwave method
Oven method
What are some common pulled pork mistakes?
If you’re not careful, your pulled pork will go from being perfectly cooked to going bad in no time.
Here are the top five things you need to avoid when cooking pulled pork.
Overcooking
Pulled pork is already tender, but if you overcook it, it will become mushy.
If you want it to hold up better in your sandwiches for lunch, cook it until it reaches 170 degrees F (77 C) for medium-rare meat and 180 degrees F (82 C) for well-done meat.
Make sure to keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!
Undercooked meat
Pork is lean, so it needs to be cooked through to ensure you don’t end up with dry, tough meat.
Cook it until you reach 160 degrees F (71 C), which may take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your roast and the heat of your stovetop.
Frozen meat
If you’ve got frozen pulled pork sitting around, chances are you won’t remember exactly how much seasoning went into it.
It might taste fine now, but once it thaws out, it’s best to toss it.
You can always add more seasonings the next day, though.
Warm meat
When you put hot food in the refrigerator, it cools down quickly, so don’t leave any meat in the warmer than you plan to serve it.
This results in a quick loss of flavor and texture.
Once it’s cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in the freezer.
That way, you can pull it out whenever you need it without worrying about it getting too cold.
Not enough liquid
If you didn’t cook your meat until it was fully done, it will dry out when stored.
Adding some extra sauce or stock to your meat will help prevent this.
Now that we’ve gone over the top five things you should never do with pulled pork, let’s look at how long it lasts in the fridge.
What are some good sides for pulled pork?
When you pull pork, you end up with a lot of meat.
A whole roast pig might yield enough pulled pork for 20-30 meals.
That’s why it’s important to keep some of your pulled pork aside for other uses, like sandwiches and sides.
Here are some ideas for pulled pork sides.
Hoppin’ John – This classic Southern side dish consists of rice, black eyed peas, and bacon.
It’s an easy and inexpensive way to add protein to your diet without spending too much money.
Fried Green Tomatoes – Fried green tomatoes are one of those dishes that everyone loves, even if they don’t know exactly what they taste like.
They’re made from fried green tomatoes, which are basically just slices of tomato seasoned with salt, pepper, and olive oil.
The best part about this recipe is that it uses the same ingredients as pulled pork!
Mashed Potatoes – Mashed potatoes are a must when you’re having pulled pork.
Just like mashed potatoes, these are made from potatoes and milk, but they usually contain cheese, sour cream, and more.
You can serve them alongside your barbecued meats for extra flavor.
Pinto Beans – Pinto beans are another traditional side dish that comes out of the American South.
This bean has been a mainstay in Southern cuisine since the 1800s, and it’s still popular today.
These beans are simple to prepare and go well with almost any meal.
Grilled Corn – Grilling corn gives it a sweet flavor that’s perfect for summertime.
You can grill the corn directly over coals or charcoal briquettes, or you can marinate it in BBQ sauce first.
Either way, grilled corn is a refreshing side dish that will bring life back into your taste buds.
Jalapeno Poppers – Jalapenos are a common ingredient in pulled pork, but they’re also pretty darn hot!
If you want something a little milder, try making jalapeno poppers instead.
These are stuffed with ground beef and topped with cheese and jalapenos.
They’re a fun party food that everyone will love.
Smoky Bacon Wrapped Egg Rolls – Egg rolls are a popular snack in Chinese cuisine, but they’re also a great addition to pulled pork.
To make egg rolls, you wrap strips of meat around savory fillings like crab, shrimp, or ham.
They’re also called fried wontons!
Cobb Salad – One of the easiest salads to make, cobb salad is a mixture of lettuce, tomatoes, and crumbled bacon.
It’s a classic combination that’s perfect for pulling pork.
What is the best way to cook pulled pork?
If you want to pull pork for dinner tonight, you need to check out our guide to cooking pulled pork right now!
The key to pulling pork is making sure the meat has plenty of time to rest after being cooked.
This allows the flavor to develop while the juices settle back into the meat.
If you try to serve the pork too soon, the sauce will run off onto the plate and leave you with dry, bland meat.
Pulled pork doesn’t hold up well when stored in the refrigerator either.
The fat will start to melt and drip down your plate, leaving you with a soggy mess.
It’s important to keep your pulled pork refrigerated until you’re ready to eat it.
There are two ways to store pulled pork in the fridge if you don’t plan on eating it within an hour or so.
First, you can wrap it tightly in foil and place it in the freezer.
Second, you can store it in a vacuum-sealed bag (or container).
The first option keeps your food from drying out, but it won’t keep the pork as moist as storing it in the fridge.
Vacuum-sealing the pork ensures that it stays nice and juicy.
The following recipe is for one person, but you can easily scale this up by adding more ingredients to feed more hungry mouths.
Ingredients:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
5 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 pound boneless pork shoulder
What is the nutritional value of pulled pork?
If you’re curious about the nutrient content of pulled pork, you’ve come to the right place.
Pulled pork is made from pork shoulder, which has high levels of protein and fat.
The best part is that they don’t add any extra ingredients to the meat to boost its nutrition — all of the nutrients are naturally present in the pork itself.
The USDA Food Composition Database shows that 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of pulled pork contains 456 calories, 23 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 0 milligrams of trans fat, 1 gram of fiber, 22 grams of carbohydrates, and 37 grams of protein.
This means that one serving of pulled pork contains approximately 5 percent of your daily recommended intake of calories and 10 percent of your daily recommended intake of protein.
These numbers are not ideal if you want to lose weight, but if you need more than just energy, this food will give you plenty of protein.
Pork Vindaloo
Equipment
- 1 saucepan
- 1 Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and crushed
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon coriander ground
- 1 teaspoon cardamom ground
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg ground
- 1/2 pound pork shoulder cut into 1-inch cubes
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until they begin to turn translucent, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Add the garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper and stir to mix.
- Then add the vinegar and simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the spices and cook for 1 minute longer.
- Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.
- Prepare the meat, and marinate the meat overnight in a mixture of vinegar, water, brown sugar, mustard seeds, chili powder, salt, turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom pods and bay leaves.
- Next, bring the meat and liquid to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium heat and cook until the meat is tender.
- After removing the meat, drain off the excess liquid.
- Add the meat back to the pot and stir thoroughly.
- Finally, season the meat with more mustard seeds, chili powder, turmeric, salt and pepper.
- Add the sauce and serve hot with rice, naan bread or steamed white potatoes.
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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