Pulled pork is one of my favorite comfort foods. The smoky, tender meat just melts in your mouth, especially when paired with a tangy barbecue sauce. But cooking up a big batch of pulled pork often means having leftovers. So can you shred pulled pork after refrigerating it, or will it ruin the texture?
I did some research on proper storage and shredding techniques, and made some delicious pulled pork to test it out myself. Here’s what I learned about waiting to shred pulled pork after refrigeration.
How to Store Leftover Pulled Pork
Proper storage is crucial for keeping pulled pork fresh. Here are some tips:
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Let the pork cool completely before refrigerating Putting hot pork straight into the fridge can lead to bacteria growth
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Store pulled pork in an airtight container This prevents the meat from drying out in the fridge
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For maximum freshness, store pork shreds in a sealed bag or vacuum-sealed pouch to remove air exposure.
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Wrap leftover whole pork shoulder tightly in foil or butcher paper. This helps lock in moisture.
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Use cooked pork within 4 days. It will last longer when properly stored, but for absolute best quality, eat within 3-4 days.
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For longer storage, freeze pulled pork for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge before using.
No matter what, make sure to refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. This prevents harmful bacteria growth.
Can You Shred Cold Pulled Pork?
Yes, you can absolutely shred refrigerated pulled pork. However, shredding cold pork takes a bit more effort than shredding freshly cooked meat.
The main hurdle is that the fat has re-solidified after chilling in the fridge. This makes the pork less tender and harder to pull apart. The meat also loses moisture in the fridge, drying it out.
That said, with a few extra steps, you can still get deliciously tender shredded pork from leftovers:
Reheat the Pork
Gently warm up refrigerated pork shoulder before shredding. This melts the fat again and makes the meat much easier to pull apart into shreds.
You can reheat pulled pork in the oven, slow cooker, microwave, or on the stovetop over low heat. Just be sure to use a thermometer and reheat to 165°F internally for food safety.
Use a Meat Tenderizer
If the pork seems tough after reheating, use a meat mallet or tenderizer tool to help break down the fibers. Gently pounding the meat makes it more tender and shred-ready.
Moisten the Meat
If refrigeration dried out your leftover pork, add a bit of moisture back in before shredding. Use broth, barbecue sauce, or apple cider to rehydrate the pork.
With these tips, refrigerated pulled pork can be just as delicious as when it was first cooked. The key is gentle reheating so the texture stays tender and juicy.
Should You Shred Pork Right After Cooking?
Shredding pulled pork immediately after cooking does have some advantages:
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The pork shreds most easily when hot and tender.
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You’ll capture all the flavorful juices released during shredding.
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The pork likely has the ideal texture when freshly cooked.
However, allowing the pork to rest before shredding has benefits too:
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Resting helps retain moisture, so the shredded meat doesn’t dry out.
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Natural juices have time to redistribute through the meat.
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Allows the pork shoulder time to complete cooking. The temperature will rise a bit more.
My recommendation is to let the pork rest at least 30-60 minutes after cooking and before shredding. Cover it loosely in foil during this time so it stays hot. Then you get tender, juicy pulled pork without losing too much moisture.
You can also refrigerate whole pork shoulder overnight and shred later. Just be sure to reheat it gently before pulling it apart.
Step-by-Step Guide for Shredding Refrigerated Pulled Pork
Follow these simple steps for shredding refrigerated pork shoulder:
1. Prepare the Leftover Pork
Take pork out of the fridge and unwrap it. Place in a microwave-safe dish, Dutch oven, or oven-safe pan. Add a splash of chicken broth, apple juice, or water to add back moisture lost during refrigeration.
2. Reheat the Pork
Heat pork using the oven or microwave until warmed through. Shoot for an internal temp of 155-165°F. This renders the fat and makes the meat tender again.
Oven method: Heat oven to 300°F. Cover dish with foil. Warm for 45 mins – 1 hour.
Microwave method: Heat covered dish in 30 second bursts, checking between. Go until hot internally.
3. Rest and Shred
Let pork rest about 10 minutes once reheated. Then use forks or hand shred, pulling meat apart into bite-size pieces.
Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer with paddle attachment fitted to speed up shredding once meat is tender.
4. Moisten and Serve
If needed, drizzle on more barbecue sauce, apple juice, etc to add moisture back to the shredded pork. Serve warm and enjoy!
As long as you take the time to properly reheat refrigerated pork shoulder, shredding it is quick and easy. With this method, you can prep pulled pork in advance for meals all week long.
Common Questions About Pulled Pork Storage
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about storing and reheating pulled pork:
How long does cooked pulled pork last in the fridge?
Properly stored, cooked pulled pork will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Make sure to seal it in an airtight container.
Can you freeze leftover pulled pork?
Absolutely! Freeze pulled pork for up to 4 months. Use vacuum sealed bags or airtight containers. Thaw in the fridge before using.
What’s the best way to reheat pulled pork?
Gently reheat pulled pork in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This keeps the texture tender. Bring it to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Is it safe to reheat pulled pork more than once?
It’s best to only reheat pulled pork once for food safety. The more times it’s reheated, the higher risk of bacteria growth. Leftovers beyond 4 days should be discarded.
Can you use a slow cooker to reheat pulled pork?
Yes, a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours does a nice job gently reheating refrigerated pulled pork without drying it out.
With the right storage and reheating methods, leftover pulled pork can be just as delicious as the freshly smoked version. Now you never have to waste delicious shreds when cooking up a big batch. Just refrigerate and revive with a few easy steps.
Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Pulled Pork
Beyond sandwiches and platters, here are some fun ways to repurpose leftover pulled pork:
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Pulled Pork Omelets – Add shredded pork to omelets with cheese, onions, peppers, etc.
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Pulled Pork Tacos – Fill corn or flour tortillas with reheated pork, salsa, and taco toppings.
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Pulled Pork Pizza – Top pizza crust with pork, barbecue sauce, cheese, red onion, and pineapple.
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Pulled Pork Salad – Toss pork with lettuce, tomatoes, beans, corn, cheese, and ranch or vinaigrette.
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Pulled Pork Casserole – Combine shredded pork with rice or baked potatoes and top with cheese.
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Pulled Pork Nachos – Pile pork on tortilla chips with beans, cheese, guacamole, etc.
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Pulled Pork Stuffed Potatoes – Fill baked potatoes with pulled pork and cheese, broil until crispy.