How to Rescue Burnt Pulled Pork: The Ultimate Guide

Pulled pork is one of my favorite things to cook. The tender, juicy meat just melts in your mouth when done right. But we’ve all been there – you get distracted and end up burning the precious pork!

If this has happened to you, don’t throw it out just yet. With some clever tricks, you can transform that dry, burnt pulled pork into something delicious. Keep reading to find out how!

Common Causes of Burnt Pulled Pork

Before we get into the fixing, let’s look at why your pulled pork likely got burnt in the first place:

Cooking at Too High Temperature

Pork shoulder should be cooked slowly at lower temperatures – ideally 250°F to 300°F. Anything hotter than that can quickly burn and dry out the meat. Always keep an eye on the temperature if cooking pulled pork.

Not Enough Liquid

Pulled pork needs moisture to break down and tenderize the meat. If your pork is dry roasting without any liquid, it can easily burn on the outside before the inside is fully cooked. Make sure to add broth, juice, or even just water.

Forgetting to Check on It

We’ve all done it – you put the pork in the oven or smoker and get distracted by life. Before you know it, you’re smelling something burn. Set timers to remember to check it frequently.

Poor Quality Meat

Lower quality pork with less marbling can dry out and burn more easily. When possible, use a well-marbled pork shoulder for the juiciest pulled pork.

How to Fix Slightly Burnt Pulled Pork

If your pulled pork is only slightly overdone, there are some easy ways to improve it:

• Shred and moisten – Breaking the pork down and mixing it with sauce or broth distributes moisture and flavor,

• Make pulled pork tacos or sandwiches – The other ingredients help mask small imperfections in texture.

• Switch cooking methods – Move the pork to a slow cooker or instant pot if oven roasting overcooked it.

• Blend it into dips or soups – Blending small amounts of drier pork into flavorful dishes makes it unnoticeable.

• Remove very burnt sections – You can cut off and discard any portions that are extremely burnt.

Rescuing Badly Burnt Pulled Pork

For pork that is dried out all the way through, more intensive methods are needed:

Method 1: Rehydrate in Broth

Cover the pork in chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Allow it to soak for at least an hour, replenishing the broth as it absorbs. The natural collagen will break down and rehydrate the meat.

Method 2: Braising and Stewing

Chop the pork into bite-sized pieces. Cook in flavorful braising liquid like wine, tomatoes or barbecue sauce for 1-2 hours until fork tender. The smaller pieces will absorb moisture.

Method 3: Blend into Dips and Sauces

For very overcooked pork, blend or chop it finely then mix into creamy dips, spreads and sauces. The pork adds texture and smokiness, while the sauce keeps it moist.

Method 4: Use as Filler in Casseroles

Cube the pork and scatter it throughout casseroles as a smoky flavor booster. The soft texture blends in with other ingredients like rice or pasta.

Tips to Avoid Burning Pulled Pork

Now that you’re a pro at fixing burnt pulled pork, here are some tips to avoid it in the first place:

• Choose quality pork with good marbling.
• Keep the temperature between 250-300°F.
• Cover in liquid like broth, cola, juice or cider.
• Use a spray bottle to keep the surface moist.
• Wrap in foil to protect it if needed.
• Check it frequently and use a meat thermometer.
• Let it rest before pulling to allow juices to redistribute.

With these handy tricks, you can keep your pulled pork moist and delicious every time. Never let burnt pork go to waste again. Rescue it with broths, sauces, blending and more. Now get to the kitchen and start perfecting your pulled pork!