Curly’s pulled pork is a delicious convenient pre-cooked pulled pork product that’s great for quick weeknight meals or easy entertaining. With its tender smokey pork and sweet, tangy barbecue sauce, it’s tasty straight from the pouch. But when you want to stock up or buy in bulk for a party, freezing is the way to go.
Properly freezing Curly’s pulled pork allows you to enjoy the same great flavor and texture for months to come. All it takes is a few simple steps.
In this complete guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about freezing Curly’s pulled pork to maintain optimal freshness and quality, based on my years of experience and barbecue prowess. Let’s get started!
An Overview of Curly’s Pulled Pork
For those not familiar with the product, here’s a quick rundown on Curly’s pulled pork:
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Fully cooked. smoked pulled pork in barbecue sauce
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Comes in a 16 oz resealable pouch
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Features a blend of pork, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, vinegar, and spices
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Needs only quick reheating before serving
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Shelf-stable until opened, then lasts 5 days refrigerated
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Convenient for tacos, sandwiches, rice bowls, nachos, and more
It’s ready in just minutes, making it perfect for busy family dinners, game day snacking, or potlucks when you don’t have time to smoke a pork shoulder for 12 hours.
Benefits of Freezing Curly’s Pulled Pork
Freezing is ideal for stocking up when Curly’s pulled pork goes on sale, prepping make-ahead meals, or buying in bulk for large gatherings. Here are some of the benefits:
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Longer shelf life – Properly frozen, it lasts for many months instead of just days
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Money saving – Lets you stock up on sales and always have it on hand
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Batch cooking – Make a month’s worth of meals or sides in advance
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Convenience – Ready to thaw and eat whenever you want pulled pork
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Avoid waste – Freezing leftovers prevents spoilage in the fridge
With minimal effort, you can enjoy delicious pulled pork for months to come!
How Long Does Curly’s Pulled Pork Last Frozen?
When stored continuously at 0°F, Curly’s pulled pork that is vacuum sealed or tightly wrapped will maintain optimal quality and freshness for:
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2-3 months – Texture and moisture begins declining slightly after this point
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4-6 months – Still retains good flavor, but pork dries out more over time
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6-12 months – Quality decreases but pork still usable in dishes if moisture loss accounted for
For the best flavor and performance when cooking or reheating, use within 3 months. Up to 6 months is acceptable if frozen properly in an airtight package. After a year, the dried pork shreds work better mixed into sauces, tacos, casseroles and such.
How to Prepare Curly’s Pulled Pork for Freezing
To freeze Curly’s pulled pork like a pro:
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Cool to room temperature – Don’t freeze hot pouches straight from the microwave. Cool completely first.
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Package in portions – For easy thawing and use, divide into meal-sized amounts in zip top freezer bags. Squeeze out air.
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Seal airtight – Use a vacuum sealer or the water submersion method to remove air and prevent freezer burn.
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Label bags – Include contents, amount, and freeze date for easy identification.
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Freeze flat – Lay bags flat in a single layer to freeze solid quickly. This maintains quality.
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Use within 3-6 months – For optimal freshness and texture, use frozen pork within 6 months.
Follow these simple steps, and your Curly’s pulled pork will taste freshly smoked even after freezing.
How to Freeze Curly’s Pulled Pork in Original Pouch
If freezing in the original 16 oz pouches, here are some tips:
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Allow unopened pouches to fully cool to room temperature before freezing.
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Leave a small air gap at the top of the pouch when sealing to allow for expansion.
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Double wrap pouches in plastic wrap or foil for extra protection.
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Flatten pouches to freeze flat and solidify quickly.
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Use pouches within 2-3 months for best moistness and flavor.
The original packaging works if doubling up on protection. But for longer frozen storage, divide into meal portions in freezer bags first.
Thawing Safely
Always thaw frozen Curly’s pulled pork properly in the refrigerator, cold water, or microwave:
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Refrigerator – For slow thawing, leave overnight in fridge.
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Cold water – Place sealed bag in cold water, changing water every 30 mins.
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Microwave – Thaw on defrost setting, then cook immediately.
Don’t thaw at room temperature or in hot water, as this allows bacteria to grow. Cook within 1-2 days after thawing.
Tips for Maintaining Quality When Freezing
Follow these tips to help Curly’s delicious pulled pork retain moisture, texture, and flavor in the freezer:
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Package in smaller portions to limit ice crystals and texture changes from re-freezing.
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Use freezer bags designed for long-term freezing. Standard bags can become brittle.
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Squeeze out as much air as possible and get an airtight seal.
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Prevent freezer burn by double wrapping pouches. Use plastic wrap or foil as a second barrier.
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Fill bags 3/4 full to leave room for food to expand as it freezes.
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Place bags flat in a single layer to freeze completely solid ASAP.
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Store at 0°F or below for longest shelf life. Buy a thermometer to monitor.
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Once thawed, use pulled pork within 3-5 days and don’t refreeze.
Taking steps to minimize air exposure and freeze quickly maintains the delicious quality of Curly’s pulled pork for months to come.
How to Use Frozen Curly’s Pulled Pork
Thawed frozen Curly’s is ready to eat and can be used in all your favorite recipes:
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Sandwiches – Pile high on buns or rolls for easy pulled pork sandwiches.
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Nachos – Top with cheese, beans, salsa and more for bbq nachos.
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Tacos – Add to soft tortillas with fixings for quick bbq tacos.
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Baked potatoes – Mix with butter, cheese, bacon and sour cream as a topping.
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Omelets – Stir some in with eggs for a smoky breakfast omelet.
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Casseroles – Mix into mac and cheese, baked beans, or cheesy chicken and rice.
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Pizza – Drizzle on pizza and sprinkle with cilantro instead of sauce.
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Salads – Toss with greens, veggies, nuts, and dressing for a filling main dish salad.
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Burgers – Pile it on beef or turkey patties for a tasty barbecue bacon burger.
The smoky flavor and tender shredded pork still shines when using previously frozen Curly’s in all kinds of dishes!
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about freezing Curly’s pulled pork:
How do you thaw frozen pulled pork quickly?
For fast thawing, seal the frozen bag and place in a bowl of cold water. Change the water every 30 mins until thawed.
Can you freeze it in the original pouch?
Yes, but double wrap the pouch in plastic wrap or foil to prevent freezer burn. Use within 2-3 months.
How long is thawed pulled pork good for in the fridge?
Use thawed pork within 3-5 days. The juices can spoil if kept too long.
Is it safe to refreeze thawed pulled pork?
Refreezing leads to additional moisture loss. For food safety, it’s best not to refreeze thawed meat if possible.
What’s the best way to reheat frozen pulled pork?
Microwave in short bursts, stir frequently, and add a splash of water or sauce to restore moisture.
Can you vacuum seal bags without a fancy machine?
Yes! Use the easy water immersion method. It removes air as effectively as a vacuum sealer.
How can you tell if frozen pork has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled pork include an off smell,slimy texture, unnatural color, or mold growth on thawed meat. Discard if any signs of spoilage.
The Takeaway
With proper freezing methods and storage conditions, Curly’s pre-cooked pulled pork maintains its signature flavor, moisture, and texture for months in the freezer. Portioning into meal sizes, vacuum sealing, rapid freezing, and using within 3-6 months are the keys to success.
Follow these pulled pork freezing tips, an