How to Reheat a Whole Pork Shoulder to Perfection

Reheating a whole pork shoulder can seem like an intimidating task. After all, you want the meat to come out just as moist, tender and flavorful as it was the first time around. Have no fear – with a few simple steps, you can reheat a pork shoulder so it tastes like it just came fresh off the smoker or rotisserie.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to reheat a whole pork shoulder. We’ll cover:

• The best methods for reheating a pork shoulder
• Step-by-step instructions for reheating in the oven
• Tips to keep the meat moist and flavorful
• How long to reheat a pork shoulder
• What temperature to reheat pork shoulder to
• Can you reheat pork shoulder in the microwave?
• Can you reheat pork shoulder in the slow cooker?
• How to keep the bark crispy when reheating
• How to reheat leftovers like pulled pork and carnitas

So let’s get started and learn how to revive those leftovers into a delicious hot meal!

Why Reheat a Whole Pork Shoulder?

Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt or pork butt, is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork It’s often smoked or roasted low and slow until ultra-tender and succulent.

Leftover pulled pork and carnitas make amazing tacos, sandwiches, pizza toppings and more. A whole smoked or roasted pork shoulder also makes for fantastic leftovers It’s economical, reheats beautifully, and the meat stays moist with all the connective tissue

Rather than chopping up or shredding the whole pork shoulder after the first cook, you can keep it whole. This helps retain moisture and makes reheating much easier. Simply reheat the whole shoulder, then pull, chop or slice as needed.

Best Methods for Reheating Pork Shoulder

Oven: The best and safest way to reheat a whole pork shoulder is in the oven. This allows the meat to heat evenly throughout without overdrying.

Microwave: You can reheat pork shoulder in the microwave but it’s easy to create hot and cold spots. Microwaving is best for small quantities.

Slow cooker: Using a slow cooker to reheat pork can work well but temperature control can be tricky. It’s better for reheating shredded pork.

Sous vide: Reheating pork shoulder sous vide guarantees tender, juicy meat. But it’s time-consuming and requires special equipment.

How to Reheat a Pork Shoulder in the Oven

Reheating pork shoulder in the oven is hands-down the best way to go. The gentle ambient heat evenly brings the meat up to temperature without drying it out. Here’s a simple process:

What You Need

• Whole leftover pork shoulder
• Aluminum foil
• Roasting pan or large baking dish
• Plastic wrap (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 325°F-350°F. You want a moderate temperature to gently reheat the pork.

2. If you have the pork shoulder wrapped or stored in butcher paper, remove the wrapping. If the pork isn’t wrapped, you may want to lightly wrap it in plastic wrap to help retain moisture. Make sure the plastic doesn’t touch the pork skin if it’s still on.

3. Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan or large baking dish. The container should be large enough to accommodate the pork without crowding it.

4. Pour about 1 cup of water, apple juice, chicken broth or wine into the bottom of the pan. This will create steam to help keep the meat moist.

5. Tightly wrap the entire pan in 2 layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. Make sure the foil completely seals the pan.

6. Place pan in the oven on the middle rack. Let it reheat for about 1 hour per pound. A 8-10 pound shoulder will need 8-10 hours.

7. Check the internal temp with a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F throughout the pork. If needed, re-cover with foil and continue reheating until it reaches 165°F.

8. Once fully heated, carefully remove the foil. Increase the oven temp to 400°F-450°F if you want to re-crisp the bark and skin.

9. Allow to rest 10-30 minutes before pulling, slicing or chopping. Enjoy your delicious reheated pork shoulder!

Pork Shoulder Reheating Times

• 1-3 pounds: 1-3 hours
• 4-6 pounds: 4-6 hours
• 7-10 pounds: 7-10 hours

This reheating method works wonderfully to revive a leftover smoked pork shoulder or rotisserie pork shoulder. The meat stays incredibly moist with all the fat and connective tissue. Just be sure to allow enough time for the pork to come completely up to temperature. Rushing it can lead to cold spots.

Pork Shoulder Reheating Tips

Follow these tips for the best results when reheating a whole pork shoulder:

• Bring the pork up to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Check in multiple spots with a thermometer.

• Allow plenty of time, reheating 1 hour per pound. Go low and slow.

• Keep the pork wrapped while reheating until the last 30-60 minutes if you want to re-crisp the bark.

• Add liquid like water, broth or juice to the pan to create steam and moisture.

• Preheat the oven to 325°-350°F for gentle, even reheating. Higher temps can dry out the meat.

• Once reheated, let the pork rest for 10-30 minutes before slicing or pulling.

• If possible, reserve defatted reheating juices to keep pulled pork moist.

• Don’t microwave a whole pork shoulder unless absolutely necessary. It can create hot and cold spots.

Follow these simple steps and tips for pulled pork, carnitas and smoked pork shoulders that taste amazingly moist and flavorful, even as leftovers. The reheating process helps the flavors develop even further.

Can You Reheat Pork Shoulder in the Microwave?

It’s not ideal, but you can reheat small amounts of pork shoulder in the microwave in a pinch. Just be very careful as microwave heating can create hot and cold spots.

Here are a few microwave reheating guidelines for pork:

• Stick to pieces or sliced pork, not a whole roast. Microwaves penetrate thinner cuts better.

• Use a lower power level, around 50%. High heat can toughen the meat.

• Heat pork for 1-2 minutes at a time, checking temperature in multiple spots. Continue heating and checking until it reaches 165°F.

• Let the pork rest at least 5 minutes after microwaving before serving.

• Add a bit of liquid to create steam and help cook evenly.

• Cover to hold in moisture, but vent so steam can escape.

While microwaving does work, it’s much easier to dry out the pork. For best flavor and moisture, oven reheating is superior.

Is It Possible to Reheat Pork Shoulder in a Slow Cooker?

You can reheat pork shoulder in a slow cooker, but it takes careful monitoring. Here are some tips:

• Shred or chop pork shoulder before putting it in the slow cooker. Trying to reheat a whole pork roast makes it hard to control temperature.

• Add moisture like broth, juice or salsa. The slow cooker won’t create steam like an oven.

• Cook on LOW only. High can overcook the outside before the inside is hot.

• Check the temperature hourly with a meat thermometer until the pork reaches 165°F.

• Avoid reheating more than 3-4 pounds of shredded pork at a time. The center may not heat evenly.

• Let pork rest 15 minutes after reheating for juices to redistribute.

While it is possible to reheat pork shoulder in the slow cooker, the oven is much easier. Slow cookers can heat unevenly and frequently overshoot temperature.

How to Keep the Bark Crispy When Reheating Pork Shoulder

One downside of reheating smoked or roasted pork shoulder is it can soften the crispy, flavorful exterior bark. Here are some tips to revive the bark:

• Leave any original bark uncovered during reheating to help it stay crispy.

• Unwrap and increase oven temp to 400°F-450°F for the last 30-60 minutes.

• Place pork directly on the oven rack during the last 30 minutes so the bark gets direct heat.

• Broil for just 1-3 minutes at the very end to add crunch. Watch closely to avoid burning.

• If bark loses crispiness, you can recreate it. Rub the pork with oil or mustard and sprinkle on a rub. Broil on high, watching closely, until barked.

It takes some effort, but you can retain or recreate the delicious, crispy bark when reheating pork shoulder with high, direct heat.

How to Reheat Pulled Pork, Carnitas and Leftovers

The techniques for reheating whole pork shoulder also apply to leftover pulled pork