Pulled pork is revered by popular gourmet burger companies, world-class chefs, and experienced pitmasters around the globe. It’s not unusual for this delicious meaty treat to be served at house parties, weddings, and many other social events.
Compared to the other meats being offered in the market, pulled pork can hold its own weight with ease. It’s important to mention that many people prefer buying pulled pork because it’s reasonably priced. No, you don’t have to break the piggy bank to buy a generous amount of pulled pork.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not difficult to cook a large amount of pulled pork. This is one of the primary reasons why many culinary experts enjoy working with it in their kitchen.
Does pulled pork taste delicious the next day? Yes, it does. However, it’s imperative to point out that reheating pulled pork the next day can be a challenge. If you don’t take the proper measures, your meat will lose its texture and flavor. In short, you will have dried out mess on your hands. Who wants to deal with that? Fortunately for you, this article will cover several powerful methods that can help you reheat your meat with ease. If you take heed to these methods, your meat will be tender and full of flavor. Your stomach will appreciate your effort. Let’s get things underway.
1. Reheating Pulled Pork in Your Oven
It doesn’t take the genius of a brain surgeon to know that the oven is the top choice for reheating pulled pork. Who doesn’t use their oven to reheat their meat?
Many professional chefs prefer using this choice because the oven distributes heat through the meat evenly. When this happens, you can look forward to putting your hands on some tender meat.
Is there a top secret for reheating pulled pork in the oven? No, there’s no trade secret to this method.
You simply put the pork in the oven and set the timer. It’s just that simple. To be honest, a grade school student can reheat pulled pork without any difficulty.
Let’s go over five steps that will help you enjoy a tasty pulled pork dish in a short period of time:
- Preheat your oven to 250 degree Fahrenheit.
- Put your pulled pork into a baking pan and pour the leftover juices over your meat. Cover the pan with a lid (the lid will help the heat circulate properly in the baking pan).
- Allow your meat to bake until it gets to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer.
- Mix the pulled pork again with a fork or spoon.
- You can add liquid or sauce for more moisture (we recommend that you add liquid or sauce).
- Enjoy your delicious meal!
2. Reheat Your Meat on the Grill
Putting pork on the grill is not a bad idea. However, if you leave it on the grill too long, you will not be happy with the outcome.
There are thousands of grilling books being sold today. Unfortunately, most of them fail at showing readers how to use a grill to reheat pulled pork properly.
For instance, some authors of grilling books forget to mention that you must watch your pork closely. Some grilling novices simply place their pork on the coals and walk away. They are under the impression that it will be done within a few minutes.
To be honest, this grilling approach will always lead to poor results
Luckily for you, we decided to share the 2-zone cooking method with you. We use this method religiously. It works extremely well for us, and there’s no reason why it cannot work well for you.
You may not have heard of it, but it’s the best way to reheat pulled pork on the grill. This simple technique will keep your meat juicy.
2-zone Cooking Method:
- If you’re using a gas grill, turn one burner on high and keep the other burner turned off.
- If you’re using a charcoal grill, create the hot zone by piling your charcoal on one side of the grill.
- Turn up the temperature until the cool zone (indirect heat side) lands at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It’s now time for you to take your pork out of the refrigerator, and wrap it carefully in two layers of durable foil. If your meat was frozen, make certain it’s fully thawed before placing it into the foil. Now, it’s time for you to add ¼ cup of water. This will help your meat retain moisture.
- If BBQ pulled pork is on the agenda, coat your meat with your favorite barbeque sauce before wrapping it in foil.
- Put the pork package in the cool zone (indirect side) on the grill. It will be ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Carefully take your meat out of the foil. You don’t want the precious juices to spill out.
- Place your pork on the direct side of your grill. This will make it crispy. Place your meat in a pan first if your pork is shredded.
- Remove your pork from the grill. Shred it carefully. Pour the remaining juices on your meat. It’s time to eat!
3. Reheat Your Pork in the Microwave
Who doesn’t use a microwave? They are convenient. Everyone enjoys the idea of warming up their meat within minutes with the press of a few buttons.
When you use a microwave, there’s no hard work involved. That’s the beauty of having one in your kitchen.
Many fast food places and restaurants have several microwaves in their kitchen.
There’s a popular belief that microwaving grilled meat is hazardous to your health. However, Harvard University conducted an intense study on this controversial subject. For instance, they discovered that it was safe to reheat meat in a plastic container.
Their studies also show that you should stay away from reheating meat in a plastic storage bag or wrap. The chemicals in plastic storage bags and wraps can come in contact with your food. This can put your health in serious jeopardy!
According to the United States Food and Drug Administration, microwavable plastic containers are safe to use. You also have the option of using a microwave-safe glass
How long does it take for a microwave to reheat pulled pork? This is an exceptional question. It really depends on the size of your microwave. Larger microwaves have a higher wattage.
So, you can expect a larger microwave to reheat your meat faster.
It normally takes six to eight minutes to reheat pulled pork with a larger microwave.
On average, it takes six to nine minutes to reheat pulled pork in a smaller microwave.
Please keep in mind that you don’t want to warm up your meat in the microwave for an extended period of time. This will be counterproductive.
Here’s a special technique you should always keep in mind:
If you want your pulled pork to stay juicy, you should cover the microwavable dish with a wet paper towel. The wet paper towel will help trap the moisture in the meat.
There’s an old saying in life, “It’s the little things that count.” The wet paper towel trick may not seem like a big deal, but it can help retain the pork’s delicious flavor.
4. Using Your Skillet
It’s critical for you to avoid making the mistake of underestimating skillets. Skillets play a huge role in the kitchen. Some of the best chefs in the world will not hesitate to use a skillet to reheat their pork.
Reheating pulled pork in a skillet is a piece of cake. Just make sure you moisten the meat before placing it into the skillet. The water will do an excellent job at preserving the taste and texture.
You need the following items:
- Cooking spray (we recommend a reliable brand for best results)
- A skillet with a lid
- Red wine (please use a brand that suitable for cooking)
- Dripping sauce
Instructions:
- Begin by spraying your skillet with the nonstick cooking spray. Pour the dripping sauce evenly into your pan. It should cover at least two inches of your skillet.
- The dripping sauce will add more flavor to your pork.
- Turn the stove eye on. You can set it to medium or high heat. Allow the sauce to come to a boil. This should only take a few minutes.
- Add your meat to the pan and give it a good stir. Place the lid on the pan, and let it sit for five to seven minutes.
Thanks to the skillet, your pulled pork will be tender and full of flavor.
5. Reheat Pulled Pork with Steam
I’ve enjoyed steaming meat over the years. Steaming works extremely well for reheating pulled pork.
I really don’t understand why more people don’t use this method to reheat their pork.
Here are the steps:
- It’s important to keep all the contents of your drip pan while smoking or cooking.
- Allow your drippings to get at room temperature. When they reach that point, carefully scrape the fat from the top.
- Make sure you combine your meat and fat-free drippings before refrigerating. You can also store these tasty goodies in your freezer. The freezer will preserve this tasty combo for several months.
- When you’re ready to reheat your pulled pork, add some barbeque sauce or apple juice. Both will add more flavor to your meat. Make sure you avoid using too much.
- Pour a small amount of apple juice into your pot or crock pot. Allow it to come to a boil.
- Put your pork in a sturdy steaming basket, and place it over the boiling apple juice.
- Let your ingredients steam for half-n-hour, or until the meat reaches a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
I prefer using this method because it’s simple, healthy, and works extremely well. You don’t need years of experience in culinary arts to use this method. It mastered this method within one day.
6. Reheat Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
The crock pot can be found in thousands of kitchens around the world. This exceptional kitchen appliance can help you create a delicious meal with pure ease. I must point out that you can reheat smoked pulled pork with the crock pot.
No, the crock pot cannot reheat your pork within minutes. It will take a few hours for your crock pot to create a wonderful pork masterpiece. In most cases, you can look forward to enjoying your meal after two to four hours have passed.
Please keep in mind that you should save the pan drippings after you cook your pulled pork. It can be used to keep your pulled pork moist when you reheat it.
Have you heard of Claudia Sidoti? She is a world-renowned chef at HelloFresh. Let’s look at how she reheats pulled pork in the crock pot.
Instructions:
- Put your pulled pork in the crock pot.
- Carefully pour the leftover sauce on the meat.
- Set the crock pot to warm.
- Allow your meat to sit in the crock pot for two to four hours.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the meat is at 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving
- Take your pulled pork masterpiece out of the crock pot and enjoy.
Final Words
Millions of people around the world enjoy eating pulled pork. There’s this misconception that you cannot reheat pulled pork. Nothing can be further from the truth!
You can reheat pulled pork if you know what you’re doing. At the end of the day, it’s not rocket science.
Choosing the wrong reheating method can put your pulled pork in jeopardy. Who wants to eat dried meat?
Following the reheating pulled pork methods in this article will help you enjoy juicy and tasty meat.
Give these simple methods a try. You’ll be more than pleased with the outcome.