Does pulled pork freeze well? The answer is yes! And you can easily freeze pulled pork- all it requires is a bit of technique. If you have leftovers of cooked pulled pork, and want to know how to thaw frozen pulled pork or refreeze it, this is the guide for you.
We’re sharing some quick tips to teach you how to freeze pulled pork the right way and more, while maintaining that amazing pulled pork flavor and taste that we all know and love. Follow our tips carefully, especially when it’s time to defrost pulled pork.
Freezing Pulled Pork
First, make sure that the leftover pulled pork is completely cooled to help prevent freezer burn when the pulled pork freezes. You will also need a good-quality freezer bag and should remove as much air as possible to preserve its flavor. When the excess air is removed, it helps the single bag maintain the meat’s freshness for longer. Once you have thawed pulled pork, you can prepare a variety of delicious meals.
While freezing, remember to separate the juice from the pork. Put the cooking juice in a container or cup, and let it cool.
After the liquid cools down, you’ll see a layer of fat. Remove that layer, and preserve your liquid juice in a vacuum-sealed bag to re-use it again. To reheat, place your vacuum-sealed pork juice into boiling water – this takes less than 5 minutes.
Make Use of Airtight Containers
Pork tends to dry out while freezing. This is why it is important to wrap it nicely to remove the oxygen and freeze them in a vacuum sealer.
If you don’t have a vacuum seal, you can use an airtight container, but make sure to press it to prevent locking air in.
Wrap the pork tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and label the pork with the date it was made. This will help keep track of how long it has been in the freezer.
The frozen pulled pork can last up to six months in the freezer when completely wrapped in a bag. It can last for up to three to four days in the refrigerator.
Properly Defrost & Reheat Frozen Pulled Pork
When you are ready to reheat pulled pork, start thawing at room temperature for about an hour or in the refrigerator overnight, or you can soak it in cold water. Once it is thawed, you can opt for the best method to cook it – whether that be using the oven, grill, or a non stick pan on the stovetop.
Using a Microwave or Oven
If you decide to use a microwave for reheating pulled pork, choose a microwave-safe container that can withstand the temperature. The smaller containers tend to heat up faster.
To reheat using an oven, remember to add the saved juice. You can add barbecue sauce to your oven dish, or any other sauce you prefer. A great idea is to freeze the sauce in an ice cube tray so you can take it out and use it at any time. Just make sure to heat the sauce and pork until it is piping hot all the way through and mix well before serving.
Using the Slow Cooker Method
Once the pulled pork is properly thawed, you can reheat it in a slow cooker crock pot without having to watch over it. The slow cooked process is achieved in 5 easy steps.
- Defrost and thaw day before reheating.
- Set your cooker on medium to low and add the pulled pork in the pan.
- To keep it moisturized, add the cooking juices and BBQ sauce, and any additional sauce, stir it once during cooking.
- Leave to heat up until it reaches an internal temperature of 190F.
- Serve and enjoy your yummy warm meal!
Final Thoughts
With this guide, you can make good use of your favorite dry rub recipes and freeze it to use at a later date. Just make sure that the meat is sealed in freezer bags tightly and let all the air out to avoid bacterial growth and not have to worry about food safety issues during the freezing process. Whether you’re roasting a Boston butt or opting for the two forks method, your pork cuts will be as fresh as they were the first time round!
