You did all the work by cooking that pork slowly, and the reward was a huge, golden-brown, juicy pile of pork that fell apart when you touched it. It was too much for your family to eat all at once, though, and now you want to know how to make the most of the food that’s left over. Don’t listen to what other people say—you can eat that delicious pork roast for days, and it won’t taste dry or look like dirty dishwater. Here’s how to reheat pulled pork so thats just as good on day two (and three and four).
Pulled pork is the ultimate comfort food. When you slow cook pork shoulder or pork butt in your crock pot the meat becomes fall-apart tender and infused with delicious smoky barbecue flavor. It’s no wonder leftovers never last long! But reheating pulled pork can dry it out if you don’t do it right. Follow this easy method to reheat pulled pork in a crock pot to keep it juicy and delicious.
Why Use a Crock Pot to Reheat Pulled Pork?
A crock pot is the ideal way to reheat pulled pork for several reasons:
- It reheats the pork evenly all the way through without drying it out.
- The slow, gentle heat keeps the texture tender.
- It allows you to reheat a large batch for meal prepping or a crowd.
- You can keep the pork warm in the crock pot for serving buffet-style.
Oven baking is another good reheating option, but if you need to keep the pulled pork warm for an extended time, the crock pot can’t be beat
How Long Does it Take to Reheat Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot?
The reheating time depends on a few factors
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Amount of pork: The more meat you’re reheating, the longer it will need. For 1-2 pounds of pulled pork, plan on 1-2 hours on low. For a very full crock pot, allow 3-4 hours.
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Serving temperature: If you want the pork piping hot, allow more time. If warm is fine, shorten the time.
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Crock pot size: Smaller pots will reheat faster than larger ones. Consider the quantity you’re reheating versus the size of your crock.
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Meat thickness: Thinly shredded or chopped pork will reheat faster than big chunks.
As a general guideline, 1-3 hours on low is sufficient for reheating most amounts of pulled pork to a hot serving temperature.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for foolproof pulled pork reheating in the crock pot:
1. Prepare the Pork
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If the pork has been refrigerated, let it come to room temperature before reheating. This shortens the time needed.
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If there are any large chunks of pork, break them down into smaller shreds so the meat reheats evenly.
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If the pork seems dry, sprinkle it with a little barbecue sauce, chicken or beef broth, or apple cider vinegar to add moisture.
2. Add Liquid
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Pour 1⁄2 cup of liquid over the pork for each pound you’ll be reheating.
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Good options are barbecue sauce, broth, apple juice, soda, or beer.
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The liquid provides heat conduction and keeps the pork juicy.
3. Cook on Low
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Add the pork to the crock pot and pour the liquid over the top.
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Cover and cook on the low setting for 1-3 hours until heated through.
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Stir halfway for even heating. Add more liquid if needed.
4. Adjust Sauce and Serve
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Once hot, the pork may need more sauce for flavor and moisture.
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Taste and add more barbecue sauce if desired.
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Serve warm on buns or over baked potatoes, mac and cheese, cornbread, etc.
Handy Tips for Crock Pot Pulled Pork Success
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Don’t overload the crock. Leave room for heat circulation.
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Shred with forks rather than chopping for ideal texture.
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Keep it moist. Add sauce, broth, or cider vinegar as needed.
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Letting the pork rest in the juices after cooking improves flavor.
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For buffets, switch to warm setting after initial reheating.
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Stir occasionally and add liquid to prevent drying out.
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If reheating a big batch, divide between two small crock pots.
More Delicious Ways to Enjoy Pulled Pork
Beyond sandwiches, try these tasty ways to use your leftover (or freshly made) pulled pork:
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Pile on baked potatoes with fixings like cheese, sour cream, and scallions.
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Make cheesy pork nachos by topping tortilla chips with pulled pork and melted cheese.
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Stuff into empanadas or tamales for handheld pork pockets.
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Fold into omelets, frittatas, or scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast.
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Toss with cooked pasta and barbecue sauce for a quick pasta dinner.
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Layer into shepherd’s pie or pot pie with veggies and mashed potatoes.
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Dump on a sheet pan with barbecue sauce and broil until crispy to make pizza topping.
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Mix with mayo and stuff into a lettuce wrap for a fresh, lighter option.
As you can see, pulled pork is incredibly versatile. Keep your crock pot reheating technique in mind so you can enjoy delicious leftovers for days. With the right method, reheated pulled pork can taste just as amazing as the day it was first cooked. Just be sure to save me a sandwich!
How to Reheat Pulled Pork in the Oven
Like the Crock-Pot method, warming up a pork roast in the oven at a low temperature keeps all the great flavors and juices in. Again, you’ll need to plan ahead for this method to work, but getting your leftovers ready thirty minutes to an hour before you eat them should be enough.
- Preheat your oven to 225°F. (Yes, this is low, but trust us and don’t turn it up.) ).
- Put the pork roast and its juices in a Dutch oven or roasting pan that is the right size. Then add half a cup of water, stock, or juice. Note: If you use a roasting pan without a lid, make sure to tightly seal the dish by crimping two layers of foil around the pan’s edges. This will keep any steam inside from escaping. ).
- Once the oven is hot, put the roast in and let it cook for about 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to help you. Trick: Put the meat under the broiler for a minute or two after it’s fully cooked to crisp up the fat and make it taste like it did the first time.
How to Reheat Pulled Pork in a Slow Cooker
This method takes a little bit of planning but is otherwise totally hands-off. It can take anywhere from two to four hours of low heat to reheat pulled pork in a slow cooker, depending on how much meat is in it. Roasts that have been kept whole will take longer than leftovers that have already been pulled. You are, in fact, playing the long game, which makes sense since this animal moves slowly and low. Thankfully, it’s hardly a chore—this clever kitchen appliance will do all the hard work for you.
- Put the pulled pork in the Crock-Pot and cover it with the pan juices. If you skimmed too much fat, don’t worry—water or stock can be used instead of the pork juices. (But be sure to save them next time. ) .
- Press the “warm” button on your slow cooker and leave it alone for two hours, or until a meat thermometer reads 165°F, which is the safe zone.
- When you reach your goal, eat what’s left. The leftovers might taste even better than the main dish you made.
Simple Pulled Pork Re-Heating Method
How to reheat pulled pork in crock pot?
Here, Sidoti shares her six steps for reheating pulled pork in the crock pot. Place the pulled pork in the crock pot. Pour the leftover sauce on top of the pulled pork. Turn your crock pot on and set it to warm. Reheat for about two to four hours. Check the temperature before serving.
Can you cook pulled pork in a crock pot?
Place the pulled pork in the crock pot. Pour the leftover sauce on top of the pulled pork. Turn your crock pot on and set it to warm. Reheat for about two to four hours. Check the temperature before serving. The temperature of the meat should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving. Remove the pulled pork from the crock pot and serve.
How do you reheat pulled pork on the stove?
Reheating pulled pork on the stove is a straightforward task that yields delicious results. Place the pulled pork in a saucepan over low heat, adding a bit of water or broth to keep the meat moist. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Once the pork reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, it’s ready to serve.
Can You reheat pulled pork in an Instant Pot?
Instant pots aren’t just great for fast cooking, they’re great for reheating too! Place your pulled pork in the Instant Pot, add a bit of liquid (broth, BBQ sauce, or even a little apple juice works wonders) so it’s just as juicy the second time you eat it as it was the first time, and set it to the “Saute” function.