It is simple to make “too much” pulled pork, since “too much pulled pork” isn’t really a thing.
It’s a little harder to reheat pulled pork the next day, and if you don’t do it right, you might end up with a disappointingly dry mess.
This article will talk about how to store pulled pork so that it stays in great shape and how to reheat it so that it tastes just as good, if not better, than the day it was cooked.
You slaved for hours smoking the perfect pork butt. Now you have leftovers, but don’t know how to reheat them without ruining your masterpiece. Fear not! With the right techniques, you can reheat pork butt to be just as mouthwateringly tender and flavorful as the first time around.
Reheating this flavorful cut properly is crucial for bringing out its best qualities. Improper methods make it dry, tasteless, and rubbery. Follow this guide to refresh pork butt and take your leftovers from ho-hum to dynamite.
Why Reheating Pork Butt is Tricky
Pork butt, also known as Boston butt or pork shoulder, is a challenging cut to reheat. Here’s why:
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Large and Dense This thick heavily marbled cut doesn’t heat evenly leading to dry edges and undercooked centers.
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Dries Easily: The low moisture content means pork butt can quickly turn dry without the right reheating methods.
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Tough Texture High collagen content toughens the meat when overheated ruining its luscious tenderness.
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Fat Solidifies: The fat congeals when cooled, preventing flavorful juices from permeating the meat.
Knowing these pitfalls, let’s look at foolproof techniques for safely reheating juicy, tender pork butt.
Thaw Completely Before Reheating
Always thaw frozen pork butt fully in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Microwave thawing is not recommended, as it cooks the outer areas while leaving the inner meat frozen.
Slow refrigerator thawing allows even thawing for proper reheating. Try to plan ahead and leave the meat to defrost for at least 12-24 hours.
Once thawed, dry the pork butt thoroughly with paper towels before reheating. Excess moisture on the surface steams the meat instead of browning.
Oven Reheating for Hands-Off Convenience
The oven allows you to reheat pork butt easily with minimal monitoring needed. Simply wrap, bake, and serve juicy pork.
Step-by-Step Oven Method:
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Place pork butt in a roasting pan and add 1⁄2 cup broth, apple juice, or water.
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Wrap the pan tightly in two layers of foil to seal in moisture.
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Bake for 1-2 hours until heated through to 165°F internal temperature.
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Rest 10 minutes before unwrapping and slicing across the grain.
Tips for Oven Reheating:
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Add more liquid if reheating a second time to prevent drying out.
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Use leftover juices from initial cooking if available for extra flavor.
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Layering the pan with onions or aromatics adds flavor.
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Increase oven temp to 350°F if you want a slight crust.
The oven delivers fork-tender pork butt with little hands-on effort required.
Moist and Tender Slow Cooker Reheating
Using a slow cooker is ideal for reheating pork butt without it drying out. This method infuses flavor while gently heating.
How to Slow Cooker Reheat Pork Butt:
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Place pork butt in the slow cooker and add 1⁄2 to 1 cup liquid like broth, juice, or barbecue sauce.
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Cook on low for 4-6 hours, until pork is heated through to 165°F.
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Shred pork in the cooker juices for easy pulling.
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Increase to high and cook 30 mins to reduce juices to a glaze.
Tips for Slow Cooker Pork Butt:
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Cook time varies based on amount of meat and liquid added.
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Use a thermometer to check doneness instead of relying on time.
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Add spices, onions, peppers, or other veggies for extra flavor.
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Stir occasionally to redistribute juices and prevent burning.
The slow cooker reheats pork butt low and slow for ultimate juicy tenderness.
Using the Grill or Smoker
Got leftover smoked pork butt? Reheat it on the grill or smoker for extra smoky flavor.
How to Grill or Smoke Reheated Pork Butt:
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Prepare coals or heat smoker to 225-250°F. Use indirect heat.
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Place pork in a foil pan and add butter, broth, or barbecue sauce.
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Cook 1-2 hours with lid closed until heated through.
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Increase heat at end to crisp and caramelize exterior.
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Rest 10 minutes before pulling or slicing.
Tips for Grilled or Smoked Pork Butt:
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Use a thermometer to check for 165°F doneness.
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Add smoky flavors like mesquite, hickory, or applewood.
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Finish over direct heat to crisp the outside.
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Combine shredded pork with extra sauce for easy pulled pork.
The grill or smoker adds bonus flavor and crispy bits to reheated pork butt.
Microwave Reheating for Quick Meals
In a time crunch? The microwave reheats pork butt in minutes, great for quick weeknight meals.
How to Microwave Pork Butt:
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Place pork in a microwave-safe dish and cover tightly.
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Microwave 4-5 minutes per pound on 50% power.
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Rearrange and flip meat halfway through.
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Check temperature to ensure 165°F doneness.
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Let rest 2-3 minutes before slicing and serving.
Microwave Pork Butt Tips:
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Cut meat into smaller pieces for quicker reheating.
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Use a thermometer to test for doneness.
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Add broth or barbecue sauce to prevent drying out.
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Covering tightly steams the meat and retains moisture.
The microwave provides fast, fuss-free pork butt reheating perfect for busy nights.
Maintaining Moisture is Key
No matter which reheating method you use, keeping pork butt moist is vital. Follow these moisture-adding tips:
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Inject with broth, juice or sauce using an injector needle.
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Spritz or mop meat with liquid during oven or grill reheating.
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Chop or shred into smaller pieces to allow steam penetration.
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Wrap in foil and use reserved juices if possible.
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Add water pans or moist aromatics like onions to ovens and smokers.
With the right techniques, you can reheat pork butt to juicy perfection every time.
Handy Leftover Pork Butt Recipes
Leftover pulled pork butt is versatile for all types of delicious recipes. Try these tasty ideas:
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Pulled pork pizza with barbecue sauce, cheese, and red onion
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Pulled pork nachos loaded with all the fixings
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Pulled pork omelets or breakfast burritos with eggs and cheese
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Pulled pork sandwiches with slaw on brioche buns
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Pulled pork quesadillas with pepper jack cheese
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Pulled pork fried rice or stir fry with veggies and soy sauce
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Pulled pork mac and cheese or baked ziti for a hearty pasta dish
With endless possibilities for leftover pork butt, you’ll look forward to having delicious remains after parties or large cookouts. Simply reheat and get creative!
Next time you have leftover pork butt waiting in the fridge or freezer, follow these reheating methods to revive it to mouthwatering perfection. Low and slow heating with plenty of moisture is the key to avoiding a dried-out, chewy fate. Now you can reheat pork butt with confidence for tender, juicy results every time.
The secret to reheating pulled pork without drying it out
The best way to store pulled pork so that it stays as juicy and tasty when you reheat it is to do it the right way.
Please skip ahead if you only want to know how to reheat pulled pork. However, to follow the best way to reheat, you’ll need to store your pork correctly first.
When you cook pork ahead of time, leave it whole and don’t shred it until you’re ready to serve.
By leaving the pork butt whole, you keep more of the moisture in it and avoid the terrible dry-out that often happens with reheated meat.
Related – How to reheat brisket without making it dry
Reheating pulled pork with the Sous Vide method
Sous vide is a way to cook food by putting it in a hot water bath inside a bag that has been fully sealed. Sous vide, which means “under vacuum,” is a great way to cook meat that is very tender from the start. You can use it to cook your pulled pork.
You can buy a sous vide machine, or you can use a large stove-top pot. Sous vide can also be used to reheat your pulled pork from frozen, which is excellent if you don’t have 24 hours of defrosting time.
The downside of the sous vide method is that you will need a vacuum sealer to store the pork.
Fortunately, they are widely available and not particularly expensive.
- Either use a sous vide machine or a big pot on the stove to heat water to 165°F.
- Place the vacuum bags filled with pork into the machine/pot.
- Put the bags in the hot water bath for 45 minutes for every inch of length and width of the contents.
- When you’re ready to eat your frozen pork again, leave it in the fridge for an extra 30 minutes.
- Since the bag is sealed and sous vide uses indirect heat to reheat your meat, you don’t have to worry about adding more water.
Can I Reheat A Whole Pork Butt For Pulled Pork? – How To Reheat Smoked Pulled Pork | Reheating BBQ
FAQ
How do you reheat pulled pork without drying it out?
How do you reheat a fully cooked pork shoulder?
How do you heat up pork without drying it out?
How do you reheat pre cooked pork?
Can You reheat pulled pork?
You can reheat pulled pork using 4 different techniques. We all no reheating any meat in the oven is the best way to restore it to its former, tasty glory, especially if it is shredded meat. To reheat your leftover pulled pork in the oven, heat your oven to 225°F. Place your shredded pork butt or whole pork butt into an oven-safe dish.
How do you reheat leftover pork?
Prepare the Pork: Place the leftover pork in an oven-safe dish. For added moisture, mix in some leftover juices, barbecue sauce, or even a little apple juice. Cover with Aluminum Foil: This will help retain moisture and ensure even reheating.
How long should pork be reheated?
That being the case, the first step in moist and tender reheated pork is proper storage. For the grilled in advance pork, keep it whole unless you know you’ll only have 15-20 minutes to reheat and serve. The longer it’s in one piece, the better it will hold onto its moisture.
Can You reheat frozen pork?
Let the bags sit in the hot water bath for 45 minutes per inch of the thickness of the contents. If you are reheating your stored pork from frozen, leave it in there for an additional 30 minutes. You don’t need to worry about adding additional moisture because the bag is sealed and sous vide uses indirect heat to reheat your meat.