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’ve made a big batch, leftovers are definitely a bonus. But reheating previously cooked pulled pork can dry it out or make it rubbery and unappealing.
Using a crock pot is one of the best ways to gently reheat pulled pork so it regains its original succulent texture. The slow, moist heating bath of the crock pot prevents the pork from drying out. Follow this complete guide to reheating leftover pulled pork in a crock pot to tender, juicy perfection.
Why Use a Crock Pot for Reheating Pulled Pork
A crock pot provides ideal conditions for reheating leftover pulled pork
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Gentle, even heating – Crock pots distribute heat evenly to prevent drying
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Moist environment – The tight lid traps moisture to keep pork tender.
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Low, slow cooking – Long cooking time allows fibers to reabsorb liquid.
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Hands-off convenience – Just add pork and walk away until heated through.
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Flavor infusion – Liquids like broth or barbecue sauce impart flavor.
Tips for Reheating Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
Follow these useful guidelines when using a crock pot to reheat pulled pork:
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Use freshly cooked or thawed pulled pork. Don’t reheat frozen pork in the crock pot.
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Add a splash of broth, leftover pan drippings, barbecue sauce or other flavorful liquid.
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Cook on low setting for best results. High can boil liquids and dry out pork.
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Allow 2-4 hours for thorough, even heating. Larger batches need more time.
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Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
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Fluff pork with forks once heated to redistribute moisture and coat with sauce.
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Keep lid on during reheating. Don’t remove it frequently or moisture will escape.
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Serve immediately once heated through for optimum texture and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for flawlessly reheated pulled pork from your crock pot:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 cups leftover pulled pork
- 1⁄4 cup barbecue sauce, broth, pan drippings or other liquid
Directions:
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Place pulled pork in crock pot and add liquid over top.
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Cover and cook on low setting for 2-4 hours.
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Use meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Remove lid and fluff pork with forks to redistribute moisture.
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If needed, add more liquid or sauce to moisten and coat pork.
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Serve immediately for best results.
It’s that easy! The crock pot does all the work while you go about your day.
Choosing the Best Liquids
The liquid added to the pulled pork serves two purposes:
- Provides moisture to prevent drying out
- Infuses additional flavor
Consider using:
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Broth or stock – Chicken or beef broth work well.
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Barbecue sauce – Match sauce originally used or try a new flavor.
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Fruit juice – Apple or pineapple juice impart sweetness.
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Leftover pan drippings – Uses cooked-on flavors from original cooking.
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Beer or soda – Ale, cola or Dr Pepper lend complexity.
Handy Add-Ins and Mix-Ins
customize your reheated pulled pork by mixing in or topping with:
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Extra barbecue sauce or hot sauce
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Diced onions
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Chopped fresh cilantro
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Shredded cheese like cheddar or pepper jack
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Salsa or pico de gallo
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Diced pickled jalapeños
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Crumbled bacon pieces
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Sliced green onions
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Guacamole or avocado slices
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Lime or lemon juice
Serving Ideas for Crock Pot Carnitas
Once heated through, here are delicious ways to serve your crock pot carnitas:
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Pulled pork sandwiches – Pile on brioche buns with coleslaw.
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Tacos – Stuff in warm corn tortillas with avocado and Cotija cheese.
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Nachos – Top tortilla chips with melted cheese and carnitas.
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Baked potatoes – Load jacket potatoes with carnitas and fixings.
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Omelets or breakfast burritos – Add carnitas to eggs for a protein punch.
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Pizza – Use as topping instead of pepperoni or sausage.
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Burgers – Substitute carnitas for beef patties for a twist.
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Salad or bowl – Place on lettuce greens with veggies and dressing.
Storing Leftover Reheated Pulled Pork
To save any leftover pulled pork after reheating in the crock pot:
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Let cool to room temperature.
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Place in airtight container and refrigerate.
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Use within 3-4 days for best quality.
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Can be frozen up to 2-3 months. Thaw in fridge before using.
Proper storage keeps your crock pot carnitas tasting great.
Common Questions About Reheating Pulled Pork in a Crock Pot
How much liquid do I need?
Use about 1⁄4 cup of liquid per pound of pork. Enough to moisten and coat pork.
Does the pork need to be covered in liquid?
No, the pork just needs to have liquid tossed with it or sprinkled over the top before heating.
What setting should I use?
Low is best to allow thorough, even heating without overcooking.
How long does it take?
Plan on 2-4 hours for complete heating. Larger batches need more time.
Can I crisp it up after?
Yes! Broil or pan fry just before serving to add crispy, caramelized bits.
Get Maximum Flavor from Leftovers
Reheating leftover pulled pork in the crock pot ensures it stays moist and juicy. With the luscious shredded meat bathed in flavorful liquid, you can look forward to tasty pulled pork dishes all week long.
Give your crock pot a try for warming up leftovers back to deliciousness. Your tastebuds will thank you.
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.