Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (2024)

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Mary

Jan 28, 2020, Updated Aug 16, 2022

So you cooked yourself a pork butt and now find yourself with loads of leftovers. Now what?! Whether you smoked a pork butt for amazing pulled pork sandwiches, or cooked it in the Instapot we’ve got several uses for that leftover pulled pork in this round up of recipes with leftover pulled pork.

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (2)

Smoked Pork Butt is a staple around here. We love the tender and flavorful meat. But let’s be honest, it yields tons of meat! While that’s a good thing, it also means coming up with new ways to use the leftovers so you’re not eating sliders for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).

Want to get your hands on some amazing pork shoulder to make some of there? Head over to Snake River Farms and grab one of their Kurobuta Pork Shoulders. Amazing flavor.

Table of Contents

  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Leftover Pulled Pork Ideas
  • More Leftover Pulled Pork Ideas

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can You Keep Pulled Pork In the Fridge?

According to the US Department of Agriculture’s food safety guidelines, 3-4 days is a safe bet to store meat like pulled pork in the refrigerator. Make sure to keep your meat in a food-safe container and your refrigerator at a proper temperature (40 degrees F or below).

Can you Freeze leftover Pulled Pork?

Absolutely. That’s what we usually do. The meat should stay good in the freezer for several months. Make sure to label and date your meat in a freezer-safe container. And don’t forget to freeze it with some of those juices.

How to Re-Heat Pulled Pork

If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator first. Or run under a steady stream of cold water until thawed. About one hour.

In an oven preheated to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, warm up the meat in a large dish covered to slowly come back to temperature. We add about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar into the dish to steam.

Or place in a large skillet. If the meat has dried out during the freezing process, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or BBQ sauce to the meat to add some moisture back while it heats up in the skillet.

Leftover Pulled Pork Ideas

Below are a few favorite ways to use up that leftover meat. From snacks, to appetizers, to breakfast, to dinner, we’ve got you covered in this round up of our favorite leftover pulled pork recipes.

Pulled Pork Tacos

Everyone loves a good taco night, and this is the easiest, and one of the most satisfying, uses for leftover pulled pork.

Pulled Pork Nachos

I don’t even need to explain why these are one of the ultimate uses for leftover pulled pork! One word explains everything — Nachos.

Hawaiian Style Pulled Pork Sliders with Grilled Pineapple

These Hawaiian-inspired pulled pork sliders have many amazing flavors happening here! This is a great one for a crowd, and it will make you believe you’re sitting on a beach sipping on a Mai Tai.

Smoked Pulled Pork Hash

Aka, best brunch idea ever.

Pulled Pork Enchiladas

Turn leftover pulled pork into a plate full of incredible enchiladas. Perfect for Cinco de Mayo, or an easy weeknight dinner. This is a family favorite!

Pulled Pork Wontons

The perfect little crispy bite of pulled pork deliciousness. A great appetizer for your family.

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (8)

Pulled Pork Spring Rolls

Light, fresh, and full of great flavor. These are also a fun one for the kids to help assemble.

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (9)

Smoked Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Tired of traditional BBQ sauce? Try this sweet and savory Asian dipping sauce to jazz up your next batch of leftover smoked pulled pork! Keep things light by skipping the bread or tortilla, and make lettuce wraps instead.

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (10)

Smoked Cuban Sandwich

This, my friends, is one heck of a delicious sandwich for pork lovers!

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (11)

More Leftover Pulled Pork Ideas

Use the pulled pork to sub for some of the meat in the following recipes.

  • BBQ Baked Beans: add a handful of pulled pork to these amazing Baked Beans.
  • Mac and Cheese: sub pulled pork for the Tri Tip in this recipe.
  • Chili with Pulled Pork: use pulled pork instead of brisket in this award-winning chili recipe.
  • Pulled Pork Empanadas: similarly, sub the pulled pork for brisket in these incredible empanadas.

Smoked Pulled Pork Sloppy Joes

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (12)

Now we don’t have an official recipe for this (yet), but I’m happy to share what we do. We basically cooked up a bit of chopped onion and red bell pepper until soft, then added a 15 ounce can of tomato sauce and about a tablespoon of tomato paste. Then we added about one tablespoon of chili powder and salt and pepper to taste.

We adjusted the flavors, then added the leftover meat (two cups, give or take) and cooked until everything was combined. Then we loaded up the mixture onto a bun, topped with some cheese and put under the broiler to melt the cheese. Holy amazing use for leftover pulled pork! So good.

Categorized as:

Appetizers, , Dinner, Food, Pork, Recipes,

Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (13)

Vindulge

About Mary

I'm Mary, a wine/food/travel writer, Certified Sommelier, mom of twins, former vegetarian turned BBQ fanatic, runner, founder of Vindulge, and author of Fire + Wine cookbook. Thanks for stopping by!

About Me

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Amazing Recipes for Pulled Pork Leftovers (2024)

FAQs

How to make leftover pulled pork juicy? ›

Using completely thawed pulled pork, you'll want to wrap your leftovers in a couple of layers of aluminum foil and cover your pork in BBQ sauce for extra flavor and moisture retention. You can also heat it in a covered, grill-safe pan. You'll heat your pulled pork on the indirect heat side of your grill to start.

How long is leftover pulled pork good for? ›

USDA recommends using cooked pork within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40 °F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

What can I do with tough leftover pork? ›

Are there any other good ideas for what I should do with about 3 pounds of dry, overcooked pork? Editor: Allison, overall, my suggestion would be to dice or shred it extra-fine and use it in places where its texture will be less of a problem: Breakfast burritos, cheesy pasta casserole, omelets, and soups.

What to do with left over barbecue? ›

How to Use Leftover BBQ – 6 Ideas for Your Next Meal
  1. BBQ Pizza. Whether it's frozen, leftover, or homemade, adding your leftover BBQ will transform an average pizza to a flavorful meal! ...
  2. BBQ Loaded Baked Potato. Loaded baked potatoes are an easy and tasty meal! ...
  3. BBQ Nachos. ...
  4. BBQ Grilled Cheese. ...
  5. BBQ Mac and Cheese. ...
  6. BBQ Chili.

What to eat with pulled pork besides sandwiches? ›

Mustard Greens, baked beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, corn, fried okra, pinto beans, corn bread, muffins, diced fresh fruit, macaroni salad, other salad, Texas buttered toast, Brunswick stew, sliced tomatoes, pickled beets, potato cakes, french fries, baked potato, yam, black eye peas, lima beans, succotash, yellow ...

What is the best liquid to keep pulled pork moist? ›

Additionally, spray chicken broth or apple juice on the meat to prevent it from losing more moisture in the crockpot. To add a strong flavor during the process, white wine can also be sprayed.

How to add flavor to cooked pulled pork? ›

We use brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, a good amount of salt & pepper, and a pinch of cayenne! Make sure you use all of the seasoning! Also, really rub it into the pulled pork, get all of the nooks and crannies!

How do you add flavor to pulled pork after cooking? ›

This thin, vinegar-based finishing sauce, which differs from a BBQ sauce, is the secret ingredient to kick up my smoked pulled pork. After you've pulled your pork butt, drizzle over the meat and combine. The vinegar adds contrast to the smoky flavor and cuts through the fat in the meat.

Can I eat pulled pork after 6 days? ›

Pulled pork can be consumed and eaten safely for up to 4 days when stored in the fridge, according to the USDA.

Is pulled pork bad if left out overnight? ›

It's also important to note that pulled pork or carnitas may look, smell, and taste just fine if left out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. But per the USDA, pathogenic bacteria, which grow in the danger zone and cause food-related infections, don't affect the aesthetics of the food in question.

Can I eat pork 7 days after the sell-by date? ›

Sell by – This creates an easy date for the retailer to know when the product has to be removed from their shelf and disposed of instead of being sold. In general, consumers have one to three days to use that meat product if it is fresh before there would be concern from a safety standpoint.

How do you reheat pork without making it tough? ›

Reheat pork in a covered dish in the oven, microwave, or pan/skillet. Oven: Preheat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add some water or broth to an oven-safe pan. Place the leftover pork in the pan and then cover with aluminium foil and reheat for 15 to 20 minutes (this is dependent on the size).

Why won't my pulled pork pull apart? ›

The congealing and hardening of fat and connective tissue will make pulling more difficult as the temperature drops. Pulling while the meat is still hot allows you to serve it with the least amount of fat that drains away and the meat that has been neatly separated from fat, tissue, and skin.

Can dogs eat pork? ›

Your dog can eat pork as long as there is no seasoning, sauces, condiments, onions or other ingredients that can be potentially toxic. Pork has a high fat content, which is why it's better suited for treat time every once in a while than added to your dog's diet as a staple.

How long does pulled pork last in the fridge? ›

Pulled pork can be consumed and eaten safely for up to 4 days when stored in the fridge, according to the USDA. However, this time frame may vary depending on how it was stored and whether it was cooked properly.

What do Americans eat with pulled pork? ›

20 Sides for Pulled Pork Sandwiches That Go Way Beyond Coleslaw
  • 01 of 21. Homemade Crispy Seasoned French Fries. ...
  • 02 of 21. Easy Coleslaw Dressing. ...
  • 03 of 21. Baked Beans. ...
  • 04 of 21. Basic Corn Muffins. ...
  • 05 of 21. Old-Fashioned Potato Salad. ...
  • 06 of 21. Simple Macaroni and Cheese. ...
  • 07 of 21. Awesome Pasta Salad. ...
  • 08 of 21.
Feb 2, 2024

Can I freeze pulled pork? ›

If you find yourself with leftover pulled pork, you might want to know the best ways to preserve it. Read on for all the information you'll need about how to freeze pulled pork. The good news is that this food freezes very well so you can enjoy it at a later date.

What is the best way to eat pulled pork? ›

How to serve it:
  1. Pulled pork sandwiches.
  2. Nachos.
  3. In tamales, tacos, burritos, or quesadillas.
  4. Stirred into baked beans.
  5. Served with a green salad, fruit, baked beans, potato salad, chips, veggies and dip.
Feb 15, 2024

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