How to Reheat Pulled Pork: Chef’s Trick Guarantees Juicy + Tender Shredded Meat

We'll admit that whenever we make pulled pork, we're sure to cook up a big enough batch to have some leftovers. They're perfect to put on sandwiches, add on top of baked potatoes … there are just so many delicious possibilities. Trouble is, sometimes reheating pulled pork can dry it out. So how to reheat pulled pork so it tastes as good as when it was first made? We turned to a professional chef for his easy oven trick that wakes up the sweet and smoky BBQ flavors you love.

The basics of pulled pork

Pulled pork is a BBQ staple because of its sweet and smoky flavor and tender texture. This is a byproduct of the low and slow cooking method. Similar to many leftover meats, pulled pork lasts 3 to 4 days in the fridge. To ensure properly reheated pulled pork, your best bet is warming it up in the oven.

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How to reheat pulled pork in the oven

It comes as no surprise that the oven is a top pick for reheating pulled pork. In fact, Chef Lazarus Lynch , a two-time winner of the Food Network's Chopped , says this is his favorite method of reheating as it provides a thorough distribution of heat. Plus, you can set a timer and let the meat do its thing. This method is also great for reheating large batches of pulled pork.

To reheat this meat in the oven so it's tender and flavorful again, Lynch says to follow these five steps.

1. Preheat your oven to 250°F.
2. Place the pulled pork into a baking dish with leftover juices and cover with foil. ( Note: If you don’t have leftover pan juices, use barbecue sauce in combination with apple juice, dark soda such as Coke, beer or a low-sodium stock or broth. You want to have enough liquid so there's ½ cup of it for every 1 cup of pulled pork.)
3. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the pulled pork is heated all the way through.
4. Mix the pulled pork again.
5. Use more sauce or liquid for additional moisture and serve.

A delicious pulled pork recipe worth reheating

Now that you have the best method for reheating pulled pork, it’s time to make some. Try our test kitchen's recipe for Pulled Pork Sandwiches as each one is filled with succulent meat and creamy coleslaw. Serve it with French fries , grilled corn on the cob , or microwave sweet potatoes and enjoy!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Smoked paprika and brown sugar barbecue sauce give this low-and-slow cooked pork a zesty-sweet kick.

• 1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
• ½ cup barbecue sauce
• ⅓ cup + 1 Tbs. white vinegar
• 2 Tbs. dark brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1½ tsp. smoked paprika
• 3 lbs. boneless pork butt
• 2 Tbs. oil
• 3 cups coleslaw mix
• 6 sesame seed buns, split

Directions:

• Active: 25 mins
• Total time: 12 hrs
• Yield: 6 servings

1. In bowl, mix paste, sauce, ⅓ cup vinegar, sugar, garlic, paprika and ½ tsp. salt. In the morning, place pork in 4-quart slow cooker. Spoon sauce mixture over. Cover; cook on low until tender, 12 hours.
2. In bowl, whisk oil, remaining vinegar and ⅛ tsp. salt. Stir in coleslaw mix. Transfer pork to plate; using 2 forks, shred meat. Skim fat from sauce in cooker. Mix pork and ½ cup sauce. Fill rolls with slaw and pork.

Keep reading for more tips and tricks to warming up leftovers!

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