Pulled pork leftovers are a quick and easy midweek meal for families. They are delicious, kid-friendly and can be adapted to a whole range of eating plans and styles, including low-carb diets, on-the-go meals and catering for groups, all at an affordable price.
“It’s a great budget meal and I love to cook a big shoulder joint so we have leftovers for a few other meals too,” says @MissieLizzieB.
http://twitter.com/BritMums/statuses/1452975094943387648
Why we love pulled pork leftovers
“Pulled pork is easy to make,” says MissieLizzieB. “And with the options to make different meals from leftovers, it doesn’t feel like you are eating the same thing for a few days.” “We love it because it’s cheap and easy,” says Daisies And Pie UK. And many people agree with @Kiwi7001: “I always find the leftovers nicer than on the day.”
How long do pulled pork leftovers last?
Wondering how long you can keep pulled pork leftovers for? The NHS recommends cooling down leftovers as quickly as possible before putting them in the refrigerator –within 2 hours. Ideally you want to eat chilled cooked pork within 2 days, but you can freeze it to keep it for longer.
How to freeze pulled pork leftovers
Freezing your pulled pork leftovers means you will have them whenever you need a fast and delicious warming family meal, especially great for midweek. We like to wrap our leftovers in 2 or 4 portion-sized packages – in freezer bags or freezer-safe storage containers. That way we defrost and use just what we need without wasting any.
Be sure to freeze pulled pork leftovers within 24 hours of cooking and label with the contents and date to make them easy to find and use. The good news is that you can freeze pulled pork and it will keep from 3 to 6 months or even longer (although the sooner you have it, the better its texture will be).
To defrost, take them out the day before use and defrost in the refrigerator, or defrost in your microwave. Just make sure any frozen food is completely piping hot all the way through before eating.
How to reheat pulled pork leftovers
Pulled pork leftovers are easy to reheat. The main issue is to ensure they come out hot and moist. You can help maintain moistness by using some of the leftover juices. Other options are adding a splash of liquid or a sauce to the mix.
In the oven, set it to 120C / 250F, put the pork in a metal or glass dish with leftover juices and cover. Bake until heated through to 75C / 165F — it’s best to use a meat thermometer to check. To add more moisture, use a bit of barbecue sauce, oil, salsa or anything else you like. Depending on how you plan to eat it, you could also use cream, sour cream, yoghurt or creme fraiche. To reheat pulled pork in the microwave, put it in a microwavable dish and add a splash of apple juice or water to keep it moist. Heat it for 2 minutes or until it reaches and internal temperature of 75C / 165F. To reheat it on the hob, put it in a skillet with extra juices or a bit of oil and stir fry until hot. You can cover it to make it even more juicy and moist.
More easy and delicious family meal ideas
About
BritMums is the UK’s original collective of lifestyle bloggers and digital influencers, fueling the country’s most influential social content. We lead the online conversation with members who are parent social influencers creating content on topics ranging from food, parenting, travel, politics, style and more.