Does Pulled Pork Freeze Well?
Yes, pulled pork freezes well. Do not put the meat in the freezer if you want to freeze it.
Wrap it first in foil, then place it inside a resealable plastic bag. And finally, place it inside another resealable plastic bag.
Make sure the bags are sealed tightly. Once frozen, remove the meat from the bags, and store it in an airtight container, such as Tupperware.
If you want to serve pulled pork at room temperature, you should freeze it before serving. Freezing preserves the meat’s flavor, moisture, original texture, color, and aroma.
You might be tempted to put your leftover pork into a glass container or wrap it in aluminum foil. That won’t work because the food will dry out and become tasteless. The only way to ensure freshness is to freeze it.
How Long Is Pulled Pork Good For?
Pulled pork is best when served cold and should be eaten within one week after cooking. If you keep it too long, it will start to dry out and become rigid.
It may lose some of its delicious flavors if it gets too hot. But, if you cook it at too high temperatures, it might burn.
It is why it is essential to read product labels. Since leftover pork should be refrigerated and stored in an air-tight container for up to 4 days.
Ways To Freeze Pulled Pork?
Method 1:
Freezing pulled pork is easy to do.
- Put the meat into part sizes Ziploc bags, then place them into your resealable freezer.
- Once the meat has frozen, remove the bag from the freezer and thaw the meat for about 1 hour at room temperature.
- Once the meat has been defrosted, use a fork to pull apart the chunks of meat part.
Method 2:
- Place the clump of pork shoulder in your freezer. It’s essential to let the pork shoulder sit in the freezer for at least 24 hours. The longer it sits, the better.
- Use a heavy-duty plastic bag to wrap the pork shoulder. Don’t use paper. The paper will dry out the smoky pork shreds.
- A heavy-duty plastic bag is ideal because it won’t affect the tender texture or flavor of the meat.
Method 3:
- One way to freeze pulled pork is to place the meat into a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil.
- Then put the whole thing into the freezer for about 4 hours.
- Remove from the freezer and thaw overnight in the fridge.
- The next day, remove the foil and cook until done.
Types of Pulled Pork
There are various types of pulled pork, such as:
1. Barbecued pork
2. Smoked pork belly
3. Roasted pork loin.
Barbecued pork has a sweet flavor, whereas smoked pork belly tastes like bacon. Roasted pork loin is usually served at barbecue restaurants.
- The best way to cook pulled pork is to place the meat into a slow cooker with some onions and seasonings.
- Cook for 8 hours at 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Serve with coleslaw, mustard, onion rings, and potato salad.
How To Thaw Frozen Pulled Pork
The best way to thaw frozen pulled pork is to place the meat into a bowl filled with cold water for about 20 minutes. Doing this helps to loosen up all the frozen juices, allowing them to drain away from the meat.
Once the meat has been drained, you can use it immediately or freeze it again. If you want to keep the meat longer, you should wrap it in plastic wrap and put it back into the freezer.
If you know you need to cook the pork within 24 hours, then wrap it in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe
What makes pulled pork so delicious is the combination of slow-cooked meat. And a tangy sauce that’s a bit spicy and a little sour.
The flavor results from a combination of seasonings like salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Which are added to the meat, then cooked at a low temperature.
Process:
Step 1: Cook the pulled pork. Once the pork is tender, add the seasoning. There are many recipes for making pulled pork, but most call for a simple salt, pepper, and garlic rub.
Step 2: Add the liquid. After adding the spices to the meat portion, you will have to wait a while to cook it.
Depending on the size of your pork roast, you may need to cover it with foil to prevent drying out. This step is usually done in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.
Step 3: Cool the pulled pork. Cooling pulled pork takes longer than cooking because the portion of meat needs to be cooled down for a few hours.
If you’re cooking the pulled pork on a grill, it may not need to cool at all. It would help if you took it off the grill when it’s not quite as hot as you’d like.
5 Secrets to Freezer Cooking Success!
1. Cook your meal in the microwave.
You can cook almost any food in the freezer if you have a microwave. It’s best to use a glass casserole dish, but plastic containers might crack.
Microwave food for two to three minutes per serving. If you’re new to microwave cooking, start with a small amount of food to ensure you have the right power settings.
2. Freeze
You can freeze almost anything—even meat and fish—in the freezer. Food freezes best when packed in freezer bags. If you don’t want to, you can put food in an airtight container.
3. Thaw
When you’re ready to eat, thaw frozen foods in the refrigerator. Some foods, like meat, will be completely defrosted by the time frame they reach room temperature. Others, like soup, will need to be thawed first.
4. Refrigerate
If you’ve got a freezer full of meals, you may not want to cook again so soon. In this case, refrigerate them in individual containers.
5. Reheat
If you plan to reheat a frozen meal for a later meal, keep it in its original container and cook it in the microwave. A microwave is the most convenient way to heat foods,
Final Thoughts
To sum up, if you are looking for a quick and easy recipe, pulled pork is a good choice. The meat is delicious and can be used in tacos, sandwiches, burritos, or served with a side of rice and vegetables.
I recommend bringing and slow cooking the pork, then freezing it. It will allow you to thaw the meat and make shredded pork sandwiches whenever you need them.