Updated on January 3rd, 2024
If you’re wondering what to do with leftover BBQ pork, you’ve come to the right place! If you’ve had a barbecue with a bunch of leftover pork, here are some delicious recipes to make the most of that tasty leftover meat. Try these dishes: Taco soup, Grilled cheese sandwiches, Gyros, Pizza, and more! You can always add more barbecue sauce or your favorite toppings for a unique twist.
What Exactly is Pulled Pork?
Pork that has been cooked till soft and then shredded is known as pulled pork. Barbeque sauce is frequently combined with the meat before being served in a sandwich or on its own. It’s deliciously soft and flavorful when cooked properly!
While barbeque is the most common application, pulled pork is a highly adaptable foodstuff that may be utilized with various taste profiles. You can use it to make carnitas in tacos, top burgers with it, make a Cubano sandwich, eat it over a salad, and so much more.
Pig shoulder or pork butt, often known as a Boston butt, are the most popular portions of meat utilized. There is a tiny difference between the two, even though they are often used interchangeably.
Both originate from the animal’s front end (the “butt” has nothing to do with the animal’s actual back end). Pork butt runs from the pig’s shoulder blades to the spine, whereas pork shoulder wraps around the pig’s bottom. The fat content of pork butt is slightly higher.
Different Dishes with Leftover BBQ Pork
Pulled Pork Macaroni and Cheese
When you combine macaroni and cheese with pulled pork, you get a whole new comfort food level. Serve this quick pulled pork macaroni and cheese casserole with homemade coleslaw and biscuits or soft rolls for a weekday stress reliever or a nice Sunday meal.
Egg Rolls with Pulled Pork
Pulled pork egg rolls, a fusion dish for the home kitchen, can be baked or deep-fried and employ bought or homemade egg roll wrappers. Serve them as a quick snack or appetizer, or serve them with hot rice or Asian-style noodles for a tasty takeaway meal.
Tamales with Pulled Pork
Tamales are typically linked with Latin American cuisine, but they are also a Mississippi Delta specialty. These tamales, which are easier to make than you might think, combine pulled pork shoulder with cornmeal masa. Pulled pork tamales can be frozen and reheated when you’re ready to eat.
Empanadas with Pulled Pork Barbecue
The flaky, flavorful crust transforms these pulled pork barbecue empanadas into easy-to-serve handheld pies. Make them bite-sized or lunch-sized, and serve with homemade coleslaw and barbecue sauce for dipping.
Arepas with Pulled Pork
In this dish, slow-cooked pulled pork fills Venezuelan-style arepas, a griddle-fried corn cake. These South American sandwiches pair well with a wonderful cilantro garlic aioli made with lemon or lime.
Cemita: A Mexican Pulled Pork Sandwich in the Pueblan Style
Pulled pork is layered with peppers, avocado, sliced tomato, and cheese in this Pueblan-style Mexican pulled pork sandwich. Rich Mexican cemita buns are called for in the recipe, but brioche buns or other slightly sweet pieces of bread can be substituted.
Sliders with Pulled Pork
This party favorite may be scaled down for a smaller supper at home. Use ordinary slider buns for these pulled pork sandwiches or prepare small buns. Serve with barbeque sauce on the side and a simple coleslaw or pickle slices on top.
Sliders of BBQ Pork
BBQ pork sliders are a super-easy pulled pork ideas you can make with only a few simple ingredients if you’re planning a small get-together or just want to whip up a quick lunch.
Although this recipe calls for you to make your pulled pork in a slow cooker because you’ve already done so, you can use what you’ve got or reheat it with a little additional BBQ sauce, butter, and any remaining pulled pig juices.
These sliders are covered with red cabbage coleslaw and served on soft slider bread that can be served toasted or untoasted (I recommend toasted).
Serve with baked beans or potato salad.
How to Keep Pulled Pork that has been Left Over?
If stored properly, pulled pork can last up to three months.
Allow cooling completely before placing it in an airtight storage bag or container. Refrigerate for up to 5 days before serving.
Freeze: These leftovers are fantastically frozen! Place in a freezer-safe bag or container. You can store everything together or in separate sections. If you’re using a bag, make sure to get rid of as much air as possible. Label and store in the freezer for up to three months.
Before reheating, let the frozen food defrost in the refrigerator. Place in a microwave-safe container and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed. You can also heat it in the oven by covering it in foil and placing it in a dish that is oven safe. Preheat oven to 250°F and bake until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What to Serve with BBQ Pork?
Cornbread
Cornbread is a traditional accompaniment to pulled pork, and you can’t go wrong with these two timeless masterpieces.
Best of all, it’s not too difficult to create, and you can have a lot of fun trying out different flavors!
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is a popular option these days, as it combines the flavors of sharp cheddar and spicy jalapeno with the typical corn deliciousness. The salty and sweet combination is a fantastic complement to pulled pork!
Fritters made with sweet corn.
Fritters are a crunchier option for a positive side that even small children will love. You can’t go wrong with sweet corn deep-fried into golden, crispy balls of deliciousness!
You can also go the North Carolina route and serve your pulled pork alongside some Buttermilk Hush Puppies to add a sweet and crunchy touch to your dinner.
Biscuits with Honey and Butter
If you can’t decide between the two sides, go with the honey butter biscuits, and all your problems will vanish. These are simple to make, quick to prepare, and a hit with kids and adults.
Just make sure you don’t leave them out before mealtime, especially if children are present. Before you can say, “Dinner’s ready!” they’ll vanish.
I also advise against eating quick biscuits from a can. Believe me when I say that you can easily improve the flavor of your biscuits.
The nicest part about a bread side dish is that you can use it as a sponge to clean the plate and absorb any remaining sauce. Yum!
What is the Best Way to Freeze Pulled Pork?
Freezing leftover pulled pork is a fantastic method to keep it fresh. When freezing pulled pork, it’s important to save as much moisture as possible. Because the beef isn’t allowed to dry out, it will have its melt-in-your-mouth feel even after freezing and reheating!
If you know you’ll be freezing a large chunk of the pork butt, you can always shred what you’ll eat right away but leave the remainder whole. If you decide to shred it, allow it to cool completely first so that the meat retains most of its fluids.
Place the meat in a big resealable freezer bag or an airtight container once it has reached room temperature. You could also split out the meat and store it in smaller bags. If you simply want to thaw a serving or two at a time in the future, the latter option is ideal.
After that, make sure to get rid of as much air as possible. This is the most important step in avoiding freezer burn.
For packing frozen pulled pork, a vacuum sealer works nicely.
If properly wrapped, pulled pork can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. It’s the supper that never fails to please!
What is the Best Way to Reheat Pulled Pork?
Warming up leftover pork can be done in various ways, and it will be a challenge to heat the meat thoroughly without drying it out in each case.
For each method, you’ll need to defrost the pork first, either at room temperature for a few hours or in the refrigerator overnight. A dash of liquid will also help keep the meat soft, which might be the pork’s conserved cooking liquids, apple juice, broth, or plain water.
It’s also crucial that the meat achieves a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.
Using the Slow Cooker
The low-and-slow method in the Crock-Pot is nearly foolproof. Simply place the pork in the slow cooker and sprinkle it with barbecue sauce or a splash of water.
Set the temperature to warm and leave it to sit for 2-3 hours. You may also cook it on low for 1-2 hours if you’re in a rush. Just keep an eye on the meat and stir it every now and again. It’s ready to serve when the interior temperature reaches 165°F.
Oven
This approach is also a good choice, and it just takes 30-45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 225°F and place the pork in a roasting pan with your preferred liquid. Cover with foil and cook until the meat is thoroughly heated. Barbeque sauce can be added in the last 5 minutes if desired.
Grill
Preheat the grill to a low setting. You’ll put the pork in a disposable aluminum pan with your liquid of choice, just like you would in the oven. Place the pan on the grill rack, cover, and cook for 30-45 minutes, or until the meat is thoroughly heated. You can add BBQ sauce again for the last 5 minutes if desired.
What are the Best Toppings for Pulled Pork Sandwiches?
I enjoy a good pulled pork sandwich, but it’s made even better by the toppings I can’t get enough of, such as these:
Horseradish Sauce: Combine sour cream or Greek yogurt with prepared horseradish to make a spicy taste bite.
Coleslaw: A simple slaw with a vinegar taste gives these scrumptious sandwiches a crisp bite.
BBQ Sauce: I keep half of the sauce that the pork is slow-cooked in and add it to the shredded pork, then puree the remainder to use as a dipping sauce if I’m really feeling it.
Potato chips, fresh sliced or caramelized onions, melted cheese, handmade pickles, and even pickled jalapeos are additional ingredients.
I always go for an extremely soft bun or roll for my favorite pulled pork sandwiches. For a family supper, use regular grocery store hamburger buns; if you’re feeding a larger party crowd, use smaller rolls to stretch the recipe further.
How to Make Leftover Pulled Pork Sandwich?
Ingredients:
1 medium onion
thinly sliced 3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 pounds of leftover pulled pork
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth Coleslaw
6-8 hamburger buns
Directions:
Add onion, garlic, BBQ sauce, and chicken broth to a skillet over medium heat. Cook, occasionally stirring, until the onions are tender.
Toss the leftover pulled pork with the sauce in the pan. Cook until it’s well heated.
The buns were toasted. Then, on one half of the toasted bun, spoon shredded pork.
Drizzle with barbecue sauce, then top with coleslaw and the bun tops. Serve and have fun!
Conclusion
Pulled pork is incredibly simple to produce at home and can be used in various recipes. It’s a great item for meal prep because it can be made ahead of time and frozen. Are you stumped as to what to do with all of the leftovers? This list of delectable Leftover Pulled Pork Recipes will provide plenty of ideas.
