In the world, there are a number of foods that you don’t mind eating over and over again. Foods so good that you’re excited when there are leftovers and that you just swear taste better when reheated.
Pulled pork is one of them.
There’s no point in describing this delicious slow cooked pork recipe which we all know and love. Instead, we’re here to answer important questions:
How long is pulled pork good for? Can you freeze pulled pork?
But before we get to that, let’s talk a little about why storing or even freezing pulled pork is such a good idea.
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Why To Store Pulled Pork Leftovers?
As we mentioned before, pulled pork leftovers are delicious, no matter how you eat them. Alone? Fantastic. On a sandwich? Even better. Pulled pork with mac and cheese? A combination unlike any other!
The possibilities are endless and, because of that, it’s tempting to cook a large batch of pulled pork and put it in the fridge in order to be able to eat it over and over again.
Yep, cooking pulled pork in bulk is a smart choice and even an affordable one but to get the most out of it, you need to learn how to store pulled pork.
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How to Store Pulled Pork Leftovers? Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?
This depends entirely on the speed with which you plan on eating your leftovers.
- If you plan on eating them within a couple of days, the best thing you can do is store them in Ziploc bags, aluminum foil or even in plastic containers. The goal is to keep as much air out of the container as possible and to keep your leftovers in the coldest area of your fridge so no doors!
- If you want your leftovers to last for longer, the first thing you need to do is divide your leftovers into servings, then placing each serving into a Ziploc bag. If you want your leftovers to last even longer, tightly wrap them in aluminum foil before placing them in the Ziploc bags. This will preserve the taste for longer.
When freezing, the goal of splitting your leftovers in serving sizes is to prevent thawing and freezing the meat again, which is not only bad for the taste but also dangerous for your health.
Now that you know how to store your pulled pork, let’s tackle our main question.
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How Long Is Pulled Pork Good For?
Stored in The Fridge
According to food safety protocols, cooked meat can be refrigerated and safely eaten in 3-4 days, though this might vary depending on your fridge.
No matter how long it has been on the fridge, keep an eye out for change of smell, discoloration or any other sign that your pulled pork might’ve gone bad.
Stored in The Freezer
According to food safety protocols, cooked meat can be frozen indefinitely as long as it’s kept at 0 degrees.
However, just because something is edible it doesn’t mean that it’s good, and the longer your frozen pulled pork stays in the freezer the less taste it’ll have when it’s time to eat it.
Make sure to eat your pulled pork within 3 months if you want to truly enjoy the delicious flavor we all know and love.
Pork Expiration Date
| (Uncooked) | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Past Printed Date | Past Printed Date | |
| Fresh Pork Chops last for | 1-2 Days | 6-8 Months |
| Fresh Ground Pork lasts for | 1-2 Days | 6-8 Months |
| Fresh Pork Shoulder lasts for | 1-2 Days | 6-8 Months |
| Fresh Pork Loin lasts for | 1-2 Days | 6-8 Months |
| Pork Sausage lasts for | 3-4 Days | 6-8 Months |
| (Cooked) | Refrigerator | Freezer |
| Cooked Pork Shoulder/Loin/Chops/Sausage last for | 7 Days | 6-8 Months |
So there you have it. That’s how long pulled pork will last.
However, if you want your pulled pork to last for even longer, follow these tips:
Tips To Store Pulled Pork
- When freezing and refrigerating, make sure to split and store your leftovers within two hours after it has cooked. This will prevent bacteria from forming, which can minimize the risks of food poisoning.
- If possible, purchase foods that were created with freezing in mind. They’re thicker and can prevent freezer burn better than regular storage bags.
- If you only have regular storage bags or plastic containers, make sure to wrap your leftovers in aluminum foil or freezer paper before placing it in the bag or container. This will help your food keep for longer.
- Regardless of what you use, remember to always write the following three dates on them:
- Date cooked
- Date frozen
- Best by
This will help you keep track of when it’s safe to eat leftovers and when it’s better to dispose of them. - If possible, use a vacuum food sealer in order to suck out as much air as possible. This will not only extend the time your pulled pork can stay in the freezer without changing its quality but will also save you space.
- When thawing, pull out only the servings you plan on eating and leave them in the fridge overnight. If it hasn’t thawed perfectly by the time it’s time to cook it, let cold water run on the sealed package for a little while.
Related Video: Smoky Pulled Pork with Chipotle Mayonnaise
Do you have other ways to keep pull pork last longer? Share with us in the comment!
Thank you for reading!
View Comments (1)
When canning pulled pork ,won't another 75minutes make the meat overcooked?