Are you a fan of pulled pork but struggle with reheating it without drying it out? Look no further than your trusty crock pot or slow cooker.
While it may take a bit longer than other methods, reheating pulled pork in a crock pot is undoubtedly worth the wait for the moist and flavorful results. But how long should you leave it in there?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some expert tips and tricks to ensure your pulled pork is heated to perfection. So grab your favorite BBQ sauce and let’s get cooking!
How Long To Reheat Pulled Pork In Crock Pot?
The amount of time it takes to reheat pulled pork in a crock pot or slow cooker can vary depending on the amount of meat and the temperature setting. Generally speaking, you will want to allow two to four hours for the meat to heat all the way through.
According to Claudia Sidoti, a chef at HelloFresh, the slow and steady approach is the best way to ensure your pulled pork is thoroughly heated and tasty. She recommends setting your crock pot or slow cooker to warm and leaving it alone for a couple of hours or until your meat thermometer shows you’ve reached the safety zone of 165°F.
To reheat pulled pork in a crock pot, place the meat in the cooker and pour leftover sauce or another flavorful liquid on top. Set the temperature to low and cook for two to four hours, checking the temperature periodically until it reaches 165°F.
If you’re reheating frozen pulled pork, place it in the crock pot with a couple of pats of unsalted butter on top and allow it to reheat for 60-90 minutes on the lowest heat setting.
Why Reheat Pulled Pork In A Crock Pot?
Reheating pulled pork in a crock pot or slow cooker is a great way to ensure that the meat retains its moisture and flavor. This method takes a little bit of planning, but it is otherwise totally hands-off. The low and slow approach is the nature of this beast, and thankfully, the crock pot or slow cooker does all the hard work for you.
Using a crock pot or slow cooker to reheat pulled pork is our preferred method because it allows you to set it and forget it. You can walk away for a while without worrying about the meat drying out or overcooking. The gentle medium heat setting ensures that the meat is heated evenly and thoroughly, without losing any of its moisture or flavor.
Another advantage of reheating pulled pork in a crock pot or slow cooker is that you can add some moisture to the meat by pouring leftover sauce or another flavorful liquid on top. This helps to reinforce the flavor and keep the meat moist.
Choosing The Right Crock Pot
When choosing a crock pot or slow cooker to reheat your pulled pork, it’s important to consider the size of the machine and the amount of meat you need to reheat. A larger crock pot may be necessary for larger amounts of meat, while a smaller one may be sufficient for smaller portions.
It’s also important to consider the temperature settings of the crock pot. Make sure your crock pot has a “warm” setting, which is ideal for reheating pulled pork. If your crock pot only has a low and high setting, use the low setting to avoid overcooking the meat.
Additionally, consider the shape of the crock pot. Oval-shaped crock pots are better suited for larger cuts of meat, while round-shaped ones are better for smaller portions.
Finally, look for a crock pot with a removable insert for easy cleaning and storage. A programmable crock pot with a timer and automatic shut-off feature can also be convenient for busy schedules.
By choosing the right crock pot and following the recommended reheating time and temperature settings, you can enjoy delicious and flavorful pulled pork leftovers without any hassle.
Preparing The Pulled Pork For Reheating
Before reheating pulled pork in a crock pot or slow cooker, it’s important to properly prepare the meat. If you have leftover pulled pork, make sure it is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready to reheat it.
If the pulled pork is frozen, defrost it for 24 hours in the refrigerator before reheating. Once defrosted, remove the meat from the container and spread it into the bottom of the crock pot or slow cooker.
Next, add a splash of leftover barbecue sauce, broth, apple juice, or another flavorful liquid to the crock pot. The liquid will help keep the meat moist as it reheats. Be careful not to add too much liquid, as crock pots and slow cookers do an excellent job of retaining moisture.
Set your crock pot to low heat or “keep warm” setting and allow the pulled pork to heat for a minimum of two hours and up to four hours. Check the temperature periodically using a meat thermometer until it reaches 165°F to ensure that it’s safe to eat.
Once the pulled pork has reached the desired temperature, mix in a little additional barbecue sauce if desired, and then serve and enjoy your delicious reheated pulled pork.
Checking The Temperature Of The Pulled Pork
Checking the temperature of the pulled pork is crucial to ensure it is safe to eat and has been thoroughly reheated. The internal temperature of the meat should reach 165°F before serving. To check the temperature, use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat.
If the temperature hasn’t reached 165°F, put the pulled pork back in the crock pot and continue cooking for another 30-45 minutes before checking again. It’s important not to rush the reheating process as slow and steady heating will ensure the pork is evenly heated throughout.
Once the pulled pork has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the crock pot using a slotted spoon and place it on a serving plate. Serve and enjoy your delicious reheated pulled pork!
Tips For Keeping The Pulled Pork Moist And Flavorful
Keeping the pulled pork moist and flavorful is crucial to ensuring that it tastes just as good as it did when it was first cooked. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:
1. Store the pulled pork in a crockpot or slow cooker: If you plan to serve the pulled pork within a few hours after smoking, it’s best to store it in a crockpot set at the lowest possible temperature. This will help keep the meat warm and moist until it’s ready to be served.
2. Use liquid to replace lost moisture: If your pulled pork is dry, adding a bit of liquid can help replace some of the moisture that was lost during the cooking process. You can use chicken broth, apple juice, or a thick barbeque sauce to add flavor and moisture to the meat.
3. Spray with liquid periodically: To keep the pulled pork moist while it’s being stored or reheated, you can periodically spray it with white wine, apple juice, or chicken broth. This will help infuse the meat with moisture and prevent it from drying out.
4. Keep the temperature low and consistent: To avoid overcooking the pulled pork, keep the temperature low and consistent. You can use a crockpot or slow cooker set to a lower heat setting to keep the meat warm without drying it out.
5. Reheat slowly: When reheating pulled pork, take your time and reheat it slowly. This will help ensure that the meat stays moist and doesn’t dry out. You can use an oven, crockpot, sous-vide, grill, or microwave to reheat your pulled pork.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your pulled pork stays moist and flavorful even after being reheated in a crock pot or slow cooker.
