Chances are, if you are cooking up some delicious barbecue pork for dinner, you’ll end up with some leftovers. Pork shoulder and pork butt are popular choices for pulled pork and other BBQ dishes since they result in very moist and flavorful meat. However, this often leads to having more pork than you can eat in one sitting. Fortunately, leftover pulled pork or other BBQ pork dishes can be used in many tasty ways. With a little creativity, you can give your leftover BBQ pork new life and whip up completely different meals.
Store Leftover Pork Properly
Before jumping into what to make with leftover BBQ pork, it’s important to store it properly after your initial meal. This will keep the pork safe to eat and maintain its moisture and flavor.
Here are some tips for storing leftover pulled pork or other cooked BBQ pork:
- Let the pork cool completely before storing it. Don’t transfer hot pork directly into the refrigerator.
- Place the pork in an airtight container. You want to prevent the pork from drying out.
- Refrigerate the pork within 2 hours of cooking. To be safe, don’t leave BBQ pork sitting out at room temperature.
- Use the pork within 3-4 days for best quality. It may last a bit longer, but the texture deteriorates over time.
- You can also freeze pulled pork for longer storage. It will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer before drying out.
- When freezing, divide the pork into smaller portions so you can thaw only what you need.
Proper storage keeps your leftover pork moist and flavorful, so it’s ready whenever inspiration for a new meal strikes.
Repurpose Leftover Pork in Easy Meals
Using up leftover BBQ pork doesn’t require complicated recipes or a lot of effort. There are plenty of simple ways to give those remains new life in quick and easy meals.
BBQ Pork Salad
Transforming leftover pulled pork into a main dish salad is one of the simplest options. Just toss the pork with greens, vegetables, cheese, nuts, etc. The possibilities are endless! Try these combinations:
- Pork, mixed greens, tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese, and ranch dressing
- Pork, spinach, shredded carrots, avocado, and balsamic vinaigrette
- Pork, romaine, corn, black beans, tortilla strips, queso fresco, and chipotle ranch dressing
Salads are a refreshingly different way to savor leftover BBQ pork. The meat also makes the salad much more filling.
BBQ Pork Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and easy weeknight meal. Just lightly pan fry flour tortillas and fill them with shredded cheese, leftover pulled pork, and other taco-inspired fixings like salsa, guacamole, peppers, onion, etc. The pork and cheese together make a tasty, satisfying quesadilla perfect for using up leftovers.
BBQ Pork Omelet
For a fast breakfast or brunch, make omelets stuffed with your leftover BBQ pork. Simply beat some eggs, pour them into a hot skillet, and fill with shredded pork and any other omelet fillings you enjoy. Omelets cook up fast, so this is a great way to quickly transform those leftovers into a hot, fresh meal.
BBQ Pork Wraps
Leftover pulled pork or other chopped/shredded BBQ pork makes excellent sandwich wrap fillings. Just pile it onto tortillas, flatbread, lettuce leaves or whatever you like to wrap with. Then add your favorite toppings and condiments like cheese, salsa, veggies, sauce, etc. Wraps make a handy meal for eating on-the-go.
BBQ Pork Potatoes
Bake potatoes in the oven or microwave them, then top with BBQ shredded pork, cheese, bacon bits, scallions, sour cream, or any toppings you crave. The potatoes don’t have to be plain either – you can stuff them with the pork too. Twice baked potatoes are also an option. Quick and delicious!
Leftover BBQ pork elevates simple ingredients like greens, tortillas, eggs and potatoes into easy, satisfying meals. Get creative with recipes!
Elevate Leftovers into Elaborate Dishes
If you have time to cook a more involved meal, leftover BBQ pork can also star in elaborate dishes. A little extra effort transforms the remains into impressive creations.
Pork Fried Rice
Fried rice is a great way to use small bits of leftover meat. Toss cubed or shredded pork with rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, veggies like peas and carrots, eggs, etc. The pork infuses tons of flavor into the rice. Make it on the stovetop or bake it in the oven.
Pork Ramen Bowls
For an Asian-inspired noodle bowl, top ramen with leftover pulled pork, a soft boiled egg, scallions, nori, bean sprouts, chili sauce, and other favorite additions. The pork adds heartiness, making it a meal not just a snack.
Porchetta Stuffed Acorn Squash
Cut acorn squash in half, roast, then pile the centers with shredded porchetta-style pork, quinoa, cranberries, and pecans. Finish under the broiler to brown. The sweet squash balances the savory pork beautifully.
Carnitas Tacos
Chop or shred leftover pork shoulder or pork butt, then pan fry it with onions, garlic, cumin, oregano, chipotles, orange juice, etc. Pile the carnita meat into tortillas or taco shells and top with all the fixings. Tacos are a great casual meal for a crowd.
Pupusas
Salvadoran pupusas are thick corn tortillas stuffed with fillings like cheese, beans, pork, etc. Knead leftover shredded pork into masa, then form into round tortillas and griddle cook them. Top with curtido cabbage slaw. Hearty and affordable.
Take the time to transform leftover pulled pork into something special, and no one will know it started as leftovers!
Use Pork as an Ingredient in Recipes
Beyond just re-serving leftover BBQ pork in another meal, you can also integrate the cooked meat directly into recipes as an ingredient. This adds moisture, flavor, and texture to a wide array of dishes.
Add to Pasta Sauce
Pulled pork or chopped pork shoulder mixes deliciously into pasta sauce. Simmer it in marinara, vodka sauce, alfredo, etc. The meat gives the sauce more body. Works great with short pastas like penne or rotini.
Include in Chili
Beans aren’t the only hearty addition to chili. Mix leftover pork into beef or turkey chili to make it even heartier. The extra meat gives more texture and pork flavor.
Use in Soups
Soups and stews are a natural home for extra pork. The meat adds richness, especially to bean, vegetable, tomato, and creamy soups. Even chicken noodle soup benefits from a bit of added pork.
Fold into Cornbread
Moist pulled pork folded into cornbread batter adds delicious pockets of juicy meat within the bread. Bake it up in muffin pans or a cast iron skillet. The pork’s smoky flavor permeates the cornbread.
Make Enchiladas and Tamales
In enchiladas, tamales, and other Mexican dishes featuring masa dough or tortillas, chopped or shredded pork makes a tasty filling. Mix it with spices and sauce, then wrap in tortillas or masa.
When a recipe calls for cooked meat as an ingredient, consider using up leftover BBQ pork instead of cooking something new. It adds subtle smoky flavor and moist texture.
Repurpose Leftovers Into Totally New Dishes
For fun and creative ways to revive leftover pork, look beyond the expected BBQ, Mexican, and Asian flavor profiles. Get inspired transforming the remains into something totally different and new!
BBQ Pork Pot Pie
Make pork pot pie filling by cooking onions, carrots and peas in sauce. Add leftover pulled pork, then pour into a pie shell and top with second crust or biscuits. The pork brings a savory, smoky flavor to this cozy comfort food.
Pork Apple Cider Breakfast Sausage
Mix shredded pork with sage, maple syrup, apple cider, cayenne, salt and pepper. Form into patties and cook like breakfast sausage. Serve with pancakes, in a sandwich or with eggs.
Pork Lettuce Cups
Inspired by Asian lettuce wraps but with BBQ flavor, sauté leftover chopped pork in sesame oil with hoisin, ginger, garlic and water chestnuts. Serve in lettuce leaves, topped with scallions and peanuts. Fresh crunch meets sweet, savory pork.
Pork Alfredo Pizza
Top pizza crust with alfredo sauce, mozzarella, leftover pulled pork, pineapple, jalapeños, cilantro, and queso fresco for a tropical-meets-BBQ flavor mashup. Get creative with global flavor combinations!
Pork Israeli Couscous Salad
In a summery Israeli couscous salad, combine the small pasta with shredded pork, cucumber, tomato, parsley, lemon, olive oil, feta, and za’atar seasoning. Zesty and vibrant.
Give leftover pulled pork and other BBQ pork exciting new flavor profiles and applications. It’s a fun challenge for adventurous cooks!
Best Ways to Use Up Small Amounts of Leftover Pork
Even if you only have a small quantity of leftover BBQ pork, there are still many ways you can utilize it before it goes bad. Here are some of the best options when you only have a little bit of pork left:
- Breakfast burrito with eggs, pork, potatoes, cheese, etc.
- Slider or mini sandwiches on dinner rolls or pretzel mini buns
- Mix into macaroni and cheese along with crisp bacon
- Fold into omelet or scramble with eggs and veggies
- Bruschetta topping – chop and mix with tomato, basil, olive oil, parmesan
- Pizza topping – add to plain cheese pizza for extra flavor
- Stir fry addition – toss into any veggies and sauce combination
- Quesadillas as above but with smaller quantity of meat
- Layer into sandwich or burgers for added moisture and flavor
- Skewers – alternate pork chunks with veggies and fruit
- Salads as mentioned before but use less meat mixed with greens
- Baked potatoes – no need for a lot of pork to top spuds
- Burrito bowls with rice, beans, veggies, salsa, etc.
- Omelet fillings as mentioned but with less pork
- Enchiladas with just a bit of pork for flavor
Don’t let smaller amounts of leftover pork go to waste! There are endless quick and easy ways to use up even small portions.
Don’t Toss It – Create Innovative Pork Dishes!
Leftover BBQ pulled pork and other cooked pork dishes present an exciting opportunity for creativity in the kitchen. Whether you repurpose it into quick simple meals, integrate it into new recipes, or come up with innovative new flavor combinations, leftover pork should never be tossed out!
With proper storage, the meat maintains moisture and flavor for several days after initial cooking. All it takes is a little imagination to transform leftovers into amazing new dishes. BBQ pork works well in so many cuisines from American to Mexican to Asian. It also pairs beautifully with both starchy and fresh ingredients.
Next time you find yourself with an abundance of leftover pork, see it as a chance to cook outside the box. Create your own signature pork dishes and use up every last tasty morsel. Your taste buds will thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover BBQ Pork
Still wondering what to do with the remains of that delicious BBQ pork meal? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What are the best ways to reheat leftover pulled pork or other BBQ pork?
Some good reheating methods include placing the pork in a skillet with a bit of broth, apple juice, or barbecue sauce to moisten it up. You can also wrap in foil and warm in a 300°F oven. Microwaving is okay but can make the texture a bit drier. Go low and slow.
How can I use a small amount of leftover pork (1-2 cups)?
Even small portions of pork work great mixed into fried rice, omelets, pasta bakes, pizza, sandwiches, salads, or stuffed into baked potatoes or tacos. You can also freeze small amounts for later use.
What are some ideas for using pork with other leftovers or random ingredients in my kitchen?
Mix pork with leftover rice for fried rice, blend into pasta with veggies and sauce, add to vegetable or noodle soups, stuff into baked peppers or mushrooms along with cheese, fold into omelets or scrambles with veggies and cheese, or mix into bean burritos or chili.
How long will leftover pulled pork last in the refrigerator? Is it safe to eat?
Properly stored in an airtight container, leftover pork will last 3-4 days in the fridge. The texture will deteriorate over time but it is safe to eat if it has been refrigerated and reheated fully to 165°F before serving.
What are the best ways to use pork leftovers to create an easy weeknight meal?
Some of the quickest weeknight meals include stuffed baked potatoes, pork quesadillas, pork lettuce wraps, BBQ pork wraps, pork fried rice, pork ramen, and pork taco salads. Most take under 30 minutes start to finish!
Leftover BBQ pulled pork and other cooked pork dishes are incredibly versatile ingredients. Whether you have a large quantity remaining or just a little bit, there are endless options for giving leftovers new life in delicious ways. Get creative and have fun transforming them into fast, easy meals or impressive culinary creations!
Conclusion
Leftover BBQ pork is a tasty treat, but it can get boring eating the same pulled pork or other pork dishes repeatedly. With some strategic storage and a dose of creativity, you can give leftover pork exciting new forms. Easy go-to options include salads, omelets, sandwiches, and pizza. You can also make elaborate entrees like stuffed squash and pot pie. And incorporating the pork as an ingredient in recipes like chili and pasta sauce gives a flavor boost. Small amounts still work great as pizza toppings, in omelets or mixed into fried rice. With proper storage and reheating, leftover BBQ pork stays moist and safe for several days of inspired cooking. So put on your culinary thinking cap and look beyond the obvious ways to savor pork second time around. Those remains can become truly exceptional dishes with a little imagination and skill.