Barbecue pulled pork is a classic dish that is beloved by many. Its tangy, smoky flavor and fall-apart tender meat make it a crowd favorite. But what happens when you have leftover pulled pork after serving a crowd? Don’t let it go to waste! There are endless possibilities for giving pulled pork a delicious second life. Read on for tips, tricks and recipe ideas to transform leftover pulled pork into enticing new dishes.

Store and Reheat Leftover Pulled Pork

First things first – properly storing and reheating leftover pulled pork is key. Here are some tips:

Store pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.
When reheating, do so gently either in the microwave with a splash of broth, on the stovetop over low heat, or in a 300°F oven. This will prevent the pork from drying out.
Add a dash of vinegar or barbecue sauce when reheating to bring back moisture and flavor.
Don’t reheat more than once, as the texture will deteriorate.

Once you’ve got leftover pulled pork ready to go, it’s time to get creative!

Sandwiches and Wraps

Arguably the easiest way to use up leftover pulled pork is to pile it onto a sandwich or wrap. Some delicious options include:

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich

A classic! Pile reheated pulled pork onto a bun and add desired barbecue sauce. Top with coleslaw or homemade pickles for crunch.

Pulled Pork Gyro

Season leftover pork with lemon, oregano, garlic and olive oil. Place in a warm pita or flatbread with tzatziki sauce, shredded lettuce, tomato and red onion.

Pulled Pork Banh Mi

Fill a crusty Vietnamese baguette with reheated pork, fresh cilantro, thinly sliced pickled carrots and daikon radish, cucumber and jalapeños. Drizzle with Sriracha mayo.

Pulled Pork Quesadilla

Mix pork with sautéed peppers and onions, then place between two tortillas with shredded cheese. Cook in a skillet until the cheese melts.

Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

Wrap cooled pork and quick-pickled vegetable slaw in lettuce leaves for a fresh, low-carb hand-held option.

Tacos and Burritos

Since pulled pork has a Mexican flair, tacos and burritos make excellent vessels for leftovers. Get creative with fillings!

Pulled Pork Tacos – Top warmed corn or flour tortillas with pork, diced onions, cilantro, cotija cheese and salsa of choice. Add guacamole, jalapeños or lime wedges for extra flavor.
Pulled Pork Burrito Bowls – Fill a bowl with pork, rice, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, avocado and drizzle with chimichurri sauce.
Pulled Pork Tostadas – Crispy fried tortillas piled with pork, refried beans, lettuce, tomato, Mexican crema and queso fresco.

Asian Fusion Dishes

Barbecue pulled pork beautifully absorbs Asian flavors. Try using it in:

Pulled Pork Fried Rice – Toss pork with fried rice, peas, carrots, soy sauce, sesame oil and scrambled eggs.
Pulled Pork Banh Bao Buns – Fill steamed Chinese buns with cilantro, pickled vegetables and hoisin-tossed pulled pork.
Pulled Pork Ramen – Top steaming ramen noodles with reheated pork, boiled egg, nori, scallions and spicy miso broth.
Pulled Pork Thai Curry – Simmer pork in coconut milk-based red or green curry sauce with vegetables. Serve over rice.
Pulled Pork Vietnamese Noodle Bowls (Bun) – Rice vermicelli, pork, nuoc cham, herbs, cucumber and peanuts. Perfection!

Casseroles and Bakes

When you need a hearty meal, turn to a comforting casserole with leftover pulled pork stirred in. Ideas include:

Pulled Pork Shepherd’s Pie – Pork and gravy topped with creamy mashed potatoes then baked.
Pulled Pork Tamale Pie – Layer pork, salsa, beans, corn, and cheese sauce in a casserole dish and bake until bubbly.
Pulled Pork Enchilada Bake – Mix pork with salsa verde, stuff into tortillas, top with enchilada sauce and more cheese. Bake.
Pulled Pork Lasagna – Use pork in place of meat sauce in a layered lasagna with ricotta, spinach and mozzarella.
Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese – Toss pork with cooked macaroni and top with cheesy béchamel sauce, breadcrumbs and more cheese. Bake until browned.

Soups, Chilis and Stews

Pulled pork adds hearty, smoky flavor to soups, chilis and stews. Ideas:

Pulled Pork Chili – Cook pork in the sauce with beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and beer. Garnish with scallions.
Pulled Pork Posole – Simmer pork in a New Mexican stew with hominy, chiles and warm spices.
Pulled Pork & Greens Soup – Pork and cooked greens in broth with potatoes and cornbread croutons.
Pulled Pork Ramen Soup – As mentioned above, ramen is elevated with leftover pork.
Pulled Pork Tortilla Soup – Add to spicy tomato-based vegetable soup and serve with tortilla strips.

BBQ Pork Pizza and Flatbreads

Pulled pork is an amazing pizza and flatbread topping. Don’t hold back on creative toppings!

BBQ Pork Pizza – Top pizza crust with pork, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella. Finish with more barbecue sauce.
Pulled Pork Naan Flatbread – Top warmed naan with pork, caramelized onions, goat cheese and balsamic glaze.
Pulled Pork Flatbread with Peach Salsa – Combine topped pork with fresh peach salsa and arugula on a flatbread crust.
Korean Pulled Pork Flatbread – Schmear flatbread with kimchi and gochujang sauce, then pile on pork and top with scallions and sesame seeds.
Pulled Pork Breakfast Pizza – Spread pork on pizza crust and top with scrambled eggs, cheese and avocado.

Salads and Grain Bowls

Cool, crisp salads and grain bowls are a lighter way to use up leftover pulled pork. Create fun combinations like:

Pulled Pork Cobb Salad – Top greens, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, avocado and bacon crumbles with warm pork. Drizzle on Ranch dressing.
Pulled Pork & Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad – Toss pork with quinoa, parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumber and lemon vinaigrette.
Pulled Pork & Roasted Veggie Bowl – Arrange pork over roasted vegetables, wild rice and tahini dressing.
Pulled Pork & Potato Salad – The classic picnic salad gets a twist with smoky, saucy pork added in.
Pulled Pork Taco Salad – Line a bowl with shredded lettuce. Top with pork, beans, corn, cheese, pico de gallo and guacamole.

Global Inspired Dishes

Use up pulled pork in fun, internationally inspired dishes:

Jerk Pulled Pork Patties – Form pork into patties and pan-fry. Serve in a bun with spicy jerk mayo and pineapple salsa.
Pulled Pork Empanadas – Fill dough rounds with pork, olives, raisins, eggs and spices. Bake until golden.
Pulled Pork Pierogi Filling – Use as the filling for the Polish dumplings. Boil, then pan fry in butter and onions.
Pulled Pork Arepas – Stuff the Colombian corn cakes with seasoned pork, avocado, cotija cheese and cabbage slaw.
Pulled Pork Jamaican Patties – Fill flaky pastries with spicy jerk-spiced pork. Bake or fry until the crust is golden.

Appetizers and Snacks

When you just want a little bit of pork, try using it in fun finger foods and snacks:

Pulled Pork Nachos – Pile pork with tomatoes, onions, pepper jack cheese and jalapeños on tortilla chips.
Pulled Pork Potato Skins – Spoon pork into baked potato halves and top with cheddar, bacon and scallions.
Deviled Pork Egg Rolls – Fold pork and deviled egg filling into wonton wrappers. Fry until crispy.
Pulled Pork Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with pork, Monterey Jack cheese and pickled jalapeños.
Pulled Pork Stuffed Mushrooms – Mix pork with cream cheese and stuff large mushroom caps. Bake until hot.

Transform Leftover Pulled Pork into New Meals

As you can see, leftover pulled pork is an amazing ingredient to keep on hand. It lends itself well to so many globally inspired dishes, from sandwiches to stir fries. With proper storage and reheating, you can reinvent those leftovers again and again without waste. Get creative with recipes like stuffed mushrooms, fried rice and empanadas. With these tips and ideas in hand, you’ll look forward to having leftovers! Pulled pork’s versatility is so impressive. Now put it to delicious use in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Pulled Pork

Barbecue pulled pork leftovers open a world of possibilities. But you may have some questions about the safe storage, reheating and repurposing of leftovers. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How long does pulled pork last in the fridge?

Properly stored pulled pork will last 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Make sure to refrigerate within 2 hours of initially cooking. Reheat only once before using up leftovers.

Can you freeze leftover pulled pork?

Yes, freezer storage is a great option for pulled pork leftovers. Portion into airtight bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. Pork can be frozen for 2 to 3 months before quality and taste deteriorate. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

What is the best way to reheat pulled pork?

Gently reheat pulled pork on the stovetop or in a 300°F oven until warmed through, to avoid drying it out. You can also reheat in the microwave with a splash of liquid. Add barbecue sauce or broth to keep it moist.

How do I keep reheated pulled pork from being dry?

Go low and slow when reheating pulled pork. You want to bring it up to temperature gently to retain moisture. Add a few tablespoons of sauce or liquid. Stop reheating as soon as it’s warm. Don’t over-reheat or you’ll dry it out.

Can you make pulled pork in an Instant Pot or slow cooker?

Yes, electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot and slow cookers are great tools for cooking pulled pork. The moist heat environment tenderizes tough cuts into fall-apart pulled pork. Follow recipes specific to your model.

How can I make quick pulled pork without slow cooking?

You can speed up pulled pork by using pork tenderloin instead of shoulder. Brown it, then simmer in a flavorful sauce until it shreds easily. Or, buy smoked/pre-cooked pork shoulder or loin and simply shred and add your own sauce.

What barbecue sauce goes best with pulled pork leftovers?

A sweeter, tomato-based barbecue sauce complements pulled pork well for leftovers. Bold and fruity sauces like Kansas City, Memphis or Georgia-style work nicely. Or make your own! The pork soaks up the sauce.

What kind of bread makes the best pulled pork sandwiches?

Buns and breads that can stand up to moist fillings and sauce work best, like brioche, pretzel and Kaiser rolls. Sturdy artisan loaves like ciabatta also make tasty pulled pork sandwiches. Soft tacos, tortillas and pitas work well too.

How can I use up a large batch of pulled pork?

Make versatile dishes when cooking a large batch, like burritos, sandwiches, pizza, casseroles, etc. that use up the pork in one go. Refrigerate or freeze smaller portions for later. Use in multiple recipes throughout the week – fried rice, nachos, pasta, etc.

Using up leftover pulled pork creatively helps reduce food waste and lets you enjoy delicious reinvented dishes all week long. With proper storage and reheating, it will retain its flavor in many meals to come. Now turn those leftovers into all kinds of global cuisine!

Conclusion

Leftover pulled pork is a wonderful ingredient to keep on hand in the fridge or freezer. It adds rich, smoky flavor to endless dishes across all cuisines. From sandwiches to pizza, fried rice to tamales, the possibilities are endless! With proper storage and reheating, pulled pork leftovers can be transformed into amazing new meals again and again without waste. These tips and recipe ideas unlock the full potential of leftover barbecue pulled pork. Now you can reinvent those dinners easily for delicious variety all week long. So grab those containers of pork out of the fridge and get cooking up something incredible. Your leftovers will thank you!

What to Make with Leftover BBQ Pulled Pork