How to Reheat Pulled Pork: The Best Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking for instructions on how to reheat pulled pork? I’ve got the perfect step-by-step guide for you that makes the process simple, fast, and most importantly of all, delicious!

I’m a firm believer that there’s no such thing as “too much” when it comes to the foods we love. If I’m cooking, dining out, or just grabbing takeout, I’m always thinking about having extras for a future meal. In my book, there’s nothing more convenient, time-saving, or satisfying than diving into those leftovers. After all, it’s something you already know is delectable—and all you have to do is heat it up! 

Of course, if you want your leftovers to still be delectable the second time, you’ve got to do it right. To reheat pulled pork the right way requires technique, but the effort is well worth it, my friends! I mean, who doesn’t love this wonderful dish?! Juicy, tender, succulent chunks of pork, falling apart on your fork. Saucy. Sweet. Salty. Spicy. Yummy! 

Just thinking about it makes you want to reach for your favorite pair of stretchy pants, right? But before you do, read on. There are some definite do’s and don’ts you need to know, and I’m breaking it all down for you. So, are you ready to give your leftover pulled pork some serious love?

The Best Methods to Reheat Pulled Pork

There are many ways you can reheat pulled pork. My preferred methods are the oven, crock pot, stovetop, and microwave. 

The oven is my favorite option, and the best way to reheat pulled pork overall. In fact, it’s often the best tool to preserve texture and taste for many kinds of leftovers. When you are reheating a protein, low and slow is the way to go. Nothing does that better than your conventional oven.

My second choice to reheat pulled pork is the crock pot. This method actually takes the longest, but you simply cannot beat it for ease and convenience. Indeed, the set-it-and-forget-it nature of the crock pot makes it one of my most-loved appliances. (If you don’t have one, or if you’re still using an ancient crock-o-saurus, it’s time for a modern one. The latest crock pots are amazing, and so much more versatile than older models!) The crock pot also does an outstanding job of retaining moisture. When you reheat pulled pork in a crock pot, it will never be dry! (PS—It’s a great appliance for cooking pulled pork from scratch as well.)

A pot on the stovetop works also well to reheat pulled pork. It will just need some stirring, so you’ll have to tend to it a little more closely. But on the plus side, it’s going to be much faster than the oven or crock pot.

The microwave is my least favorite method to reheat pulled pork. Microwaves are great because they are fast and easy. However, they also tend to alter leftovers in not-so-desirable ways. They literally zap moisture out of your food! But if that’s your method of choice to reheat pulled pork, no worries. We can still make it work with very tasty results.

So, once you’ve decided on your method to reheat pulled pork, it’s time to get started. (Yup, time to break out those stretchy pants, folks!)

Instructions for Reheating Pulled Pork in Oven

1. Take your leftover pulled pork out of the refrigerator. Let it warm up to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

PS—Only take out the amount you intend to eat. Never reheat leftovers more than once for food safety reasons.

2. Preheat your oven to 225°F.
3. Put your pulled pork into an appropriate-sized, oven-safe dish. No need to pull it apart yet if it hasn’t already been shredded. You can do that after it’s been heated up.
4. Add about a tablespoon of liquid per cup of meat to help the pork stay moist. 

5. Cover the dish with a tight-fitting lid or some foil to lock in moisture. Then, put it on the center rack in the middle of your preheated oven.
6. Now, it’s time to start timing it. A small amount could take as little as 30 minutes, while larger quantities could need an hour or more. Begin checking the temperature at the 30-minute mark. 

When the center of the pulled pork (shredded or still whole) reaches 165°F, it’s ready. If you aren’t there yet, put it back in. Keep checking periodically until you’ve reached the temperature.

Instructions for Reheating Pulled Pork in Crock Pot

1. Take your leftover pulled pork out of the refrigerator. Let it warm up to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

PS—Only take out the amount you intend to eat. Never reheat leftovers more than once for food safety reasons.

2. Set your crock pot on low, or the “keep warm” setting, depending on your model.
3. Next, put your pulled pork into the crock pot. You can shred it now if it hasn’t already been shredded. It will reheat more evenly that way.
4. Add about a tablespoon of liquid per cup of meat to help the pork stay moist. (See my tip about the types of liquid you can add in step #4 of the oven instructions above.)
5. Cover the crock pot tightly. Don’t leave the lid ajar. You want to keep all that juicy deliciousness inside!
6. Now, it’s time to start timing it. A small portion could be ready as soon as an hour. Larger quantities could take as long as a few hours. Begin checking after an hour has elapsed. 

Open the lid, give it a stir, and take the temperature with a food thermometer. When the center of the pulled pork reaches 165°F, it’s ready. If it’s not hot enough yet, continue checking periodically until you’ve reached the right temperature.

Instructions for Reheating Pulled Pork on Stove

1. Take your leftover pulled pork out of the refrigerator. Let it warm up to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
2. Choose an appropriately-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid. A non-stick version is always a good idea when heating up something that might get sticky like pulled pork. You’ll never go wrong with this terrific pot by T-fal.
3. Next, put your pulled pork into the pot. You can shred it now if it hasn’t already been shredded. It will reheat more evenly that way.
4. Add about a tablespoon of liquid per cup of meat to help the pork stay moist. (See my tip about the types of liquid you can add in step #4 of the oven instructions above.)
5. Cover the pot tightly. Don’t leave the lid ajar. You want to keep all that juicy deliciousness inside! Turn the burner on medium-low.
6. Now, it’s time to start timing it, and you’ll also need to give it a stir every 5-10 minutes. A small amount could be ready in as little as 15 minutes. Larger quantities could take as long as 30 minutes. Take the temperature with a food thermometer. When it reaches 165°F, it’s ready. If not, continue stirring and checking periodically until you’ve reached the right temperature.

Instructions for Reheating Pulled Pork in Microwave

1. Take your leftover pulled pork out of the refrigerator. Let it warm up to room temperature for about 15 minutes.

PS—Only take out the amount you intend to eat. Never reheat leftovers more than once for food safety reasons.

2. Choose an appropriately-sized, microwave-safe dish with a well-fitted lid. (Here’s a fantastic set of microwave cookware by Calypso Basics. Frankly, everyone should have these. They do a much better job at reheating or microwave cookery than your standard plasticware!)
3. Next, put your pulled pork into the dish. You can shred it now if it hasn’t already been shredded. It will reheat more evenly that way.
4. Add about a tablespoon of liquid per cup of meat to help the pork stay moist. (See my tip about the types of liquid you can add in step #4 of the oven instructions above.)
5. Cover the dish tightly. Microwave-safe plastic wrap will work if you don’t have a lid. But make sure it’s well covered. You want to keep all that juicy deliciousness inside! 
6. Now, set your microwave to low (30% power) and reheat pulled pork for 1 minute. Then, give it a stir and check its temperature with a food thermometer. When it reaches 165°F, it’s ready. If it’s not there yet, put it back in and keep checking frequently until you reach the temperature. This could take just a minute for small amounts, or up to 5 minutes or more for larger quantities. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I keep leftover pulled pork in the fridge?

Up to 3 days. After that, you should dispose of it or freeze it. (It will keep in your freezer for 3 to 6 months. Just make sure you use an air-tight container or zipper bag. It’s important to squeeze out as much air as possible.)

Can I use the above instructions to reheat pulled pork for pork belly as well?

No, that reheating method is a bit different. Please check out my helpful tutorial on reheating roast pork belly instead.

Can I use these instructions to reheat pulled pork that is frozen?

Sure! Just thaw it out first, then follow the instructions above for your method of choice.

What other side dishes go well with pulled pork? Classic favorites like coleslaw, biscuits, corn, salt potatoes, and baked beans are all terrific ideas. But when I reheat pulled pork, I’ve got to have a big bowl of mac-n-cheese, too!