How to Reheat Pulled Pork Without Drying It Out

Pulled pork is one of the easiest barbecue meats to reheat. Because it is already in small pieces, it warms quickly. That also means it can dry out quickly, so a little moisture and gentle heat make a big difference.

In short, add a few spoonfuls of liquid, keep the pork covered and warm it gently until it reaches 165 degrees. A sealed bag in a pot of hot water is the easiest method, a covered dish in a 250 degree oven is the most reliable for a large batch, and a slow cooker is best for keeping pork warm at a party.

The Best Method: A Water Bath

Our pulled pork for Heat & Eat comes vacuum sealed, which makes a water bath the easiest option.

1. Submerge the sealed bag in a large pot of water.
2. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium high heat.
3. Allow 15 to 20 minutes per pound once the water is at a gentle boil.
4. Take the bag out and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
5. Open the bag, give the pork a stir and serve.

Leave the bag sealed until you are ready to serve. Full times for every cut are on our Heat & Eat reheating page.

In the Oven

1. Heat the oven to 250 degrees.
2. Spread the pork in a baking dish and add a splash of broth, apple juice or a little barbecue sauce.
3. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
4. Stir once partway through and heat until the pork reaches 165 degrees. A few pounds usually takes 30 to 45 minutes.

In a Slow Cooker

A slow cooker works well when you are feeding a group and want to keep the pork warm for a while. Add the pork with a small amount of liquid, set it to low and stir it every so often. Once it reaches 165 degrees, switch it to warm. Keep the lid on so the moisture stays in, and add a little more liquid if it starts to look dry.

On the Stovetop

For a quick portion, warm the pork in a covered skillet over low heat with a spoonful of liquid. Stir it often and take it off the heat as soon as it is hot. For crispy edges, uncover the pan for the last minute or two and let the pork brown a little.

In the Microwave

The microwave is fine for a single serving. Put the pork in a microwave safe dish, add a spoonful of liquid and cover it. Heat it at medium power in short intervals, stirring between each one, until it is hot all the way through.

What Liquid to Add

A few tablespoons of liquid per pound is usually enough. Chicken broth keeps the flavor neutral, apple juice adds a little sweetness and barbecue sauce adds flavor and color. If you saved any juices from the original cook, those work best of all. Add just enough to keep the pork moist, because too much liquid will make it soggy.

Reheating Pulled Pork for a Party

For a crowd, reheat the pork in the oven or a slow cooker and keep it covered on the buffet. The USDA recommends holding hot food at 140 degrees or warmer and not leaving cooked food at room temperature for more than two hours. Plan on about one third pound of cooked pulled pork per adult if it is the only meat. Our guide to how much BBQ to order per person has more detail.

Serving Ideas

Pulled pork goes well on a soft roll with coleslaw, over mac ’n’ cheese or on top of nachos. At our restaurant we serve it by the pound, on plates and in sandwiches. The pulled pork page lists each option with prices, and the restaurant menu has the full list.

How Long Pulled Pork Keeps

Vacuum-sealed smoked meat keeps in the fridge for up to two months at or below 36 degrees. The USDA recommends refrigerating opened leftovers within two hours and eating them within three to four days, and reheating leftovers to 165 degrees. Leftovers can be reheated more than once as long as they reach 165 degrees each time, but the pork dries out a little more each time, so warm only what you plan to eat. Our guide on freezing pulled pork covers longer storage.

For other meats and sides, see our guide to reheating BBQ leftovers.