How Long Is Pulled Pork Good For?
Pulled pork is a flavorful barbecue dish that involves slow-cooking meat for 4–6 hours until it becomes tender and easily shredded. It is enjoyed in various forms worldwide.
But how long does pulled pork last? Read on to find out.
How Long Is Pulled Pork Good For?
The shelf life of pulled pork can vary depending on various factors such as storage conditions and whether it has been refrigerated or frozen. Generally, when properly stored in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil and refrigerated, pulled pork can last for 3–4 days. If frozen, it can maintain its quality for up to 2–3 months.
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines, and it’s always recommended to use your own judgment to determine if the pulled pork is still safe to eat. If you notice any signs of spoiling such as a sour smell, off color, or unusual texture, it’s best to discard it.
How To Store Pulled Pork Leftovers?
Choosing Correct Containers
There are several types of containers for you to select when it comes to storing pulled pork.
No matter which one you choose, it’s important to understand that our target is to try to keep the air out of the containers as much as possible. Thereafter, you can put them in a fridge for a long and safe storage.
The best choice is a Ziploc Bag, which is a kind of plastic bag but features a zipper, allowing very tight sealing. Besides, if there are plastic boxes in your kitchen, you can utilize them to store the food.
Another choice for you is aluminum foil. But I don’t recommend using this one alone, since it can create gaps and cause messes if you don’t wrap it closely and correctly.
One simple way to extend the time of storage as well as preserve the taste much better is to divide the food into different servings. This way, you have to put it in several containers and eat them one by one.
For even longer storage, you can use a Vacuum Sealer, which is a machine allowing you to remove all the air from the package before sealing. The below video shows you how to store pulled pork with a vacuum sealer.
Step By Step To Store It
The following are two steps you should follow to achieve the best storage result:
Step 1: Put It in Bags
Transfer the leftovers to bags. Don’t fill it fully, but instead, leave about 1-2 inch at the top of the bag. That’s because the food will expand while being frozen.
Also, make sure the bags are completely sealed so that no leakage can occur.
For accurate monitoring, you should write down the date you cooked your food on the outside of the bags or leave a note in the fridge.
Step 2: Put The Bags in The Fridge
Depending on how long you want to store your pulled pork, you might decide to put your bags in the freezer or the cooling compartment of your fridge.
It’s obvious that using the freezer brings the longer result. For the exact time, I’ll show you soon in the section below.
As you’re placing the bags, make sure you organize them by stacking them flatly on top of each other. This way, you’ll save a lot of space in your fridge.
Note:
Food is edible doesn’t mean it’s good to eat. So, I’d suggest you eating your pulled pork within about 3–4 months from the date you’ve put it in the freezer. This way, you’ll have to chance to enjoy its delicious taste and aromatic flavor.
Tips and Hacks
Freezing Smoked Pulled Pork
Whether you choose to refrigerate or freeze, make sure you don’t leave your pulled pork more than two hours after it has cooked in the room temperature.
For more than several days of storage, food needs to be frozen at or below 32 degrees F. In fact, freezing pulled pork can keep it last for 6-8 months.
To be able to keep it that long, you have to get as much air out of the Ziploc bags as possible before freezing.
Put The Meat At Internal Back of the Fridge
Let put the package internal back of the fridge is its coolest part because the freezing elements are placed near here. Besides, this part is less impacted by opening or closing the door.
