The Best Ways to Use Leftover Pulled Pork
Transform your meaty leftovers into garbage bread, tacos, pasta and more.
Kate Mathis, 2016, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Cooking a big batch of pulled pork is a great way to cook a lot of food in one fell swoop — and get more for your money, thanks to economical cuts like pork shoulder. But your pulled pork can also be put to creative uses to keep things interesting as you eat your way through a big batch. Like soups and stews, the flavors of pulled pork get even better the next day and can be turned into a variety of meals for days to come. They're perfect for loading up sandwiches, layering into nachos and mixing into grain salads and pastas.
You can also freeze leftover pulled pork and take out smaller portions to thaw. Package leftovers in freezer bags or air-tight containers labeled with the date. Try to remove as much air as possible but make sure to keep a little space at the top, as food tends to expand as it freezes. Keep it in a spot in your freezer where you'll remember you have it — it's best to use within 2 to 3 months. Then, when the mood strikes, place some of the frozen pulled pork in your fridge to thaw before using. You’ll likely run out of all that leftover pulled pork well before you run out of uses for it with these recipe ideas in mind.
Don't be fooled by the name — this bread deserves a spot on your dining table. Loaded with gooey cheese and tangy barbecue sauce, it's a family-sized crowd-pleaser, but you can also divide this recipe in half for a smaller serving size.
No pulled pork line-up would be complete without a mac and cheese recipe. This one combines everything in one pot for a quick and easy meal you can make in under 30 minutes.
Evi Abeler
Turn to your freezer and pantry for this easy skillet meal, which combines store-bought cornbread mix, frozen stuffed jalapenos and a can of baked beans for a clutch way to get a satisfying dinner on the table in just half an hour.
Get your crunchy, cheesy fix with Molly Yeh's spin on nachos. Two kinds of peppers are layered with refreshing pineapple, tender pulled pork, chips and cheese for a colorful contrast in flavors and textures.
Brighten up your brunch or serve breakfast for dinner with Sunny Anderson's inspired take on an egg benedict. It just might permanently replace the Canadian bacon. She adds a roasted tomato and chipotle adobo sauce for a fire-roasted kick.
This dish is assembled just like a lasagna, with layers of tortillas, your leftover pulled pork and a few pantry items like enchilada sauce, beans and corn. Top it with fresh scallions and cilantro, then a cool dollop of sour cream.
Go Italian with this 30-minute meal from Rachael Ray that utilizes the leftover braising juices from your pulled pork and adds a wide pasta like pappardelle for maximum slurping.
Here are some of our favorite ideas for using leftover pulled pork as a topping:
Add it to homemade arepas with a bright cabbage slaw in Pulled Pork Arepas. (pictured)
Marshall Troy
Top it on your tacos with a refreshing citrus salsa in Giada's Pulled Pork Tacos with Citrus Salsa.
Load up classic potato skins with it in these KC BBQ Potato Skins.
Spoon it over some corn chips and top with a fried egg in Bobby Flay's BBQ Pulled Pork Frito Pie.
Give it an Asian twist with this Vietnamese Noodle Salad with Pulled Pork, or try this Pulled Pork Ramen.
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