Pulled pork is a popular barbecue dish that is made by cooking pork (usually pork shoulder or pork butt) low and slow until the meat becomes very tender and can be easily pulled or shredded apart using two forks. Leftover pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator for later use, but there is often uncertainty around exactly how long it stays safe to eat.
Many people wonder if leftover pulled pork will still be good after sitting in the fridge for a week. The answer isn’t straightforward and depends on several factors, which will be explored in this article. Continue reading to learn more about the safety and quality of eating pulled pork after refrigeration.
How Long Does Cooked Pulled Pork Last in the Fridge?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food safety guidelines, cooked pulled pork should be safe to eat for 3 to 4 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. The USDA recommends keeping cooked meats like pulled pork at a temperature of 40°F or below to prevent bacteria growth.
Here are the USDA’s official recommendations for maximum refrigerator storage times for cooked pork:
Refrigerator Storage Times for Cooked Pork
| Food | Refrigerator (40°F or below) |
|---|---|
| Cooked pork, pork dishes, pulled pork | 3 to 4 days |
However, many people report successfully keeping and eating pulled pork for up to 7 days when it is stored in an airtight container and the refrigerator temperature is consistently 40°F or below. The quality and texture can decline after the third or fourth day but it is often still safe to eat.
So in summary, while 3 to 4 days is the recommended limit for safety, it is common for cooked pulled pork to last 5 to 7 days if properly stored. But anything beyond 1 week in the fridge starts to become high risk.
How to Tell If Pulled Pork Has Gone Bad
Although leftover pulled pork may still be safe to eat after a week, its quality and freshness will progressively decline over time. Here are some signs that pulled pork has spoiled and is no longer good to eat:
Appearance
– Change in color, especially a greenish or blue tint
– Excessive moisture or dryness
– Grey coloring around the edges
– Mold growth, which may appear fuzzy or thread-like
Texture
– Extremely mushy or slimy consistency
– Unusual toughness
Smell
– Rotten, unpleasant sour odor
– Smells off, not like typical pork
Taste
– Bitter, unpleasant taste
– Tangy or acidic taste
Generally, your senses are the best tools for assessing whether pulled pork has spoiled after a week in the refrigerator. If it looks, smells or tastes off from what you expect, it is best to throw it out. Discard pork immediately at the first signs of spoilage.
How to Store Leftover Pulled Pork Properly
To maximize the freshness and shelf life of leftover pulled pork, follow these storage guidelines:
– Refrigerate within 2 hours – Don’t leave pulled pork out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours after cooking. Refrigerate it within this window.
– Store in airtight containers – Keep pulled pork in a sealed plastic, glass or aluminum container with an airtight lid. This prevents drying out.
– Ensure 40°F temperature – Verify the fridge temperature is consistently 40°F or below. Use a refrigerator thermometer to check.
– Use within 3 to 4 days – For absolute safety and quality, use leftover pulled pork within 3 to 4 days. Discard after 1 week.
– Reheat thoroughly – Heat pulled pork to 165°F before eating to kill any bacteria. Bring sauces to a boil when reheating.
Proper refrigeration methods help pulled pork retain moisture and freshness longer while preventing the growth of harmful bacteria.
Can You Freeze Pulled Pork?
Yes, freezing is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of leftover pulled pork safely beyond 1 week. According to the USDA FoodKeeper guidelines, pulled pork can last 3 to 4 months in a freezer set to 0°F.
To freeze pulled pork:
– Let it cool completely after cooking, about 2 hours.
– Place in airtight freezer bags, plastic containers or aluminum foil.
– Remove as much air from bags as possible before sealing.
– Label package with date and contents.
– Freeze for up to 4 months at 0°F.
Once thawed and refrigerated, pulled pork should be eaten within 3 to 4 days for safety. It can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight or using the microwave or cold water method.
Freezing enables enjoying delicious pulled pork for months while maintaining its quality.
Can You Reheat Pulled Pork After a Week?
It is not recommended to eat pulled pork that has been refrigerated for over 1 week, even if you reheat it thoroughly. The bacteria that causes food poisoning can still survive and the pork is more likely to have an unpleasant taste or texture.
However, if the pulled pork shows no signs of spoilage, odor, or sliminess, reheating might make it safe to eat for up to 1 week. When reheating pork after an extended time in the fridge:
– Inspect it closely and check for sliminess, stickiness and off-smells. Don’t taste any pork that shows signs of spoilage.
– Reheat thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a food thermometer to verify temperature.
– Bring sauces and gravy to a rolling boil.
– If the texture or taste seems off after reheating, throw it out. Don’t take risks.
– When in doubt, remember the rule “If in doubt, throw it out.”
Again, it is best to consume leftover pulled pork within 3 to 4 days for guaranteed safety and quality. The longer pork sits in the fridge, the higher the risks even if reheated.
How Many Days Does Shredded Pork Last in the Fridge?
Shredded pork has a similar shelf life to pulled pork. According to the USDA guidelines:
– Raw shredded pork lasts 1 to 2 days.
– Cooked shredded pork lasts 3 to 4 days.
The same food safety principles apply to both pulled pork and shredded pork. To extend the shelf life of cooked shredded pork:
– Refrigerate in airtight containers at 40°F or below.
– Use within 3 to 4 days for best quality.
– Discard any pork that smells or looks spoiled.
– Reheat to 165°F before eating.
Properly stored in the fridge, shredded pork stays fresh for 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze cooked shredded pork for 2 to 3 months.
What Happens If You Eat Bad Pork?
Eating spoiled, contaminated pulled pork can cause foodborne illness. The major safety concern with pork is Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
Symptoms of food poisoning from bad pork include:
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Abdominal cramps
– Diarrhea
– Fever
– Chills
– Headaches
– Weakness and fatigue
In otherwise healthy people, food poisoning from pork will typically cause uncomfortable but not life-threatening symptoms for 1-3 days. However, Salmonella can be more dangerous in young children, pregnant women, seniors, or those with weakened immune systems.
Severe cases of foodborne illness require medical treatment for dehydration. See a doctor immediately if vomiting, diarrhea, fever or other symptoms persist beyond 2 days.
Always discard questionable pork rather than taking risks with your health.
Can You Cook and Refreeze Thawed Pulled Pork?
Previously frozen pulled pork that has been thawed can be safely refrozen provided that the following guidelines are followed:
– The pork was thawed in the refrigerator at temperatures at or below 40°F, not at room temperature.
– The thawed pork was handled properly and has not been left at temperatures above 40°F for more than 2 hours total time.
– The pork remains in good condition with no signs of spoilage or other quality deterioration, with no off odors or sticky texture.
– The pork is cooked thoroughly to a safe minimum internal temperature, such as 165°F for reheating.
– After cooking, the pork is cooled quickly to 40°F or below within 2 hours before freezing.
– The pork is stored in airtight packaging or containers to prevent freezer burn.
– It is refrozen at 0°F consistently for long term storage.
– The pork is not refrozen more than once after thawing.
Refreezing previously thawed pulled pork is safe provided it meets the above protocols. The USDA does not recommend refreezing thawed raw pork, but fully cooked thawed pork may be refrozen. Handle it carefully according to food safety guidelines and consume within a few months for best quality.
Does Reheating Pulled Pork Change the Taste?
Properly reheating pulled pork should not significantly change the taste – it should taste similar to when it was freshly prepared.
However, here are some potential impacts of reheating on pulled pork flavor:
– The pork may lose some moisture, making it slightly drier or less juicy.
– Spices and rubs may taste less intense. Reheating can cause some subtle flavor loss.
– If not seasoned again before reheating, the pork may taste blander. Consider adding barbecue sauce, spices or other flavor boosters.
– Overheating or burning the pork can make it taste rubbery. Always reheat gently and thoroughly.
– Old or spoiled pork may have an off-flavor that reheating won’t fix. Stick to 3-4 day maximum fridge time.
With proper, gentle reheating techniques, pulled pork can retain most of its original smoked barbecue flavor for 3 to 5 days when refrigerated. But the taste quality does gradually decline, making freshness ideal.
Conclusion
It’s generally safe to eat properly refrigerated pulled pork within 3 to 4 days, although the quality declines after this time. Many people report successfully keeping pulled pork for up to 7 days if it is stored in an airtight container at a consistent fridge temperature below 40°F. However, pork should always be discarded after 1 week in the fridge, even if thoroughly reheated.
For long term storage, pulled pork can be frozen for 3 to 4 months at 0°F. Reheating until 165°F can make 1 week old pork safe to eat, but extreme care should be taken to check for spoilage and off tastes or textures. When in doubt, remember the rule “If in doubt, throw it out.” Following proper storage methods, sanitation, cooling procedures, and using food within the recommended time limits can prevent foodborne illnesses from eating pulled pork.