Pulled pork is a staple of many parts of the U.S. and is one of the most flavorful dishes.
It is pork shoulder smoked on low heat and shredded and often consumed on its own or served with bread.
The making of pulled pork needs smoking the meat for a long time until it is tender enough to be “pulled.”
You can prepare this dish on a barbecue, but other alternative methods include using a domestic oven or a slow cooker.
Pork shoulder, which is an inexpensive portion, yields a good meat size for barbecuing, so people usually use it for making pulled pork.
Did you know? The idea of smoking pork was brought by the settlers from Spain when they first arrived in the States.
The barbecue process first happened when the settlers noticed that keeping the fire under the meat kept flies and bugs away and preserved it.
If you are thinking about how to store pulled pork properly, preserve it, or wondering how long it stays fresh, you have come to the right place!
We will provide you the necessary information on everything that has to do with storing pulled pork and knowing if it has gone stale.
How Long Does Pulled Pork Last? Does Pulled Pork Go Bad?
It’s fantastic if you have some pulled pork leftovers, as the taste gets better as it ages. Because the seasonings get deeper inside the meat with time, you will find it tastier.
However, how long will it remain fresh and tasty? Can you keep it in the fridge for days?
The answer varies depending on your storage and how you reheat the pulled pork. But don’t worry; it’s not going to be a science experiment to find that out!
Most obviously, you will want to store your pulled pork in the refrigerator, because anywhere else isn’t going to be effective in preserving it.
And according to healthline.com, you wouldn’t want to leave cooked pork dishes in the fridge for more than two to three days. You will be risking your health if you go any further than that.
If you really liked that pulled pork dish you made and want to keep it longer, you can always store it in the freezer.
After all, it’s better to thaw and defrost it than to toss it out! Just be sure there is no air inside the bags to be certain that everything remains fresh inside.
Sealing with a vacuum food sealer would be even better as it will make it easier for you to store your pulled pork.
Either way, get bags that are strong enough to last, so the meat doesn’t get freezer burned and ruin everything.
Next, it is ideal to flatten the bags instead of having rounded, bulky meat in the freezer. This way, you can conveniently take the meat in and out whenever needed.
How to Tell if Pulled Pork is Bad? Pulled Pork Shelf Life!
Are you aware that if you accidentally eat spoiled pulled pork or any type of cooked pork, it could poison you?
You will feel its effect in two to three days, where you will experience diarrhea, nausea, high fever, and other digestive disorders.
So it’s crucial to be able to tell if your pulled pork has gone bad.
Sometimes, it’s easy to tell whether the meat is spoiled by just looking at it. In fact, visual examination is the first thing we do.
Open your packed pulled pork and see if there is mold covering it. The presence of mold is a clear indication to throw it away!
Don’t even think about trimming out the moldy part, as some people do! It’s best to call it quits as you can’t tell whether it is harmless or not.
You can also check for any change in the texture. If the meat looks suspicious to you, it’s better not to risk eating it.
Be it pulled pork or any cooked meat; it’s hard to tell whether it is bad. But one visible sign is finding slimy layers covering the meat.
If your pulled pork looks or feels damp or slimy, know that you can no longer keep it.
You can also look for any color changes. Although changes in the meat color don’t always mean that it has gone bad.
It can happen due to other factors like exposure to air, temperature, and light. But again, if it comes with the other signs mentioned above, you should head with it to the trash bin.
The most unambiguous indication of stale pulled pork is its rancid smell. It is also one of the quickest ways to know if it has spoiled.
Sniff the meat, and if you get a tangy, foul odor, you don’t need another assurance that your pulled pork has gone bad.
Conclusion
It is dangerous to eat bad pulled pork, or in any case, bad meat even after cooking it.
You will immediately notice that your pulled meat gives out a rancid odor, feels moldy, or looks slimy and gray if your meat is stale.
Almost everyone enjoys pulled pork, and the recipes that include pulled pork are incomparably delicious!
However, it is good to be on the safe side by always checking that your meat is still fresh.
I hope the article has helped you better understand how to preserve your pulled pork and know if it is bad.
So the next time you make some pulled pork, you confidently store it and enjoy eating it till it’s all in your stomach!
How Long Does Pulled Pork Last? Does Pulled Pork Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Pulled pork
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
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