Freezing pulled pork?

ryaninmichigan

Newbie

Original poster

Feb 18, 2008

19

10

• May 27, 2013

• #1

Anyone tried to cook ahead of time and freeze pulled pork for later?

I have to cook for 30 people the end of June. I am figuring on 2, 7 pound bone in butts. I was kicking around smoking one at a time and freezing after it has been pulled. Anyone ever try this?

 

bamafan

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Jun 4, 2008

823

25

Crestview Fl

• May 27, 2013

• #2

Works well. Just save all the juices and pack in the bags when you freeze them. I add a little apple juice when I reheat and do it slowly around 225 covered in foil.

 

pgsmoker64

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Apr 23, 2010

3,402

81

Prince George, Va.

• May 27, 2013

• #3

I do it all the time!  

I always cook several pork butts at a time for pulling.  I pull it all at the same time and then freeze in one pound ziploc bags.  I use the small packages to insure that the meat gets below 40 degrees as quickly as possible.

Also, if you use a finishing sauce on your pork, freeze it first then apply the seasoning later.  This will prevent the meat from developing a mushy texture during the freezing/thawing process.

Good luck,

Bill

 

stevensondrive

Smoke Blower

Nov 25, 2012

122

11

Springfield IL

• May 27, 2013

• #4

there are only 2 of us here so I gotta freeze.  Usually the smaller quart sized bags make it to the freezer.  I squeeze out aas much air as possible. 

 

oldschoolbbq

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jul 16, 2008

9,359

205

NW Ohio - outside Toledo

• May 27, 2013

• #5

Yeah, it can be done , but why, it don't last that long here.

All that good stuff in the Freezer and you'll have to wait till it gets hot to eat it (oh, and don't use a Microwave on it - - it really botches up the taste.

Best is to  Shrink wrap and Boil till hot, flavor is retained and not zapped to heck and back... just sayin'

Have fun and . .

 

notbobvilla

Newbie

Jul 25, 2010

20

10

Jacksonville, AR 72076

• May 27, 2013

• #6

Just the wife and I here so there is always PP in the freezer!  I use a vacuum sealer with quart bags, no sauce just pulled. I usually boil in bag but sometimes I will put in foil pan and reheat with a little sauce for moisture.  Where in Michigan you from? I'm in the SW corner.

 

ryaninmichigan

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 18, 2008

19

10

• May 27, 2013

• #7

notbobvilla said:

Just the wife and I here so there is always PP in the freezer!  I use a vacuum sealer with quart bags, no sauce just pulled. I usually boil in bag but sometimes I will put in foil pan and reheat with a little sauce for moisture.  Where in Michigan you from? I'm in the SW corner.

Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. I think I will smoke ahead of time and freeze it.

I am east of Flint in Davison

 

jrod62

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Group Lead

Jun 13, 2011

5,010

41

New Athens IL

• May 27, 2013

• #8

RYANINMICHIGAN said:

Anyone tried to cook ahead of time and freeze pulled pork for later?

I have to cook for 30 people the end of June. I am figuring on 2, 7 pound bone in butts. I was kicking around smoking one at a time and freezing after it has been pulled. Anyone ever try this?

Click to expand...

2 , 7lbs butts don't seem like it will be enough to feed 30 people. When your done smoking them you will end up with around 9lbs of Pull Pork. you might want to double that amount. better to have to much then not enough.

Just did 4 butts this weekend, right at 35lbs ( they was on sale for $.99lbs)

yes we freeze them all the time. get a  vacuum sealer thats the best way to freeze them.

they will last a long time that way in the freezer.

and all that PP is just for me and the wife. (unless she gives some of it away. ) she does that a lot.

 

ryaninmichigan

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Feb 18, 2008

19

10

• May 28, 2013

• #9

jrod62 said:

2 , 7lbs butts don't seem like it will be enough to feed 30 people. When your done smoking them you will end up with around 9lbs of Pull Pork. you might want to double that amount. better to have to much then not enough.

Just did 4 butts this weekend, right at 35lbs ( they was on sale for $.99lbs)

yes we freeze them all the time. get a  vacuum sealer thats the best way to freeze them.

they will last a long time that way in the freezer.

and all that PP is just for me and the wife. (unless she gives some of it away. ) she does that a lot.

Click to expand...

The pork wont be the only meat. We will have chicken and lots of side as well. I might do three 7 ounders though. Better to have to much I know lots of people that weill eat the left overs.