THE OVEN METHOD
Reheating in the oven is the best method for maintaining the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor of your fully cooked, frozen Ibérico Smoked Shoulder. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide:
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Thaw the Pork Shoulder: Transfer the frozen Smoked Shoulder from the freezer to the refrigerator, placing it on a tray or dish to catch any condensation. Allow it to thaw slowly and evenly in the fridge for around 24 hours. This slow thawing process helps retain the meat’s texture and prevents it from drying out during reheating.
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Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 300°F, a moderate temperature that evenly warms the shoulder without overcooking or drying it out. Lower temperatures ensure the meat is heated thoroughly without losing moisture.
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Prepare the Pork Shoulder for Reheating: Wrap the Smoked Shoulder in aluminum foil to lock in moisture during reheating. You can also add a few tablespoons of liquid, such as broth, water, or apple juice, inside the foil to create steam, keeping the meat moist.
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Reheat in the Oven: Place the wrapped Smoked Shoulder in the oven and reheat for 20 minutes per pound of meat. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, aiming for 150°F.
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Rest the Meat: After reheating, let the pork shoulder rest for 20 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, enhancing its tenderness and flavor. Keep the meat loosely covered with foil to retain heat.
THE PAN-SEARED METHOD
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Thaw the Pork Shoulder: Transfer the frozen Smoked Shoulder from the freezer to the refrigerator, placing it on a tray or dish to catch any condensation. Allow it to thaw slowly and evenly in the fridge for around 24 hours. This slow thawing process helps retain the meat’s texture and prevents it from drying out during reheating.
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Slice the Pork Shoulder: Once thawed, prepare the Smoked Shoulder by slicing it to your preferred thickness, as if it were bacon.
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Preheat the Pan: Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium-high heat. There’s no need to add any oil, as the Ibérico fat is more than sufficient. However, if you’d like, you can add a drizzle of olive oil to the skillet.
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Reheat on the Stove: Cook the slices on the griddle for a couple of minutes on each side until a crispy exterior forms. The time will depend on your preference and how crispy you want it, but it will be between 1-3 minutes per side. For an extra touch of flavor, season the smoked shoulder with a bit of freshly ground black pepper.
IDEAS FOR ENJOYING:
Once your smoked shoulder is reheated, you can pair it with roasted vegetables, use it to make sandwiches, or get creative - the options are limitless! This roasted pork can serve about 15 people when accompanied by sides and appetizers.
Once ready, slice it and enjoy. You can drizzle some olive oil over the top, add a few drops of lemon juice, sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and for a final touch, a pinch of smoked paprika. We hope you enjoy your Smoked
Shoulder tapa!You can even place it on your ham stand and slice it as if it were an Ibérico ham!
