Nitrates in Pulled Pork: Should You Be Concerned?

There are molecules called nitrates in the air, soil, water, and some foods. They are made up of nitrogen and oxygen. Some of the foods high in nitrates are green leafy vegetables and root vegetables. Plants and animals need nitrates to grow and be healthy.

Vegetables with high nitrates can improve your heart health, but cured meats may increase your risk of cancer. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty s).

It is also added to some foods, like meats and some kinds of cheese, to stop bacteria from growing and make the food taste and look better.

Pulled pork is a quintessential barbecue dish, prized for its tender, smoky shreds of flavorful pork. But some people have concerns about nitrates potentially being added to pulled pork Do nitrates belong in pulled pork, and how worried should you be about their health effects? Let’s break down the facts on nitrates in pulled pork.

What Are Nitrates?

Nitrates and nitrites are food additives used as preservatives, commonly found in cured and processed meats like hot dogs, deli meats, bacon, and ham.

Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) are the main nitrate additives. In your body, nitrates can convert into nitrites.

Nitrites help prevent botulism and other bacterial growth by inhibiting the growth of Clostridium botulinum spores This makes processed meats safer to eat

The Controversy Around Nitrates

In large amounts, nitrites may be linked to an increased cancer risk. When exposed to high heat, nitrites can turn into nitrosamines, which are potentially carcinogenic compounds

Some studies also link nitrites to migraine headaches, due to their effects on blood vessels.

However, nitrites occur naturally in many foods like vegetables, and our own saliva contains nitrites. More research is needed on nitrate/nitrite health risks.

Are Nitrates Added to Pulled Pork?

Traditionally, pulled pork is not cured or processed like hot dogs or ham. Most pulled pork is not preserved with added nitrates.

The pork shoulder or butt is simply rubbed with spices, then slow-cooked for hours until fall-apart tender. This extended cooking makes added preservatives unnecessary.

However, some commercial pulled pork may contain sodium nitrite. Check the ingredients list and nutrition facts label for additives.

Identifying Nitrate-Free Pulled Pork

To identify nitrate-free pulled pork:

  • Check for the terms “uncured,” “no nitrates/nitrites added”
  • Review the ingredients list for sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate
  • Opt for freshly cooked pulled pork, not pre-packaged
  • Make your own rub without preservatives

Should You Avoid Nitrates in Pulled Pork?

This depends on your health perspective:

  • For most people, occasional intake of cured meats with nitrites is likely fine. But minimize intake of highly processed meats if concerned.

  • Some may wish to fully avoid added nitrates due to potential cancer risks and other health issues. Nitrate-free pulled pork provides peace of mind.

  • Those with migraines may want to limit nitrites which can trigger headaches.

  • If you have no health conditions exacerbated by nitrates, their presence in moderation is likely low risk.

Cooking Nitrate-Free Pulled Pork

Making your own nitrate-free pulled pork is easy:

  • Choose a pork shoulder, Boston butt, or picnic shoulder roast. Trim excess fat.

  • Make a dry rub using spices like brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and onion powder.

  • Massage the rub all over the pork. Refrigerate for 1-2 days to let flavors penetrate.

  • Cook low and slow, at 225°F – 250°F for 8-12 hours, until fork tender. Use a smoker or oven.

  • Shred the juicy pork with two forks. Toss in barbecue sauce.

  • Serve on buns, over rice, with coleslaw, beans, and pickles. Enjoy the tasty, nitrate-free flavor!

The takeaway? While occasional nitrates are probably fine for most, nitrate-free pulled pork provides peace of mind for those limiting processed meats or additives. With a simple spice rub and low-and-slow cooking, you can easily avoid nitrates but still achieve smoky, mouthwatering pulled pork.

does pulled pork have nitrates

Foods With Added Nitrates

Some cured meats have nitrates added to preserve them and improve their color and taste. Examples include:

  • Bacon
  • Bologna
  • Canned meat
  • Corned beef
  • Deli meat
  • Ham
  • Hot dogs
  • Pepperoni
  • Salami
  • Sausage

Of these, the following have the highest levels of nitrates:

Ham. A 100-gram serving of cured ham has a little less than 1 milligram of nitrates. This is the source of the iconic pink color of cured hams.

Bacon. A 100-gram serving of bacon has 5.5 milligrams of nitrates.

Deli meat. Deli meat is another major source of harmful nitrates. Cured deli meats on average have less than half a milligram of nitrates per 100 grams of meat.

Hot dogs. These are among the most processed sources of meat on the market. The average hot dog has about 9 milligrams of nitrates in a 100-gram serving.

Foods High in Nitrates to Explore

Some vegetables naturally contain nitrates, including:

These four foods are rich in natural nitrates:

Spinach. It is not just a great addition to salads but also a great source of natural dietary nitrates. A 100-gram serving of spinach has about 741 milligrams, although the exact amount varies depending on growing conditions.

Broccoli. Depending on its growing conditions, broccoli has about 40 milligrams per 100-gram serving.

Lettuce. Lettuce in salad mix has about 82 milligrams per 100-gram serving.

Carrots. Leafy vegetables aren’t the only source of natural nitrates. If you’re looking for a slightly earthier alternative, carrots have about 0. 1 milligrams of nitrates per 100 grams.

Nitrates are molecules naturally found in air, soil, water, and some foods. Green vegetables (like broccoli, lettuce, and spinach) and root vegetables (like carrots and beetroot) are natural places to find them. But nitrates are also added to some foods, especially cured meats, such as deli meat and bacon. There are nitrates in vegetables that are good for your heart, but the ones that are added to cured meats can make you more likely to get cancer.

How to Smoke Pulled Pork Overnight in a Pellet Grill

FAQ

Does pork contain nitrates?

Another example is saltpetre – a naturally occurring nitrate sometimes used to cure pork. During the curing process, most of the nitrate in saltpetre converts into nitrite. It’s actually the nitrites that act as a preservative – not nitrates. They also give the meat its rosy appearance.

What meats are high in nitrates?

Cured or processed meats — bacon, sausage, hot dogs, and ham, as well as deli meats such as chicken, turkey, roast beef, and salami — often contain added nitrates and nitrites. These compounds prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, add a salty flavor, and make the meat appear red or pink.

Does barbecue have nitrates?

Barbecue food is often ripe with nitrates and nitrites. These compounds help keep harmful bacteria from growing, but they also trigger headaches in some people, possibly because the nitrates and nitrites cause blood vessels to widen or dilate. Avoiding eating too much processed meats might help lessen your headaches.

What meat has the least nitrates?

Ham. A 100-gram serving of cured ham has a little less than 1 milligram of nitrates. This is the source of the iconic pink color of cured hams.

Which meat has the highest nitrates?

Of these, the following have the highest levels of nitrates: Ham. A 100-gram serving of cured ham has a little less than 1 milligram of nitrates. This is the source of the iconic pink color of cured hams. Bacon. A 100-gram serving of bacon has 5.5 milligrams of nitrates. Deli meat.

Why is pork not recommended to eat?

This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.

What foods contain nitrates?

Nitrates are molecules naturally found in air, soil, water, and some foods. These foods they are naturally found in are green vegetables (such as lettuce, spinach, and broccoli) as well as root vegetables (such as carrots and beetroot). But nitrates are also added to some foods, especially cured meats, such as deli meat and bacon.

Can you freeze pulled pork?

The pulled pork must be refrigerated and is stamped with a Use By/Freeze By date that is about a month from the time you purchase the product. You can freeze the pork and it should be good for at least 6 months with no loss of product quality. If you do freeze the pork then I you can heat it straight from frozen by either:

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