Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Instant Pot pulled pork is here to change your life. This recipe is so easy and quick you’ll barely have time to throw on an apron and pretend you’ve been cooking all day. We’re talking tender, juicy pork that tastes like it’s been slow-cooking in Grandma’s backyard smoker for 12 hours, but which really only took you 40 minutes. Magic? Nope! It’s just your Instant Pot flexing its pressure and heat at your stove and oven. You’ll feel like a barbecue pitmaster, but without the pit or the mastery.

Put the pork, seasonings and liquid into your pressure cooker, cook them for less than an hour, then shred the meat. Toss it with your favorite barbecue sauce and you’ll have a dish that’s perfect for game-day potlucks, random Tuesdays or impressing your in-laws. And yes, you can pretend it’s your secret family recipe that’s been passed down for generations—I won’t tell.

What’s the best cut of meat for Instant Pot pulled pork?

The gold standard cut of pork for pulled pork is a boneless pork shoulder or pork butt. This cut is marbled with fat and connective tissue that breaks down into juicy deliciousness when cooked under pressure. As a bonus, it’s usually budget-friendly, so you can feed a crowd without going broke.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients

• Dry rub: Create a dry rub with brown sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Use light or dark brown sugar, but dark brown sugar has a deeper molasses taste.
• Canola oil: Browning meat in a bit of fat helps give it caramelized edges and adds flavor. Feel free to use any neutral cooking oil instead.
• Pork shoulder: Boneless pork shoulder is easier to cut into chunks that will fit into your Instant Pot, but bone-in shoulder will be cheaper.
• Chicken broth: Store-bought chicken broth or homemade broth act as a braising liquid to cook the pork. It’s what makes the pulled pork tender and juicy.
• Barbecue sauce: Whether you prefer Kansas City-style or Memphis-style, sweet or spicy, or smokey or mustard-based, barbecue sauce is essential as part of the braising liquid and for tossing with the pulled pork before serving.
• Cider vinegar: Cider vinegar adds just enough zip to the sauce.
• Liquid smoke: This shortcut makes your Instant Pot pulled pork taste like it just came out of the backyard smoker. If your barbecue sauce is extra smoky, leave this out.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the spice mixture

In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard, salt and pepper. Season the pork chunks with the spice mixture.

Step 2: Brown the pork

Pour the oil into a 6 or 8-quart electric pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot) and set it to saute. In batches, brown the pork on all sides.

Step 3: Cook the pork

Add all the pork back to the pressure cooker, then stir in the chicken broth, half of the barbecue sauce, the vinegar and liquid smoke. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and set the toggle to sealing. Cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes, then carefully flip the toggle to venting.

Step 4: Shred and serve

Once the venting is complete, carefully remove the lid. Use two forks or tongs to shred the pork. Discard the excess cooking liquid. Stir in the remaining barbecue sauce.

JONATHAN MELENDEZ FOR TASTE OF HOME

How to Use Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Use this quick and easy pork in any pulled pork recipe. Pile it on soft buns for classic pulled pork sandwiches, make pork tacos with mango salsa or throw it on a baked potato for the ultimate comfort food. Replace the chicken in this barbecue chicken pizza recipe, or make a pulled pork mac and cheese. You really can’t go wrong here.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Variations

• Slow-roast it in the oven: Roast the pork in a Dutch oven at 300°F for four to five hours. When it’s fork-tender, shred, sauce and serve it.
• Cook it even slower: Set it and forget it! Make slow-cooker roast pork for sandwiches and more.

How to Store Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Let the pork cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Can you freeze Instant Pot pulled pork?

To freeze Instant Pot pulled pork, portion it into meal-sized servings for easy weeknight dinners. You can also store larger portions in freezer-safe bags. Pulled pork can be frozen for up to three months. Defrost the meat in the fridge overnight before reheating it.

How do you reheat Instant Pot pulled pork?

Reheat pulled pork in the microwave, on the stovetop or in the oven. Add a splash of barbecue sauce or broth to keep it moist.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Tips

JONATHAN MELENDEZ FOR TASTE OF HOME

How much Instant Pot pulled pork should you make per person?

Plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person. If you’re feeding a crowd, double the recipe. Since it cooks relatively quickly, you can easily do two or three separate batches depending on the size of your pressure cooker.

What can you serve with Instant Pot pulled pork?

Instant Pot pulled pork goes well with all the barbecue staples, including crunchy coleslaw recipes, potato salads, baked beans or cornbread. For a lighter option, keep things simple with seasonal roasted veggies and pulled pork on a bed of rice.