Instant pot pulled pork

Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe is the most delicious BBQ pulled pork! The pork shreds are incredibly soft, and it comes with a delicious pulled pork rub that is cooked in an amazing sauce. It’s great for pulled pork sandwiches!

Pulled pork is something that you often see on barbecue contests where the participants are willing to go to extreme lengths to cook and prepare using various methods. The majority of the time, these techniques call for huge equipment, plenty of room (outdoor space) and a lot of effort and time to prepare. While I’m not saying that you shouldn’t there’s a chance to savor the delicious pork that’s been prepared this manner, but it’s an experience that’s you’ll not forget. A lot of the top real BBQ restaurants will begin making their pulled pork ahead of time, and once the pork is ready for eating crowds will gather. When these establishments are out of food for the day, they’re gone until the next time.

In the past couple of years, we’ve seen the introduction of electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot, and people are in awe of these gadgets! There’s a reason behind this – they provide a myriad of options for cooking amazing food. Pulled pork is at the top of my list of top foods that can be made using the Instant Pot. From beginning to end the process can be completed in less than two hours. No kidding!

This recipe is especially delicious. simple and quick pulled pork recipe since the Instant Pot can make the tenderest pulled pork in a short time. It’s amazing how simple to shred the meat after it pressure cooks! This is also true for these instant pot shredded beef recipes, one of our top Instant Pot recipes.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Overview

Why you’ll be awestruck by it: The Instant Pot can be the quickest method to cook delicious pulled pork.

What’s the time frame: An hour and a half from start to finish 

The equipment you’ll need: Instant Pot, small bowl, cutting knife sharp and measurement utensils

Serves: 8 (depends on the amount you put on each bun)

WHAT KIND OF MEAT CUT USING TO MAKE INSTANT POT PULLED PORK

Pork Loin – For a pork loin weighing between 4 and 5 pounds, cook it for 40 minutes at high pressure, then let the pressure go off in a natural way for about 15 mins.

Pork Shoulder – For a shoulder of pork that weighs 4 to 5 pounds or pork butt, cook it for one hour at high pressure, then let the pressure go down naturally for about 15 minutes.

Pork Tenderloin – I don’t recommend these cuts, because it will be too dry. But, they’re healthier and cooks faster

I like the pork shoulder because it is a bit more fat in it. Pork shoulder is also an affordable cut of meat, that is great for when you have to feed an entire crowd. But, any pork that can be used to braise would be an ideal fit to make this dish.

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR INSTANT POT PULLED PORK

Pork Shoulder: This meat is affordable and perfect to serve a large crowd. After it’s shredded, you can make sandwiches, salads, wraps and much more.

Olive Oil

Beef Broth: No more thinking about how much water you need to put in the Instant Pot to cook pork. Instead, we’re using a flavorful beef broth in place. It gives a rich flavor to the pork. In order to make a 6 quart Instant Pot it requires at minimum 1 Cup of liquid.

Tomato Sauce

Worcestershire

Apple Cider Vinegar

Maple Syrup

• Pork Rub

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Smoked paprika

Salt

Black pepper

This makes up rich and smoky spices for Instant Pot pulled pork.

• Sauce Spices

Smoked paprika

Chili powder

Dry mustard

Garlic powder

Cayenne pepper

Salt

Black pepper

• BBQ sauce

Jim Beam BBQ Sauce, It’s a great sauce for instant pot pulled pork. It’s sweet, spicy, smoky and contains an energizing dose of Kentucky Bourbon, which you’ll enjoy when you serve it with cooked pork shoulder. This recipe is just enough for simmering along with it the Instant Pot pork shoulder, and extra for barbecue sandwiches.

Substitutions

If you’ve got another BBQ rub seasoning or your favorite barbecue sauce, you are welcome to use them instead. There is no judgment here.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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This dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, meal prep, outdoor BBQs, potlucks, and evening dinners. This is a really inexpensive meal that tastes fantastic, thanks to the use of simple ingredients.

prep time

10 mins

cooking time

1 Hour

servings

8

total time

1 Hour 10 mins

Equipment

• Instant Pot – 6 Quart

• Cutting Board

• Slotted Spoon

• Mixing Bowl Set

Ingredients

• FOR THE PORK:

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

• 1 tablespoon onion powder

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 4 to 5 pounds boneless pork loin or pork shoulder/butt*, cut into 3 evenly sized chunks

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 (15-ounce) can low sodium beef broth or chicken broth, divided

• 1 yellow small onion chopped

• FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup

• 2 tablespoons molasses

• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1

Let’s start - Prep

Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Rub it all over the pork's exterior.

2

Next step

Add the oil and set your instant pot to the saute option. Once the oil is hot, add the pork pieces one by one and brown on two sides (take about 2 minutes to brown each cut). Remove the pork piece to the plate and repeat.

3

And now – PRESSURE COOK

Scrape up any remaining bits of food and seasoning with a wooden spoon. Add the broth and onion then return the pork to the instant pot inner. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour (pork shoulder and butt) or for about 40 minutes for pork loin.

4

Then

Once the cooking time has passed, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes, then release manually the remaining pressure. Open the instant pot carefully and take the pork to a large bowl, Scraped out the onions using a slotted spoon and added to the bowl with the pork. Pour all except 1 cup of the cooking liquids should be carefully poured into an extra-large measuring cup or dish with a spout. Keep the additional fluids on hand in case you need it.

5

Prep Barbeque Sauce

Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode. Add in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, syrup, molasses, chili powder, black pepper, salt, mustard, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Cover the Instant Pot loosely with the lid, leaving some space for steam to escape. Allow thickening for about 5 minutes, whisking every few minutes.

6

Final – SERVE

When the pork is cold enough to handle, shred it with two forks or your fingers. In the saucepan, add the shredded pork, onions, and any liquids to the bottom of the bowl. If the sauce is too thick to readily coat the pork, add more cooking liquids until the meat is well-coated in the sauce. Season to taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve on buns.

Notes

• Cutting the pork shoulder into several pieces, ensures the meat cooks fast in the instant pot.
• Stuffed into tacos or pitas or served over rice or mashed potatoes, or stacked on buns.
• This sauce is inspired by my Homemade Barbecue Sauce. If you don't want to make my own barbecue sauce, shred the pork and combine it with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of your preferred barbecue sauce.