Instant Pot Pulled Pork

A tender, juicy pulled pork recipe that doesn’t require hours to prepare! This Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe will impress your friends and family without the time and effort required by traditional pulled pork recipes!

 

There is a lot of history and traditions associated with pulled pork recipes. Some will argue for cooking in a pit dug into the ground versus their favorite brand of smoker. Others will debate on the best cut of pork to create that juicy, tender flavor. What we’re really seeking is the tastiest recipe, right? How about a recipe that takes a fraction of the time and effort normally associated with pulled pork recipes?

This Instant Pot Pulled Pork only requires 10 minutes of prep time and 70 minutes of cook time, but will still leave you with tender, flavorful pulled pork. 

Aside from the amazing flavor of pulled pork, there are many more reasons to try this recipe. This dish will provide several servings of pulled pork. This works great with meal planning. You can strategically make this for separate meals or reheat the leftovers for a BBQ sandwich or BBQ nachos.

It is a great potluck dish that, unlike most pulled pork recipes, won’t require a significant amount of hands-on effort while cooking. It is also a budget-friendly dish as it doesn’t require a lot of ingredients and the pulled pork can be used for several meals throughout the week. 

What You Will Love About this Recipe

• EASY – This recipe requires only 10 minutes of prep time before cooking in the instant pot and requires little hands-on time once it has started cooking.
• GREAT FOR MEAL PLANNING – A perfect meal planning recipe. This recipe will provide enough servings for multiple meals. 
• POTLUCK DISH– A low stress potluck dish that can be prepared with minimal effort and be used for BBQ sandwiches, nachos, etc. 
• INEXPENSIVE – Minimal ingredients required and this one recipe will provide enough meat for multiple meals.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients

As always, this is a quick overview of the ingredients needed to make Instant Pot Pulled Pork. For the complete, printable recipe scroll down.

• Brown sugar: Adds flavor as part of the rub. Replace with brown sugar monk fruit if you are low-carb.
• Spices: (smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cumin)
• Boneless pork roast: A pork butt or roast will work great for this recipe. 
• Avocado oil: We prefer avocado oil but another neutral oil would work
• Barbecue sauce: BBQ sauce of your preference. We enjoy Stubb’s or G. Hughes Sugar Free BBQ sauce (low-carb).
• Apple cider vinegar: Essential for that flavor pulled pork is known for
• Beef broth: Adds flavor and helps keep the meat tender
• Buns: Use you preference, including gluten-free or low-carb options. Slider buns turn this into a great appetizer. If you don’t want to use a bun, this pulled pork is amazing on a baked potato as well.

Which Cut of Pork is Best for Instant Pot Pulled Pork

We used a pork roast for this recipe as it provides a larger amount of meat and has less fat than a pork butt. We’ve broken down the difference between the pork cuts below: 

• Pork Butt/Pork Shoulder: Best at withstanding hours of cooking due to the amount of fat and connective tissue. It has more fat than a pork roast. 
• Pork Roast: Large cut than a pork butt with slightly less fat. Both a pork butt and pork roast work well for pulled pork recipes. 
• Pork Loin: Longer, thicker cut than a pork tenderloin. It has more fat than a tenderloin but less than a butt or roast. We don’t recommend this cut for pulled pork as it will not provide the juicy, tender pulled pork flavor that pulled pork is known for. 
• Pork Tenderloin: The leanest cut of the 4 cuts listed. We don’t recommend it for pulled pork as it will not provide the juicy, tender pulled pork flavor that pulled pork is known for. 

How to Make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot 

In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need an Instant Pot. Follow the guide below to make the best pulled pork in an instant pot:

Season the Pork

In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cumin. Set aside. Toss the pork pieces with the seasoning mixture until evenly coated. 

Sear the pork

Heat the oil in the pressure cooker on high using the sauté setting. Brown the pork for 3-4 minutes, flipping the pieces 2 or 3 times (you may have to do this in batches), then set aside on a plate. Meanwhile, combine 1 ¼ cup barbecue sauce, the apple cider vinegar, and ½ cup beef broth in a bowl and set aside. 

Deglaze the pot

After the pork is done browning and removed from the Instant Pot, add the remaining ½ cup of the broth to the pot and deglaze, scraping up the browned bits. 

Pressure-cook the Pork

Add the pork and barbecue sauce mixture to the Instant Pot, close the lid, and pressure cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. My Instant Pot took about 6 minutes to come to full pressure.  Allow for a 10-minute natural release. 

Shred Pork

Remove the meat from the Instant Pot, shred it with two forks, and place in a large bowl. Pour in 1 cup of the BBQ sauce and up to 1 cup of the liquid left in the bottom of the pot (depends on how saucy you like your pulled pork).

What to Serve with Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is great to serve on buns and with coleslaw or shredded cabbage! We also love to make BBQ nachos with pulled pork. 

• Instant Pot Mac and Cheese: You’ll love this as a side for your sandwich or base for a pulled pork bowl! This Cheesy Cauliflower Casserole makes a great low-carb substitute, too.
• Sweet Potato and White Cheddar Corn Muffins: These the perfect combo of sweet and savory! This easy cornbread recipe is perfect for pairing with soups!
• Keto Bacon Wrapped Cabbage: A tasty low carb side dish that can be grilled or baked! Each wedge contains about 3 net carbs and is loaded with flavor!
• Rosemary Garlic Sweet Potato Wedges: Rosemary Garlic Sweet Potato Wedges are packed with flavor and baked until crisp on the outside and tender on the inside!
• Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes: These Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes require a few basic ingredients and no prep for a super easy, creamy side dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

• Refrigerator Storage– Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Freezer Storage– This recipe can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container. This recipe freezes really well!
• Reheating Instructions– Reheat this recipe in the microwave in 30 second increments until reheated to your desired level. 

Tips and Tricks

• If you don’t want a super saucy finished product, just toss the shredded pork in the 1 cup bbq sauce and don’t use any of the liquid remaining in the Instant Pot. 
• Toast your buns for the tastiest BBQ sandwiches.
• For the most tender and flavorful pulled pork, use a pork roast or pork butt. 

Instant Pot Pulled Pork FAQ