When I need dinner on the table without a lot of fuss, I turn to family favorites such as sesame noodles, chicken tetrazzini and this simple yet delicious pressure cooker pulled pork.
Pulled pork is a classic dish for good reason – it has minimal ingredients, plenty of rich flavor, and can be used in so many different ways. This Instant Pot pulled pork cooks in a fraction of the time when compared to slow cooker or smoker pulled pork, yet still tastes totally amazing!
How do you make Instant Pot pulled pork?
Start by cutting a piece of pork shoulder into 3-4 large chunks. Mix together a homemade spice blend to use on the pork. Heat a little oil in the Instant Pot, then brown the meat on all sides. You may need to work in batches. Coat the browned meat in the spice rub. Place chicken broth and BBQ sauce in the bottom of the pressure cooker, then whisk to combine the two. Place the pork back in the pot, then seal the pot. Cook the pork, then let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Manually release any pressure that’s left, then open the pot. Shred the meat with two forks. Add more BBQ sauce until you reach the desired flavor and consistency, then serve.
How long do you cook pork in the Instant Pot?
A tougher cut of pork such as pork shoulder will take 60 minutes to tenderize in the Instant Pot. Leaner cuts of meat, such as pork tenderloin, will take less time to cook. An average one pound pork tenderloin will cook in just 5-7 minutes. For any marbled cut of pork that you’d use for this particular recipe, you’ll want to plan on an hour.
What is the best cut of meat to use for pulled pork?
For the most delicious pulled pork you want to choose a cut of meat with some marbling for flavor, and to keep the pork from drying out. The best cut of meat for pulled pork is pork shoulder. You can choose bone-in or a boneless roast. Retaining moisture is not as much of a concern when making pulled pork in a pressure cooker; however, pork shoulder will still give you the best taste and texture. If you can’t find any pork shoulder, you can use pork country ribs with good results.
Tips for the perfect dish
Browning the meat adds a few minutes to the prep time, but it brings a lot of extra flavor to the pulled pork, so it’s worth it. Homemade spice rub is best, but you can use store bought in a pinch. Cutting the roast into a few larger pieces helps it to cook quickly and evenly. For an extra level of flavor, you can add up to a teaspoon of liquid smoke if you have it on hand. This recipe can also be made in a slow cooker. Coat the meat in spices and brown as directed, then cook for 8 hours on low with the broth and BBQ sauce. Shred the meat, add more BBQ sauce, then serve.
CAN YOU FREEZE PULLED PORK?
You can freeze pulled pork for up to 3 months. Store the cooked pork in either a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. The frozen pork should be put in the refrigerator to thaw the night before you plan to serve it. Reheat your pork in a pan on the stove over low heat until it’s warm. I serve this pressure cooker pork all the time on sandwiches, then we use any leftovers later in the week for other dishes such as pasta, salads and chili. It’s a must-try recipe!
More Instant Pot recipes to try
Easy Instant Pot Chili Instant Pot Chicken and Mushrooms Instant Pot Beef Stew Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Instant Pot Carnitas
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Video
