Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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Sometimes it’s hard to write a whole bunch of words about a recipe. I just asked my kids what I should write about this pulled pork. My little man, N, who is 6, said, “Write pulled pork is gross!”

Thanks a lot, kid. 

I feel like almost everyone else likes pulled pork though. I love pulled pork for parties, for giving to families in need of a helping hand, or for a good weeknight dinner that will probably feed us for three nights.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Why use an Instant Pot pressure cooker to make pulled pork? If I had to choose between slow cooker pulled pork and Instant Pot pulled pork, I think my Instant Pot would win. Here’s why:

It’s faster. Instant Pot pulled pork is ready in less than an hour and a half. Even if you cook it on high in the slow cooker, you need at least four hours. That being said, sometimes a slow cooked meal fits into your schedule better. It’s so nice to start the meal in the morning and it’s ready to eat at dinner time.

It has better texture. Sometimes pork that’s been cooked for hours and hours seems kind of mushy or even kind of stringy. I don’t know, I do love my mango bourbon slow cooker pulled pork so maybe it’s just my current infatuation with my Instant Pot that makes me say that.

What kind of pork should I use for pulled pork?

Okay, here’s the thing. IT’S UP TO YOU! Here are the options:

Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt

This is the classic choice and the best choice. They are a little bit different, but there’s a good chance that you’re going to find one or the other at your grocery store, not both. Either one will work great for this recipe. I always use pork shoulder or pork butt when I’m using my smoker to make pulled pork, or when I’m serving a crowd. It really is the best and tastiest choice. 

Pork Loin

Pork loin is the next most common choice. Pork loin is more lean; there is less fat marbling. It will be slightly more dry, but it is a lower calorie option. It will still pull apart just fine, but might not fall apart quite as easily as a pork shoulder or pork butt will. A pork loin is usually my go-to when I’m only serving my family. I love to make a pork loin roast in my Instant Pot, too.

Pork Tenderloin

The third option is a pork tenderloin. I wouldn’t really consider or recommend a pork tenderloin for pulled pork, but it’s your kitchen! It’s a more expensive cut and shines on its own (try this spice rubbed pork tenderloin, it is amazing!).

Recipe Variations

• Switch up the BBQ sauce. You can use any type of barbecue sauce you like (I recommend homemade BBQ sauce or cherry chipotle BBQ sauce). You can use the spice mixture I outline in this recipe, or a BBQ rub, or your favorite rub.
• Onions or no onions. You can put the onions in for added flavor, or you can leave them out. You can mix the cooked onions into the pulled pork after cooking, or you can discard them.
• Swap out broth. You can swap out the broth for Dr. Pepper or root beer if that’s your thing. 
• Try pork carnitas. I also love Instant Pot pork carnitas, which is the popular Mexican version of pulled pork.

Storage

Refrigerate: It seems like there is always pulled pork left over. It makes a lot! Store leftovers in a covered container in your fridge for three to four days.

Freeze: Additionally, this recipe freezes great and will be just fine in your freezer for up to a couple of months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge for best results. It’s perfect for another dinner on a busy night!

Reheat: Reheat pulled pork in a saucepan or skillet on the stove, or smaller portions in your microwave.

more ways to serve pulled pork

Think beyond the bun! There are lots of delicious ways to use leftover pulled pork. Here are a few ideas:

• Make pulled pork nachos (similar to these BBQ chicken nachos) or pulled pork quesadillas.
• Wrap the pork in a tortilla along with avocado (or guacamole!), onions, and shredded lettuce.
• Make lettuce wraps with the pork. Top with shredded carrots and crispy wonton strips.
• Add pulled pork to prepared rice and black beans for an easy main dish.
• Use pulled pork as a topping for pizza. Add it to your homemade crust, with BBQ sauce and your choice of shredded cheese (mozzarella, sharp cheddar, pretty much anything goes).
• Make a main course salad topped with homemade ranch dressing or this sweet BBQ salad dressing with lime. So good!
• Add it to BBQ chicken burrito bowls (instead of the chicken).

Recipe

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

4.48 from 61 votes

By Rachel Gurk

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Additional Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6

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Instant Pot pulled pork is going to become your new favorite way to achieve perfectly cooked pulled pork in an hour and a half start to finish. 

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

For the Rub:

• ▢ 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• ▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ▢ 2 teaspoons paprika
• ▢ 2 teaspoons chili powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon onion powder

For the Pork:

• ▢ 3 pounds pork shoulder (preferred) or pork loin
• ▢ 1 cup low sodium chicken or beef broth
• ▢ ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ▢ 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• ▢ 2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
• ▢ one large yellow onion, cut into ½ -inch thick slices, keeping rings intact

Instructions 

• Mix rub ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground mustard, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Cut pork into three or four equally-sized pieces. Rub all over with spice mixture (see note).
  3 pounds pork shoulder (preferred) or pork loin
• In the insert of your Instant Pot or pressure cooker, whisk together broth, vinegar, liquid smoke, and 1 cup of BBQ sauce.
  1 cup low sodium chicken or beef broth, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, 2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
• Place onions carefully into liquid mixture. Set pork on top of onions.
  one large yellow onion, cut into ½ -inch thick slices, keeping rings intact
• Turn valve to seal and set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook ( or manual, HIgh Pressure depending on your model). Set time for 60 minutes.
• When finished cooking, let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes (just leave it alone, don’t vent the pressure).
• After 10 minutes, carefully vent any remaining pressure. Remove pork from liquid mixture and use two forks to shred. Add cooking liquid as desired. Stir in remaining 1 cup (or less) of BBQ sauce to achieve desired sauciness.
• Enjoy immediately, or discard remaining liquid from the Instant Pot and return pork to Instant Pot on warm setting, to keep pork warm until ready to serve.

Notes

• Browning the pork: If desired for additional flavor, you can use the Sauté function of the Instant Pot to brown the pork in a small amount of oil before pressure cooking it. 
• Onions: You can put the onions in for added flavor, or you can leave them out. You can mix the cooked onions into the pulled pork after cooking, or you can discard them.
• Freezing instructions: This recipe freezes great and will keep in an airtight container in your freezer for 2 to 3 months.
• Broth alternatives: You can swap out the broth for Dr. Pepper or root beer if that’s your thing. 
• Nutrition note: Nutrition information does not include buns. Reduce sodium by using no-salt-added broth, and homemade barbecue sauce.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 399kcal, Carbohydrates: 44g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 93mg, Sodium: 1886mg, Potassium: 767mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 36g, Vitamin A: 473IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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