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Instant Pot Pulled Pork on a bun with slaw and fries in a basket.
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4.48 from 61 votes

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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. 
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Additional Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Author: Rachel Gurk

Ingredients

For the Rub:

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.

Video

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.

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

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