This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the full proof way to achieve flavorful, tender pulled pork in about one hour! It’s so easy to make and it’s great for meal prep!

Instant pot pulled pork in a white bowl

My family loves pulled pork, so I make it often and incorporate it into a variety of recipes.

My slow cooker pulled pork and this Hawaiian pulled pork are delicious options, but both recipes take up to 8-10 hours to cook. This means that the pork needs to get cooking early in the morning so it’s ready for dinner.

I’m not always that organized, so that’s where my trusty Instant Pot comes in.

This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is incredibly tender after about one hour of cooking time, which means I can decide to make it any time of day.

I love that my pressure cooker gives me options for the days that I don’t always have my ducks in a row.

It’s always nice to have options. 🙂

Instant pot pulled pork shredded on a cutting board

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Pressure cooker pulled pork is tender, juicy and cooks up in a fraction of the time as traditional cooking methods.
  • This is the perfect meal prep dinner! The pork can be utilized in an abundance of recipes or it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • This recipe can be customized with your favorite braising liquid and seasonings.

Recipe ingredients

Instant pot pulled pork recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes:

  • Pork. Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the perfect cut for this recipe. The recipe calls for a 4 lb. roast, but it’s fine if it’s a bit smaller or larger.
  • Seasonings. I’ve used a simple seasoning blend of smoked paprika, brown sugar and cumin, but you can customize this recipe with what you have on hand or use your favorite store bought seasoning.
  • Liquid. A combination of apple cider vinegar and water is used for the pulled pork. The acid in the vinegar helps tenderize the pork and also adds a nice tangy flavor. The liquid can be substituted with your favorite liquid including apple cider, beer, chicken or vegetable stock.
  • Sauce. The pork is nice and flavorful all on its own, or you can toss it in my homemade bbq sauce or your favorite store bought brand.

How to cook pulled pork in the Instant Pot

This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe is incredibly easy to make and it requires minimal prep.

The pork butt is cut into pieces for faster cooking, seasoned with a simple rub, then browned and pressure cooked to tender, flavorful perfection.

Pro tip: For best results, do not skip the browning step as it creates a nice crust on the pork and adds incredible flavor. You may need to brown the pork in batches depending on its size.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make pulled pork in instant pot
  1. Combine the smoked paprika, sugar, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Quarter the pork and season on all sides with the spice mixture.
  3. Brown the pork on sauté mode for 2-3 minutes per side.
  4. Deglaze the pot with the apple cider vinegar and water, scraping up brown bits, and add the pork back to the pot.
  5. Cook at High Pressure for about one hour, then quick release the pressure (allow the pressure to release naturally if you prefer).
  6. Shred the pork and toss with a bit of the liquid from the pan to moisten or with your favorite bbq sauce.
Instant pot pulled pork in mixing bowl with bbq sauce

FAQs

What cut of pork is best to use for pulled pork?

The pork shoulder is the best cut of meat to use for pulled pork due to the high fat content and flavor. 

The pork shoulder roast is normally split in half — one half is the Boston butt and the other half is the picnic shoulder.  Either one is a great option for this recipe.

Is pulled pork better in the Instant Pot or Crock Pot?

The Instant Pot and Crock Pot are both fabulous options for cooking pulled pork, but when time is a factor, the Instant Pot is the sure winner.

Pork shoulder takes up 8 hours to become tender when cooked low and slow in the crock pot, so if you don’t get it going early in the day, it may not be ready for dinner.

It takes about one hour to cook in the Instant Pot however, which is a huge time saver. The Instant Pot also seals in flavor, which is permeated throughout the pork during the cooking time.

How long does it take to cook pork shoulder in the Instant Pot?

A 4lb. pork shoulder roast that’s been quartered will take about one hour to cook in the Instant Pot. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your roast.

Why is my pork shoulder in the Instant Pot tough?

If the pork shoulder is not tender after 60 minutes of cooking, it is not done yet. Continue cooking another 15-30 minutes or until tender enough to shred with a fork.

Instant Pot pulled pork with bbq sauce in a bowl

Serving suggestions

There are so many delicious ways to serve this tender Instant Pot pulled pork. See some of my favorite ways below.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: For best results, do not skip the browning step as it creates a nice crust on the pork and adds incredible flavor. You may need to brown the pork in batches depending on its size.
  • You can always skip the browning step, but I recommend it as it adds a nice crust on the pork as well as more flavor.
  • The vinegar and water may be replaced with the liquid your choice. Beer, apple cider or chicken and veggie stock are all great options.
  • This is a great meal prep recipe!  The pork will keep for up to 3 days in an air tight container in the fridge or it may be frozen for up to 3 months.
Instant Pot pulled pork in a bun with broccoli slaw

More Instant Pot recipes you’ll love:

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Instant pot pulled pork in a white bowl

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the full proof way to achieve tender, flavorful pulled pork in about one hour! It's so easy to make and it's great for meal prep!
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Ingredients

  • 4 lbs. pork shoulder roast cut into 4 large pieces and trimmed of excess fat*
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar sub with coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar see notes for substitutions
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Barbecue sauce or your favorite sauce for serving

Instructions 

  • Place the smoked paprika, brown sugar, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl and stir to combine, then season the pork with the spice rub on all sides.
    4 lbs. pork shoulder roast, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Press the Sauté button on the Instant Pot. Add the olive oil, then once heated add the pork. Brown on each side for 1-2 minutes, working if batches if necessary. Remove the pork.
    2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Add the apple cider vinegar and water to the Instant Pot and deglaze the bottom of the pot.
    1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water
  • Add the pork back to the pot and secure the lid. Set to High Pressure for 1 hour (note — it will take 15 minutes or so for the Instant Pot to come to pressure). When the pork has cooked for 1 hour, quick release the pressure and remove the lid when safe to do so (you may allow the pressure to release naturally if you prefer). If the pork is not tender, cook for another 15-30 minutes until tender enough to shred with a fork.
  • Remove the pork using a slotted spoon and place on a cutting board. Shred with a fork and place in a bowl, discarding any excess fat. Toss with the desired amount of heated barbecue sauce if desired and enjoy!
    Barbecue sauce or your favorite sauce

Notes

  • Pro tip: For best results, do not skip the browning step as it creates a nice crust on the pork and adds incredible flavor. You may need to brown the pork in batches depending on its size.
  • You can always skip the browning step, but I recommend it as it adds a nice crust on the pork as well as more flavor.
  • The vinegar and water may be replaced with the liquid your choice. Beer, apple cider or chicken and veggie stock are all great options.
  • This is a great meal prep recipe!  The pork will keep for up to 3 days in an air tight container in the fridge or it may be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 380kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 45g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 152mg, Sodium: 757mg, Potassium: 811mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 445IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 37mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This post was originally published in January 2019. The photos have been updated to include step by step photos and the post has been modified to include more recipe information.

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