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!
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.
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.