My pressure cooker pulled pork is full of tasty barbecue flavor! Tender, juicy, and ready so much quicker than a slow cooker, this recipe is ideal for weeknight dinner and has quickly become my family’s new favorite.
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This Pulled Pork Pressure Cooker Meal is Perfect for Busy Nights
Does anyone else feel like they’re always on the hunt for weeknight dinner ideas?
With two kids under 10, my husband and I always have someplace to be. Dance recitals, playdates, after-school sports… you name it, it’s probably been on our schedule at least once or twice.
With so much on our plates, I sometimes don’t have time to figure out what actually to put on our plates when dinner rolls around. That’s where quick and easy recipes like this pressure cooker pulled pork come in!
All you need are 5 easy ingredients, about 15 minutes of prep time to load up the Instant Pot, and a little patience as it cooks.
And, if you love an easy pork recipe, try my Instant Pot pork chops, baked pork chops, air fryer pork loin, smothered pork chops, and air fryer pork chops recipes!
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
- Super easy to make
- Tender, juicy, and flavorful
- So versatile
- Perfect for potlucks or parties
- One pot = easy cleanup
Pulled Pork Recipe Instant Pot Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder Butt – boneless, fat trimmed, and cut into chunks
- Chicken Broth
- Barbecue Sauce – divided
- Olive Oil
- Famous Dave’s Rib Rub Seasoning
How to Make Pulled Pork in a Pressure Cooker
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: If you haven’t already, trim the extra fat from the pork butt and cut into large chunks. Then, rub the seasoning mixture all over the pieces until they’re evenly coated.
STEP TWO: Set your Instant Pot to Sauté to preheat. When hot, add the pork in batches and cook until they are browned on all sides. Set aside.
STEP THREE: Pour the chicken broth into your IP to deglaze it. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits and place the browned pork back into the pot. Add 1 cup of barbecue sauce.
STEP FOUR: Close the IP lid, seal the vent, and cook on manual High pressure for 40 minutes. When it’s done, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes, then do a quick release.
STEP FIVE: Carefully transfer the cooking liquid to a medium bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork directly in the IP, then place it into a large bowl. Stir in the rest of the barbecue sauce until the meat is evenly coated. Serve your Instant Pot pulled pork immediately. Enjoy!
How to Shred Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
I find the best way to shred pork is to use two forks to pull the meat apart into shreds. I typically use this method as it doesn’t require any special equipment!
I also recently bought these meat shredder claws and it has worked wonders to shred the pork.
Pulled Pork Pressure Cooker Tips
- Make sure to brown the pork butt in batches — it helps them brown evenly, and I find it has an overall better flavor! Crowding your IP will keep the meat from browning properly, which is crucial for getting a better depth of flavor.
- Be generous with your dry rub. You want every piece of pork to be coated on all sides. The rub brings out the natural flavors in the meat and makes it taste even better, thanks to paprika, black pepper, garlic and onion powder, chili powder, and a touch of cayenne!
- Don’t skip the deglazing step! Those stuck-on brown bits are totally packed with rich, savory flavor and are a key component of this pulled pork recipe.
- The natural release is also very important. Allowing a 15-minute natural pressure release helps keep the meat as tender and juicy as possible. A sudden drop in pressure can make your pork tough.
Pulled Pork in Instant Pot Variations
- Amp up the heat and add a few extra teaspoons of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to your dry rub. I love spicy food in my house, so I make this variation quite a bit!
- Put a Hawaiian twist on the pork by replacing the chicken broth with pineapple juice and a bit of crushed pineapple. Serve on Hawaiian slider buns, and you’ll feel like you’re on vacation.
- Or, make Mexican-inspired pulled pork by replacing the barbecue sauce with salsa and adding a bit of cumin and oregano to the dry rub.
- I’ve also made Asian pulled pork by simply replacing the barbecue sauce with a combination of hoisin and soy sauce. I also add some fresh ginger and minced garlic to the dry rub… so tasty.
How to Serve Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
I like to serve pulled pork on buns for sandwiches or on top of a hearty helping of mashed potatoes. I’ve also been known to serve it over mac and cheese!
Nachos and tacos (such a welcome addition to this sweet potato and black bean tacos recipe) are another option, and pulled pork stuffed baked potatoes are another one of my family’s favorites.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Storage Instructions
Allow your IP pulled pork to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
I also freeze it for longer storage — place in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat, use your microwave or stovetop. Make sure to let the pork thaw in the fridge overnight first if reheating from frozen.
Pulled Pork in Pressure Cooker FAQs
What is the best kind of pork for pulled pork?
The best kind of pork for pulled pork is pork shoulder. Also called pork butt or Boston butt, it has the perfect balance of fat and connective tissue, which means it breaks down easily when cooked.
This cut will give you the most tender, flavorful, and juicy results!
Can you overcook pulled pork in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can overcook pulled pork in a pressure cooker. When you leave it in for too long, the meat will become dry and stringy instead of tender and juicy.
I’ve tested this recipe numerous times to make sure the pork stays tender and doesn’t overcook, so follow the instructions on the recipe card below, and please remember to use that natural pressure release!
Is pulled pork better in a slow cooker or a pressure cooker?
Pulled pork can come out great in both a slow cooker and a pressure cooker (and even in the oven). A slow cooker will cook your pork low and slow until tender, and a pressure cooker will deliver similar results much faster.
It’s honestly all about personal preference and how much time you have!
More Instant Pot Dinner Recipes
- Instant Pot London Broil
- Instant Pot Carrots
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Pork Loin
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
Pulled Pork in Instant Pot Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder butt fat trimmed and cut into chunks
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups barbecue sauce divided, plus extra for serving
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Famous Dave’s rib rub seasoning
Instructions
- Trim any extra fat from the boneless pork butt and cut it into large chunks.
- Rub this mixture all over the pork pieces until they’re coated.
- Turn on your Instant Pot and select the sauté mode. Once it’s preheated, add the pork pieces in batches. Make sure they’re not too close together so they can brown properly. Cook them until they are browned on all sides and then set them aside.
- Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any brown bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pot.
- Put the browned pork back into the pot and then pour the 1 cup of barbecue sauce into the pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid, making sure the vent is set to sealing and then set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 40 minutes.
- Once it's done pressure cooking, let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes, then do a quick release to release any remaining pressure.
- Carefully open the lid and transfer the cooking liquid to a medium bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork roast into small pieces and then put the shredded pork back into a large bowl.
- Stir in an additional cup of barbecue sauce until everything's coated evenly.
- Serve and enjoy!
