Instant Pot Pulled Pork is seasoned to perfection, and mouthwateringly tender! Make this easy and super flavorful pulled pork using a pork loin roast and have your family's new favorite instant pot pork recipe on the table in an hour!
How Do You Make Pulled Pork?
Pulled pork is a very simple dish to make at home, and there are a few ways to make it even more quick and easy.
Pulled pork recipes start with basic seasonings that you probably already have at home. I like to use a mixture of brown sugar, salt, garlic and onion powder, paprika, pepper, and cumin.
Once you have seasoned your meat, you will mix up your wet ingredients. I prefer to use broth over water for added flavor. Use your favorite type of barbecue sauce, and then a bit of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar not only adds great flavor, but, the acid helps to tenderize the meat as it cooks!
After you have seasoned your meat, and mixed up your wet ingredients it's time to get cooking!
This recipe, in particular, is for the Instant Pot. If you don't have an instant pot, I highly recommend that you try out my Crockpot Bourbon Bacon Pulled Pork and you can find the recipe for that right HERE.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe:
As far as meat, I typically use a pork loin roast. You can also use a pork shoulder if that is your preference. A lot of people worry about a pork roast becoming tender enough. As long as you use the right method and ingredients, it turns out absolutely perfect every time!
My general method has always been to slow cook pulled pork, like in the recipe I linked to above. But, since I've become a huge fan of my instant pot, I wanted to try cooking it that way. Happy to say it turned out great!
If you have time you will add your rub to your cubed pork roast, seal it in a bag, and let it marinate for a good 30-60 minutes before cooking for maximum flavor. When I make pulled pork in my crockpot, I find that marinating isn't necessary because all of those flavors slow cook together for hours. However, for instant pot pulled pork, marinating really is the way to go.
Next, you will heat up your oil right in your pot, sear the meat in batches until browned on all sides. It won't need to be cooked through at that point.
Then, you will want to use a small amount of beef broth to deglaze the bottom of your pot. If you don't you may end up with that dreaded "burn" warning during cooking.
To deglaze, you'll simply pour the broth right into the bottom of the instant pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape all of those brown bits off. This also adds great flavor to continue seasoning your meat as it cooks.
After you deglaze simply add everything into your instant pot, close the lid and valve to sealing. Then, you will cook as directed below for 40 minutes. After your cooking time is up, allow the instant pot to natural release for 10 minutes, then you can quick release.
After your quick release, you are ready to shred your meat, and serve on soft hamburger buns, with your favorite toppings!
Remember if you are looking for the slow cooker method of making pulled pork you can find it HERE. I also happen to adore this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili!
Enjoy!
~Nichole
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Packed Brown Sugar
- 2 Teaspoons Paprika
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- ¼ Teaspoon Cayenne, Optional
- 3 Pound Boneless Pork Roast, Cut into 3-4 inch cubes
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- ⅓ Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Cups Barbecue Sauce, Divided
- 1 ¼ Cup Chicken or Beef Broth
- 1 Teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce, Optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together the brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, cumin, and cayenne.
- Season the cubed pork with the spice mixture and set aside.
- In a medium bowl whisk together the apple cider vinegar, one cup of the barbecue sauce, the hot pepper sauce if using, and one cup of the broth.
- Turn your instant pot to the saute setting. Add the olive oil and allow it to get hot.
- Add half of the cubed pork to the hot oil and saute for 5 minutes, turning to brown on all sides. Remove the browned pork to a plate and repeat with the remaining half of the cubed pork.
- Turn the instant pot off. Use the remaining ¼ cup of beef broth and a wooden spoon to deglaze (scrape the brown bits) from the bottom of the pot.
- Add all of the meat along with the barbecue sauce mixture to the instant pot.
- Close the lid and set to sealing.
- Cook on manual high pressure for 40 minutes. Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
- Remove the meat from the instant pot and shred. Stir in the remaining cup of bbq sauce and serve on buns as desired.
I have made this BBQ a million times now and it NEVER fails. This is and will always be my go to recipe for crowd pleasing BBQ.
One of my favorite "go to" recipes. I never have to worry that it will be a crowd pleaser. Marinating the cubed pork is a total game changer. The flavor is infused and every bite is delicious. I now use this method in other recipes where the meat ends up shredded to take the flavor up a notch.
Definitely one of my favorite dishes to make and everyone loves it!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!
I made it twice. The second time I followed the advice from the comments and simmered down the sauce. I regretted it because the sauce turned out to be too greasy. I wish I hadn’t added it to the pork and just used the barbecue sauce instead, just like in the recipe.
Excellent recipe for pulled pork. I'm making a second batch in the same day. Yummy 😋
Do you think this recipe will work well with chicken and
And beef?
This was so good! I will use this recipe from now on. Browning the meat made the perfect difference from my prior recipe.
Do you think this recipe will do well with chicken and
And beef?
This recipe was a definite hit in my home!!! I followed the directions to the T and it was great...after shredding it I put it in a large aluminum pan and smoked ii (indirect heat) on my Weber Grill using pecan wood soaked in water for maximum smoke!! IT WAS AMAZING!!! My husband said its the best he ever had...and he's had a lot!!!
This is my go to recipie for pulled pork! My wife really likes pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and your recipe is always a please. Happy wife happy life lol.
This was a hit! I took the advice of others and simmered the sauce down so it was thicker. I love being able to use the instant pot on a hot day, will definitely make this again!
@thesaltymarshmellow I love this recipe - have made it several times for my family. This weekend I want to make it for 10-12 people. How much more time should I cook it for if I use a 5-6 pound roast?? THANKS!!!
Awesome pulled pork recipe, taste like it was slow cooked for 10 hours. Only recipe we will use for now on
This turned out really great! Agree with others on removing the meat and sautéing the sauce to reduce. I will cut back or eliminate the apple cider vinegar next time. It makes it too tangy for our taste. Overall great recipe!
This was so good.
The first thing I've ever made in my new IP. And it certainly got me hooked