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
Check out our video for this recipe below, and be sure to follow along on Facebook where we’re always sharing the best recipes!
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
- 1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
- 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne, Optional
- 3 Pound Boneless Pork Roast, Cut into 3-4 inch cubes
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Cups Barbecue Sauce, Divided
- 1 1/4 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 1/4 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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The best pulled pork..i sacre this recipe since i found it.My husband and i love it so much. So tasty,so delicios.The meat is so tender and will finish fast because of the instant pot.. over all. We love it??.. thanks a lot for this recipe??
OMG!! BEST PULLED PORK RECIPE EVER!!
MY ENTIRE FAMILY LOVED THIS, WHICH IS HARD TO DO! TO GET 4 KIDS TO LIKE THE SAME MEAL?!
C’MON MAN!! FOREVER IN YOUR DEBT!!
I love this recipe! Comes out perfect every time! I’m curious what you typically do with the leftover juices though. Have you ever tried using it for soup or anything?
I use the leftover juices and add it to the pork prior to refrigerating the leftovers. Keeps it super moist when reheating.
Making this for tonight’s dinner while watching Super Bowl! Just finished cooking smells wonderful!
Hi,
Just hope to confirm – I have a sister going into surgery tomorrow and hope to make dinner for the family the following day.
You used a pork loin roast (which is what I have) –
not a pork shoulder or pork butt or pork tenderloin?
Hoping to hear from you in time,
Sincerely,
N
Yes, your pork loin roast will be perfect 🙂
I made this tonight for supper. This is the first time I’ve used my instant pot I’m a fan forever now! This recipe was so easy and beyond delicious!
Could you shred this using a hand mixer?
Yes
ok, I totally googled a recipe for pulled pork loin pork and came across this one. I tried it out and it was the bomb!!!! My husband ate 2 huge sandwiches of it. And for us, it shredded just by stirring it. didn’t even need the hand mixer. Good luck!
This turned out just as good as crockpot pulled pork. I used a 3.3 pound Boston butt, and I didn’t cut the pieces up quite as small so I increased the cook time to 55 minutes. We loved it! It served 4 of us plus leftovers.
Hi! If we’re cooking for a large group, how long should we cook for a 6 lb roast? Thanks!
Loved making this recipe. It was quick and easy, as I am still learning how to use my new InstantPot. Loved the flavor of the meat before having to add more bbq sauce to it after it was done. I still like having that flavor during the cooking process, but will leave the extra out next time. Making it again tomorrow!
I followed the recipe exactly. It turned out great. My husband said it was perfect. My only comment is regarding the video. The video said to pressure cook for 60 minutes. The recipe said 40 minutes.