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
- 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.
I used sriracha as my hot sauce and it was amazing!!! I cooked it 44 min but probably didn’t need the extra time. It tasted amazing and can’t wait to do it again!
Yum! I love sriracha! Glad you liked it 🙂
Our favorite!
I meant 5 stars! thanks for this
The BEST EVER on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls as Slider Appetizers!!!
I was making a recipe that needed shredded pork. I looked up Insta-pot Pulled Pork and this appeared with high star ratings. After looking at the ingredients, I decided to try this because I had everything on hand.
My family dropped by for a quick visit and I offered your BBQ pulled pork on Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.
We all agree that this has to be used at our next party for appetizers. Your recipe is just FABULOUS!
Hugs from Oregon/Hawaii
My second time making this and it’s a hit again! And it smells soooo good! Thank you!
Amazing EVERY SINGLE TIME!
This is a great recipe . This is the first time I’ve ever cooked a pork butt. The taste is great and just pull apart delicious right out of the pot. I am very appreciative of this recipe
This is a great recipe. Turned out fantastic
I decided to try this after being warned that the pork loin would come out too dry. It was SOOO good. I had to leave it on warm while I ran an errand and shredded later. I did add some of the juice from the pot and it came out so delicious. Thanks so much.
HOLY THESE WERE AMAZINGGGG!!!
If I knew how to post a pic of the finished gem on here I would. I posted on reddit and a link to this recipe.
It was so good that my family of 2 others threw their whacky keto diet to the wind and ate all the leftovers!!
I am making this for a 26 person progressive dinner tomorrow as our house is responsible for the main dish and I will be using this.
Can I ask.. cuz I want this to be even better tomorrow. What type of barbeque sauce and (hot sauce) YOU prefer with this?
Also I have 3 IPs… so when I double this recipe how long should I set the cook time to?
THANK YOU and if I dont hear from you.. GOD BLESS!!
I don’t know all the ins and outs of the keto diet, but this pulled pork tastes just as good on top of coleslaw, without a bun. That’s how I eat it. Yum!