Instant Pot Pulled Pork uses steam pressure to cook the most juicy, fall-apart tender meat with a sweet and savory flavor. With just a few steps, set it and forget it, and start shredding in just over an hour.
Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
Our easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe is a fast and fuss-free way to prepare fall apart tender pulled pork, with all the flavor of its slow cooker pulled pork counterpart, but in a fraction of the time.
Pressure-cooked pulled pork recipes couldn’t be any less complicated – simply season and sear the pork roast, pour the tomato sauce mixture on top, then set the pressure cooker to “stew” mode, and in 60 minutes, the pork will pull apart!
Making pulled pork using the pressure cooking method significantly cuts cooking time compared to the crock pot process and creates all the moisture needed to produce soft and shreddable meat, which is ideal for pulling purposes.
Why We Love Pulled Pork Instant Pot Recipes
- Quick and easy to prepare in 10 minutes.
- Uses only 6 simple ingredients.
- Preset programs are designed to cook pulled pork to perfection — it takes minimal effort to get maximum flavor.
- Instant pot pulled pork shoulder makes enough to feed a crowd, but if you don’t have a crowd to feed, leftover pulled pork freezes well too.
- There are so many ways to serve pulled pork that you can enjoy a different BBQ dish each day of the week!
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients
- Boneless pork shoulder roast
- BBQ pulled pork seasoning mix
- Avocado oil
- Tomato sauce
- Dark brown sugar: You may substitute light brown sugar if you prefer.
- Apple cider vinegar
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions and Additions
- Other Oil Options: You can substitute any oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, or grapeseed oil, for this recipe. Do not use olive oil, as the high saute temperature may cause it to burn.
- Serve With Sauce: You can use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce or a homemade BBQ sauce to smother your shredded meat. Or if you want to add some heat, serve your pork sandwiches with my Fireball BBQ Sauce or Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce.
- Grab A Garnish: A garnish goes great with a shredded pork sandwich. Pickles, lettuce, and coleslaw can create some extra texture crunch.
- Make A Smoky Sauce: Feel free to add some liquid smoke or Worcestershire sauce for extra smoky flavor.
How to Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Prepare Your Pork: Cut the pork into 3-4 large pieces and trim off any large pieces of fat. Rub the seasoning mix on all sides of the pork.
- Sear: Heat the oil using the saute function and then sear the pork on all sides.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to cook it long, about 2-3 minutes per side, just enough to give it some color and flavor. - Pour Sauce In The Pot: Whisk together the tomato sauce, sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Turn off the instant pot and pour the sauce over the pork.
- Cook: Place the lid on the instant pot and seal it. Cook using the meat/stew function for 60 minutes or until the pork easily pulls apart.
- Pull Apart The Pork: Release the steam using the quick release function and pull apart the pork.
- Serve: Mix the pork back into the sauce and serve on buns as pulled pork sandwiches or sliders. Enjoy!
What To Serve With Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Traditionally, pulled pork is served sloppy joes style between buns or rolls and with an assortment of sides, such as pickles, salad, potato chips, or french fries. Potato or macaroni salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade coleslaw, and cornbread pair perfectly as well.
Serve an instant pot shredded pork sandwich with broccoli slaw or lettuce piled on top. Instant pot bbq pork can also be spooned over a bed of rice, stuffed in tacos or burritos, rolled in a wrap, or even mixed in with mac and cheese.
Leftover instant pot bbq pulled pork can be used to make chili, as a filling for enchiladas, as a topping for pizza and nachos, or simply eaten straight from the spoon!
Tips For Making Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- I used a 3-3.5 pound cut of pork. You can use a 2-2.5 pound cut if you wish, but I would reduce the sauce slightly, or your pulled pork may have a runnier sauce.
- You can reduce the sugar to ⅓ cup if you like your pulled pork to be less sweet.
- I do not recommend using a leaner cut of meat (like pork loin roast or pork tenderloin) with this recipe. The pork shoulder will release a lot of juices and fat, so your meat will be extra tender and flavorful.
- Don’t skip the searing step. Searing is essential for locking in the juices and melding the flavors together in the meat.
How to Store Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- To Store: Instant Pot Pulled Pork should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze this dish in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat your pulled pork in a saucepan over low heat, in a slow cooker on low or in the microwave. If you are reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first before reheating.
More Instant Pot Recipes
Other Easy Sandwich recipes
- Pulled BBQ Chicken in the Crock Pot
- Big Mac Sloppy Joes
- Steak Grilled Cheese
- Crockpot Queso Chicken Quesadillas
If you tried this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
- 1.6 ounces package BBQ pulled pork seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- Optional garnishes: barbecue sauce pickles, coleslaw
- Buns and potato chips for serving optional
Instructions
- Use a sharp knife and a cutting board to cut the pork into 3-4 large pieces and trim off any large pieces of fat.3 pounds boneless pork shoulder roast
- Place the pork shoulder on a large plate and rub in the seasoning mix onto it, evenly on all sides.1.6 ounces package BBQ pulled pork seasoning mix
- Heat the avocado oil in the instant pot using the saute function and then sear the pork on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. You don’t need to cook it long, just enough to give it some color and flavor.1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Turn off the instant pot and whisk together the tomato sauce, dark brown sugar and apple cider vinegar in a medium bowl.½ cup tomato sauce, ½ cup dark brown sugar, ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
- Pour the sauce over the pork and then put on the lid and seal the instant pot.
- Cook using the meat/stew function for 60 minutes or until the pork easily pulls apart.
- Once the pork has finished cooking, release the steam using the quick release function and pull apart the pork on a large plate, using two forks or a fork and a large prong.
- Mix the pork back into the sauce and serve on buns, optional.Optional garnishes: barbecue sauce, Buns and potato chips for serving
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Instant Pot Pulled Pork should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eaten within 3-4 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze this dish in a freezer safe container or bag for up to 2-3 months.
- To Reheat: Reheat your pulled pork in a saucepan over low heat, in a slow cooker on low or in the microwave. If you are reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge first before reheating.
- I used a 3-3.5 pound cut of pork. You can use a 2-2.5 pound cut if you wish but I would reduce the sauce slightly or your pulled pork may have a runnier sauce.
- You can reduce the sugar to ⅓ cup if you like your pulled pork to be less sweet.
- I do not recommend using a leaner cut of meat (like pork loin roast or pork tenderloin) with this recipe. The pork shoulder will release a lot of juices and fat, so your meat will be extra tender and flavorful.
- Don’t skip the searing step. Searing is essential for locking in the juices and melding the flavors together in the meat.
