Instant Pot Pulled Pork is tender and flavorful pork shoulder (or butt) cooked up quickly in your electric pressure cooker. The pork meat comes out fall-apart tender and makes amazing BBQ pulled pork sandwiches or tacos.
This is a complete guide to making pulled pork in your Instant Pot- everything from which cut of pork to buy, and how much to buy, to trimming, seasoning and cooking!
If you have a pork butt but want to use it in other ways, check out these two recipes: Instant Pot Carnitas or Instant Pot Pork Roast.
Also, if you love BBQ in your Instant Pot definitely make these Instant Pot Boneless Pork Ribs or Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken!! You will not regret it!
Is it Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder
So what do your buy at the store to make pulled pork: pork butt, pork shoulder, or Boston butt? Bone-in or boneless?
Buying any of these options will result in the same flavorful pulled pork. Butt, shoulder and Boston butt are pretty much the same thing.. confusing, isn’t it!?
All three are actually cut from the shoulder, hence “pork shoulder”. The pork “butt”, also known as Boston butt, comes from the same area but is a little higher on the foreleg.
Buying boneless or bone-in is up to you. Both will cook perfectly fine in your Instant Pot. Since you will be cutting the pork butt into cubes, you could cut the bone out if you prefer, but it is not totally necessary.
How Much Pork to Buy
If you are planning on feeding a crowd or just a couple people it is important to know how many pounds of pork to buy. They can vary anywhere from 3 lbs up to 18 lbs. The best way to calculate is 3 people (adults) per pound of pork.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
We are going to start by trimming the pork butt. Since we are not cooking “low and slow”, like in smoking, the fat will not render all the way down. The last thing you want in your pulled pork is a big chunk of jiggly fat. Gross.
Trim as much of the white fat that you can from the outside of the butt. Then cut the meat down into 3 inch chunks. If you come across more fat or connective tissue within the meat, cut that out as well.
In a small bowl mix together your dry rub seasoning. Coat the pork butt pieces completely with all of the seasoning.
Pour 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar into the Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet over the liquid. Put the seasoned pork pieces on the trivet.
Close the pot and set to cook for 40 minutes.
Do a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
Pulling Your Pork
Now you will want to “pull” your pork, which is another way of saying shred the pork.
Since the meat will be so tender it is easy to do with two forks. Another easy way to shred meat (especially chicken) is by using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. That makes really quick work of shredding!!
Serving Pulled Pork
We like to eat our Instant Pot Pulled Pork on buns with some KC Style BBQ sauce and coleslaw. It also makes amazing tacos or grilled cheeses.
BTW, this Instant Pot Potato Salad makes a killer side dish for pulled pork sandwiches!
Storing
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
You can freeze leftover pulled pork very easily!! Place the cooled pork in a freezer safe bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months.
Other Great Instant Pot Recipes
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Pork and Cooking Liquid
- 3-5 lb. fresh pork butt (also called pork shoulder or boston butt)
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider
Dry Rub Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
- 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dry mustard
Serving
- favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Start by mixing the dry rub.In a small bowl combine 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 ½ tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon dry mustard. Stir it together so there are no clumps remaining. Set aside.
- Trim and cut your pork butt.With a sharp knife trim any fat or connective tissue from the pork butt. Cut the whole butt into 3 inch chunks. As you cut it open if you find more areas of fat, remove those too.
- Season the pork.Sprinkle and press the dry rub on all sides of the cut pork.
- Pour the cooking liquid in the Instant Pot.Add 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to the pot. Place the trivet over the liquid.
- Add the seasoned pork to the Instant Pot.Place all the seasoned pork pieces in the pot on the trivet.
- Close the lid and set to cook Pop the lid on your IP and turn the pressure valve to seal. Set to cook for 40 minutes. Do a 10 minute natural release and then release any remaining pressure with a quick release.
- Shred and serve!Remove the pork from the pot, discard the liquid (or you can use some to pour over your pork if you like)Take two forks and shred the pork. Mix with your favorite BBQ sauce and serve on buns or tacos or pizza or nachos!!
Notes:
If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.
Frankc
Didn’t work for me. Pork came out tough as hell.
Susie Weinrich
What kind of pork did you use? It should have been fall apart tender and definitely not dry.
El
Often if that happens it just wasn’t in for long enough. I’d switch my instant pot over to slow cook and leave it for another six hours or overnight!
valeria
I have made this recipe a couple of times. It is my recipe to go to for pulled pork. Thank you so much. It all makes sense and very flavorful. I’ve made it for 4th of July, and this weekend for labor day. 🙂
Brianna Scott
How would you reheat leftovers that have been frozen? I was thinking the oven? Thanks!
Susie Weinrich
You can absolutely reheat it in the oven. Pop the frozen pork in a baking dish and cover with foil. Warm at 350 until heated through, time will depend on how it is frozen. If it is frozen in individual shreds it will take less time than if it is in one block.
C James
What setting do I put my IP on? Stew, slow cooker?
Susie Weinrich
You will use the “pressure” or “manual” setting, you can also use the meat setting. All will work.
Clare
I was planning on making this tonight for my family! But I just noticed the trivet that’s needed in the instant pot. I do not have the trivet – will that make a big difference in the recipe/outcome?
Susie Weinrich
It will still work just fine without it!!
Clare
Can I use this recipe and slow cook the pork instead? Sometimes it’s easy to set it and forget it in the morning!
Susie Weinrich
Sure… I think for about 4 lbs of pork shoulder you should cook on low for 8 hours.
Robin
Took a tad bit longer to cook, but it was good and moist. Yummy bbq sandwiches and wraps! Served with pineapple coleslaw.
Daniel
I disagree with the time pwr pounds! Had an 8 pound pork butt cooked for 2 hours and mostly the center was tough and rubbery!
Susie Weinrich
I am so sorry that happened. Did you cut it into a couple smaller pieces?
Katrina
Can I use this recipe with a bone in pork shoulder
Susie Weinrich
Absolutely! You can cut the meat off of the bone or cut around the bone and still put the bone in with the larger pork chunks.
Maddie
This was the first recipe I made in my Instant Pot and it turned out perfectly! We made pulled pork sandwiches (and nachos with the leftovers). Thank you for the complete guide!
Amber
What pressure setting do you use? I am going to try high, I hope that is correct.
Susie
Yes! You are correct.