Whole30 Pulled Pork is really flavorful pork butt that is seasoned with a sugar free dry rub. It is cooked in the Instant Pot which makes it completely fall apart tender in a short amount of time. Following the rules of Whole30 it makes an amazing topper for baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, salads or lettuce wraps.
If you are not following a lifestyle diet that restricts sugar, you can hop over to this recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork OR Instant Pot Boneless Pork Ribs or if you prefer a chicken you can look through this Instant Pot BBQ Chicken recipe.
Pork Butt or Shoulder
When you go to buy your pork you can purchase any of these, as they are all pretty much the same thing, and bone in or bone out doesn’t matter either:
- pork butt
- pork shoulder
- boston butt
Bone in or bone out doesn’t make a big difference in the pulled pork. But, if you buy bone in you may have to cut around the bone to fit it in the Instant Pot, creating a little more work. I usually just buy what is available and what is the best deal.
Cooking Time For Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
Before beginning note how much your pork butt weighs, this will help you determine cooking time. After trimming I recommend that you estimate about 1-1.5 lbs of fat/bone was removed, then estimate your cooking time at 15 mins per pound.
Example of Cooking Time Calculation for Pork Butt in IP
15 MINUTES PER POUND
Purchased an 8 lb pork butt
Removed 1 lb of fat
Now 7 lbs x 15 mins/lb = 105 minutes
How To Cook Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
The first step in cooking pork butt in the Instant Pot is to trim the excess fat. Most whole or half pork butts come with a decent fat cap, which in low and slow BBQ will render and create amazing flavor. However in the fast cooking of Instant Pot it just ends up being greasy. So get rid of as much large fat pieces as you can, but not ALL, leave a smidge for flavor and moisture. See photo below of trimmed pork butt.
You will also want to cut the pork into large 3 inch chunks. Place it all on a large rimmed baking sheet.
Season it liberally on all sides. It will look like A LOT of seasoning, but it adds so much flavor!! Give it a little press so that it sticks to the meat.
Setting Up The Instant Pot
You are going to start with a layer of flavor in the Instant Pot by adding 1 cup water, 1/4 cup coconut aminos and 6 crushed garlic cloves. Now place the trivet in the pot. Carefully layer the seasoned pork chunks into the pot, not exceeding the maximum fill line.
Close the lid and lock the pressure valve to seal. Set to cook on meat/stew for your calculated amount of time.
Do a 10 minute natural pressure release. Then release additional pressure with a quick release.
Pull the pork out of the pot and shred with 2 forks. It should just fall apart!
Serving & Storing
This Whole30 Pulled Pork is amazing served over a baked potato and topped with Whole30 Smoked Paprika Aioli and green onions.
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze your leftover pulled pork for up to 3 months!
Whole30 Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Whole30 Pulled Pork – Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 5-9 lb pork butt, pork shoulder, boston butt bone in or boneless, cut into large 3 inch chunks, fat trimmed
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 6 garlic cloves, crushed
Sugar Free Dry Rub
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dry mustard
- 2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Trim as much fat as you can from the pork butt. Cut into large 3 inch chunks.
- Mix all the dry rub ingredients in a bowl. Stir to break up clumps and to combine.
- Generously season the pork pieces, pressing the rub onto the pork. NOTE: If you have a larger 8-9 lb pork butt you will you all the rub, if you have a smaller 5-7 lb pork butt you may only use 1/2 to 3/4. You can save any additional in an airtight container in your spice cabinet for up to 6 months.
- Add the 1 cup water and 1/4 cup coconut aminos and 6 crushed garlic cloves to the bottom of the Instant Pot. Place the trivet in the pot and then layer the pork pieces in, make note not to exceed the max fill line.
- Set your pot to cook for 15 minutes per pound. Example- I bought an 8 lb pork butt, I removed about 1 lb of fat, so 7 pounds x 15 minutes per pound = 105 minutes.
- Do a 10 minute natural release, the finish with a quick release.
- Remove the pork from the pot, discard the liquid, and shred the pork using two forks. It should just completely fall apart!
Serving
Storing
- Fridge- Store any leftover cooled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.Freezer – Freeze any cooled leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then warm in the microwave or oven to serve.
- This pork is excellent served over a sweet potato or baked potato drizzled with Whole30 Smoked Paprika Aioli and chopped green onions!!
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