I’m still dreaming about this Instant Pot Pulled Pork! Fork tender pieces of meat, big flavor, and the best homemade BBQ sauce ever. I’ve even included detailed instructions on how to make this recipe in your slow cooker. Pulled pork is well within your grasp any night of the week!
What a fun day it was to create these gorgeous pulled pork sandwiches! From the homemade hamburger buns to the fall-apart-tender pork, even the apple slaw (recipe coming soon). This was, indeed, heaven on a plate. We may have pushed lunch until 4 PM to give me time to shoot all these photos, but, damn, was it ever worth it.
Without having to shoot a bazillion photos, however, this meal, fully made from scratch, was so easy! Knead your bread dough, prep the pork during the first rise, line your rolls on the baking sheet, start the Instant Pot as the oven preheats, bake your rolls, and whip up that coleslaw while the rolls cool. Everything will be ready at the same time! All of that with just a few bowls to clean up.
Ingredients
Click “Jump to the Recipe” at the top of the page or keep on scrolling down to the recipe card to get full ingredient amounts. This is a helpful section for substitutes and extra detail!
- Pork shoulder – Check the section below for more information.
- Salt & pepper – Season to taste
- Brown sugar – Honey will work instead.
- Spices – Garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper. You can always adjust the amounts used in this recipe to suit your preference.
- Olive oil – Vegetable, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, or avocado oil will work instead.
- Beer – I used a scotch ale. It’s best to use beers that are lighter on the hoppy side like lager, brown ale, amber ale, porter, wheat beer, or pilsner.
- Ketchup – The main ingredient in BBQ sauce. Use more or less to your taste.
- Apple cider vinegar – Red wine vinegar or regular vinegar will work instead.
- Water – To help thin out your BBQ sauce to coat the pork nicely.
- Worcestershire – Use as much or little as you like.
- Mustard – I used my favorite: grainy dijon. Smooth dijon, regular yellow mustard; it’ll all work!
Best cut for pulled pork
A recipe like pulled pork, especially done in a pressure cooker, is extremely forgiving. You can use what would, traditionally, be considered tough cuts that aren’t ideal with other methods of cooking. This pork will come out fall-apart tender, guaranteed!
I actually found a pork shoulder “picnic” roast. It had a bone going through the middle which I had to chop out, but it was half the price of everything else. Let me tell you, this recipe had it tasting world-class! Not finding pork shoulder at your local grocery store? These will work too:
- Pork butt
- Blade roast
- Pork steaks
How to make Instant Pot pulled pork
- Spice: Toss the pork with the salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Sauce: Add all the BBQ sauce ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
- Sear: Turn your Instant Pot on to the Sauté function. Once the pot is hot, add the olive oil, Sear the pork on all sides, working in batches as to not over-crowd the pot. Set the seared pieces aside in a bowl.
- Deglaze: Pour the beer into the pot and whisk well to get all the bits off the bottom. Add the pork back to the pot, along with the prepared BBQ sauce. Give everything a quick stir to combine.
- Pressure: Secure the lid of your Instant Pot and set the valve to SEAL. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure.
- Thicken: Remove the pieces of pork with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a baking sheet. Turn the sauté setting on your Instant Pot, and let the sauce reduce for 10-15 minutes, or until it has reached your desired consistency.
- Shred: Use two forks to shred the pork, removing any large pieces of fat during this process. OPTIONAL: Broil the pork in the oven for 3-5 minutes to crisp the edges.
- Finish: Pour about 1 cup of sauce over the pork and toss well to combine. Leave some sauce on the side to serve.
How to make slow cooker pulled pork
I know that Instant Pot of yours has a slow cooker function! This is a perfect “set it and forget it” dinner. Get the show started in the morning before work, and come home to the most incredible smells.
Follow steps 1 and 2 as per the recipe.
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides. Work in batches, and add the finished pieces to your slow cooker.
- Pour the beer into the skillet and whisk to get all the bits off the bottom. Pour this, along with the BBQ sauce, into your slow cooker. Give everything a good mix.
- Cook on high pressure for 5-6 hours or low pressure for 8-10 hours.
Follow the rest of the recipe as usual. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan and reduce it over medium to medium-high heat.
How to make pulled pork sandwiches
Grab your favorite type of sandwich bun, or, better yet, make them yourself! Click the link for all the details on how to toast your buns to perfection. This will ensure your buns hold up without becoming soggy.
Once your buns are toasted up, you’re ready to assemble. Add a healthy scoop of your pulled pork, top with a drizzle of that to-die-for BBQ sauce, homemade coleslaw, and that’s it! Make sure you have lots of napkins handy.
How to store leftover pulled pork
Transfer your pork to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can reheat in the microwave, or in a skillet over medium heat. I suggest adding a splash of water or broth to make sure the BBQ sauce on the pork doesn’t stick to the skillet and burn.
Your pork will also last 3 months in the freezer. Transfer to an airtight container or large freezer bag. When you’re ready to reheat, make sure to let the pork thaw completely overnight in the fridge.
I know you loved this recipe! Try these:
- Instant Pot Ribs
- Skillet Cajun Chicken Sausage and Rice
- Turkey Chili
- Baked Mac and Cheese
- Chicken and Shiitake Coconut Curry
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
Pulled Pork
- 4-6 lbs pork shoulder aka pork butt, cut into 1"-2" cubes
- 2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1 tsp pepper freshly ground
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried mustard
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or as much/ little as you like
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 12 oz beer*
BBQ Sauce
- 1 3/4 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/3 cup dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Toss the pork with the salt, pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Add all the BBQ sauce ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.
- Turn your Instant Pot on to the Sauté function. Once the pot is hot, add the olive oil, Sear the pork on all sides, working in batches as to not over-crowd the pot. Set the seared pieces aside in a bowl.
- Pour the beer into the pot and whisk well to get all the bits off the bottom. Add the pork back to the pot, along with the prepared BBQ sauce. Give everything a quick stir to combine.
- Secure the lid of your Instant Pot and set the valve to SEAL. Cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes before quick-releasing the remaining pressure.
- Remove the pieces of pork with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a baking sheet. Turn the sauté setting on your Instant Pot, and let the sauce reduce for 10-15 minutes, or until it has reached your desired consistency.**
- Use two forks to shred the pork, removing any large pieces of fat during this process. OPTIONAL: Broil the pork in the oven for 5 minutes or so to crisp the edges.
- Pour about 1 cup of sauce over the pork and toss well to combine. Leave some sauce on the side to serve.
Notes
- Add the oil to a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork on all sides. Work in batches, and add the finished pieces to your slow cooker.
- Pour the beer into the skillet and whisk to get all the bits off the bottom. Pour this, along with the BBQ sauce, into your slow cooker. Give everything a good mix.
- Cook on high pressure for 5-6 hours or low pressure for 8-10 hours.
Honestly a word class pulled pork and so easy!