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Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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close up shot of Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Full of juicy and tender pork, this simple homemade Instant Pot pulled pork will be a favorite!
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Table of Contents
  1. Instant Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storing This Pulled Pork In Instant Pot Recipe
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

An easy Southern favorite, this Instant Pot pulled pork is so authentic and full of great flavor you’ll feel like you’re in Texas. We start with simple ingredients to create a smoky sauce for the pork, and once done, the delicious, tender shredded pork gets served on a bun for a messy sandwich.

close up shot of a Instant Pot Pulled Pork sandwich with bbq sauce on a plate

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Ingredients

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You’ll need:

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 4 pounds of pork tenderloin, quartered
  • 2 cups of hickory barbecue sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons of paprika
  • 3 teaspoons of onion powder
  • 3 teaspoons of garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon of kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon of mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon of black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
  • ¾ cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup of chicken broth

Substitutions And Additions

PORK BUTT OR SHOULDER: Although pork butt and boneless pork shoulder roast are the best cut of pork for pulled pork, a pork loin roast is also a good choice. Tenderloin is leaner and won’t shred as well.

SPICY: If you are a fan of spicy pulled pork, you can add your favorite hot sauce, an extra dash of cayenne pepper, or even smokey chipotle peppers to the Instant Pot as well.

BBQ SAUCE: If you have a favorite BBQ sauce, you can use it for this recipe. If you prefer a homemade BBQ sauce, that would work as well.

How To Make This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

STEP ONE: Grease the Instant Pot with olive oil.

STEP TWO: Place the pork pieces to the bottom of the pot.

STEP THREE: Mix the BBQ sauce and brown sugar in a small bowl.

bbq sauce and brown sugar mixed

STEP FOUR: Sift all seasonings together in a separate small bowl.

all seasoning sifted together

STEP FIVE: Pour sauce and seasoning mix over the pork in the Instant Pot.

seasonings being poured into instant pot

STEP SIX: Add apple cider vinegar and chicken broth.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Chicken broth is the perfect liquid for pressure cooking pork. It adds flavor that you simply won’t get with water. 

STEP SEVEN: Place and lock the lid and set the valve to sealing.

STEP EIGHT: Press manual, and set to high pressure for a 1-hour cook time. Once done, allow the pot to naturally release for 10 minutes. Carefully release any remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting.

STEP NINE: Remove cooked pork to a cutting board and shred.

pork being shredded with a fork on a plate

STEP TEN: While shredding, reduce the remaining liquid in the Instant Pot by half by turning on the saute function and simmering for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

STEP ELEVEN: Add pork back to the remaining liquid, and stir well to combine.

pork being added to instant pot

STEP TWELVE: Serve pulled pork on buns.

PRO TIP:

Toast the burger buns before serving with the pulled pork.

pork on a sandwich with bbq sauce

How To Serve

Pulled pork sandwiches are deliciously saucy and messy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Enjoy your sandwich with classic coleslaw, macaroni salad or potato salad on the side.

For more instant pot recipes, try our Instant Pot chicken alfredo and Instant Pot chicken wings.

Storing This Pulled Pork In Instant Pot Recipe

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this easy pulled pork recipe in an airtight container in the fridge.

IN THE FREEZER: You can store the leftover pulled pork in the freezer for up to four months.

REHEATING: If you happen to have leftovers, you can heat them on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven easily without drying them out.

Be sure to save the leftover sauce and warm it with the leftovers to keep the meat juicy and moist.

close up shot of a Instant Pot Pulled Pork sandwich on a plate

With a little help from the Instant Pot, you’ll have a tasty meal ready to go in a fraction of the time that it would take in the slow cooker. This Instant Pot pulled pork is a great recipe for busy weeknight meals or to take along to a potluck. The tender meat has great flavor once cooked in the yummy, smoky sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I shred pork?

To shred pork, use two forks. Holding one in each hand, use them to pull the pork apart.

Can this be made in the slow cooker?

You could make this easy recipe in the slow cooker. You’d have to adjust the cooking time, but it will still come out saucy and delicious.

What can I use pulled pork for?

Pulled pork can be used for so many different meals. Try pork sandwiches, pork tacos, or even pork sliders.

Can I freeze the pulled pork?

You can store the leftover pulled pork in the freezer for up to four months.

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close up shot of Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

5 from 2 votes
Full of juicy and tender pork, this simple homemade Instant Pot pulled pork will be a favorite!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 pounds pork tenderloin, quartered
  • 2 cups hickory BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 teaspoons paprika
  • 3 teaspoons onion powder
  • 3 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions
 

  • Grease Instant Pot with olive oil.
  • Place pork pieces to bottom of Instant Pot.
  • Mix BBQ sauce and brown sugar in a small bowl.
  • Sift all seasoning together in a separate small bowl.
  • Pour sauce and seasoning mixes over pork in Instant Pot.
  • Add apple cider vinegar and chicken broth.
  • Place and lock lid.
  • Set valve to sealing.
  • Press manual, set to high pressure for 1 hour.
  • Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes.
  • Carefully release and remaining pressure by turning the valve to venting.
  • Remove cooked pork to a cutting board and shred.
  • While shredding, reduce the remaining liquid in the instant pot by half by turning on the saute function and simmering for approximately 15 minutes, stir occasionally.
  • Add pork back to remaining liquid, stir well to combine.
  • Serve pulled pork on buns.

Notes

  • Chicken broth is the perfect liquid for pressure cooking pork. It adds flavor that you simply cannot get with water.
  • Toast the burger buns before serving with the pulled pork.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 606kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 197mg | Sodium: 1479mg | Potassium: 1527mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 4mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Marijke says

    5 stars
    Made this for lunch yesterday and it was SO good! Everyone loved it! The pulled pork was so easy to pull apart and was so juicy. Thank you so much! Definitely will be making this again in the future!

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