Made with a sweet and savory spice rub and a delicious braising liquid, this recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork results in incredibly juicy, fall-apart tender pork. Whether served as an entree or on a bun with a side of coleslaw, Instant Pot Pulled Pork is a guaranteed crowd favorite.
Inspired by my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe, this recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork is ready in a fraction of the time and the results are phenomenal. You will LOVE it!
Reasons to Love Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Minimal Effort Required. This recipe for pulled pork takes only a few minutes of hands-on prep. The pressure cooker does all the hard work for you!
- Short Cooking Time. Compared to making pulled pork using a smoker, in the slow cooker, or oven, Instant Pot Pulled Pork comes together in a mere fraction of the time the other methods require.
- Feeds a Crowd. A pork roast makes a lot of meat, making this recipe perfect for using to entertain a crowd. Make the pulled pork stretch further by using it for sandwiches or wraps.
- Versatile. Not only can Instant Pot Pulled Pork be served in endless ways, but the flavor can be changed up as well to deliver an entirely new spin on pulled pork.
Notes on Ingredients
- Pork Roast: For this recipe, you can use a pork butt, pork shoulder, or pork loin roast. This recipe is not suited for pork tenderloin. For pulled pork, most would argue a pork shoulder (AKA a pork butt) is the best option, as it is incredibly marbled and full of flavor. However, a pork loin roast is a much leaner option and still turns out perfectly tender when cooked in the Instant Pot.
- Dry Rub: I use my homemade dry rub to add the perfect flavor to this pulled pork. It is made with brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder and gives this pork roast so much flavor!
- Cooking liquid: Apple juice is my favorite cooking liquid to use when preparing Instant Pot Pulled Pork. The apple juice adds a nice sweet flavor to the pork that pairs well with the seasoning on the pork. In place of the apple juice, you can opt to use pineapple juice, beer, root beer, or even water. st
- Liquid Smoke (optional): The liquid smoke gives the meat a smokey flavor, but it is a rather processed ingredient, so feel free to omit it. The pork will be delicious with or without it.
- Barbecue Sauce (optional): After the pork has been shredded, you can toss it with your favorite store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce for BBQ pulled pork.
∗ Options for Different Flavors ∗
I love the sweet and spicy dry rub used in this pressure cooker pulled pork recipe, as it adds an incredible flavor to the pork and pairs beautifully with the addition of barbecue sauce. However, you can opt to use different spice blends to create unique spins on this classic recipe.
- Tex-Mex: Replace the dry spice rub with 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. Cook the pork roast in pineapple juice or water and then toss with enchilada sauce or leave plain after shredding.
- Latin-American Twist: Replace the dry rub with Homemade Adobo Seasoning. Cook the seasoned pork using orange juice mixed with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. The result is a sweet and savory Caribbean-inspired pulled pork recipe.
- Jerk Pulled Pork: Use jerk seasoning and pineapple juice to create a spicy, tangy, pulled pork with a Jamaican twist.
- Low-Carb Pulled Pork: Omit the brown sugar from the dry rub and use water to cook the pork.
How To Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork
While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
Step One: Prepare the Pork. It is best to cube the pork roast into large chunks before seasoning and pressure cooking it. This allows the pork to become super tender in a shorter amount of time and it also allows for more surface area for the rub. Prepare the spice rub by mixing the salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, pepper, brown sugar, and cayenne pepper.
Step Two: Pressure Cook. Once the pork has been seasoned place it into the inner pot along with the apple juice and liquid smoke. It is okay if the pieces overlap. The amount of cooking time will depend on the cut of your pork roast.
- For Pork Shoulder/Pork Butt: Cook on High Pressure for 40 minutes.
- For Pork Loin: Cook on High Pressure for 30 minutes.
Step Three: Let Pressure Release. Once the cooking time has elapsed, it is very important to allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. If you do a quick release or pressure, your pork can become tough, making it difficult to shred.
Step Four: Shred the Pork. Before shredding the pork, let it rest in large mixing bowl for 15-20 minutes, as that will help keep the pork tender and juicy. After the pork has rested, add a bit of the reserved cooking liquid, and shred or pull the pork, using two forks or a handheld mixer.
Step Five: Add Sauce (Optional): Mix the shredded Instant Pot Pulled Pork with your favorite BBQ sauce, if desired. This meat is super flavorful without the need for added BBQ sauce.
Ways to Serve Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Pulled Pork is one of my family's favorite recipes. We love to pile it up on buns and top it with homemade coleslaw for a delicious pulled pork sandwich. If I add a side of Oven Fries and Baked Beans, my family is really happy!!
However, pulled pork is incredibly versatile. Let the following ideas inspire you for your next delicious meal.
- Top Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, Air Fryer Baked Potato, or Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes with a scoop of the pulled pork and top with cheese and barbecue sauce for a delicious BBQ Pork Loaded Potato.
- Use the slow cooker pulled pork in place of the BBQ chicken in BBQ Chicken Salad, or to top pizza dough for a fun spin on pizza night.
- Use the shredded pork to make pork tacos--with or without the added BBQ sauce.
- Make loaded nachos or loaded fries by topping tortilla chips, air fryer fries, or baked fries with pulled pork, cheese, and pickled jalapenos and broiling until melted.
Storage Instructions
Instant Pot Pulled Pork stores exceptionally well. You can opt to refrigerate or freeze your pulled pork once cooled to room temperature.
- Refrigerate: Allow the pulled pork to cool and then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat it in a dry skillet over medium heat until warmed through or in a microwave-safe dish, covered with a heat-safe lid until warmed through.
- Freeze: Place cooled pulled pork into a freezer-safe bag or storage container and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To heat from frozen, place the frozen pulled pork in the instant pot with 1 cup of apple juice and cook on high for 10 minutes. Alternatively, thaw the pork overnight in the fridge. Once thawed, place in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 2-3 minutes per cup of pork. Add in a splash of apple juice, water, or stock to loosen up the pork if needed.
Recipe FAQs
For the best results, I highly recommend cutting the pork into large chunks before pressure cooking. Not only does this speed up the cooking process and result in more tender meat, but it also allows for more surface area to be coated in the dry rub, creating more flavorful meat. If you opt to NOT cut the pork into chunks, you will need to cook on High Pressure for 40 minutes per pound if cooking a pork butt or pork shoulder, and on High Pressure for 30 minutes per pound if cooking a pork loin roast.
Yes! The beauty of using your Instant Pot is that you can cook frozen cuts of meat safely. If your frozen pork roast is already cubed, add 10 minutes to the cooking time. If your frozen pork roast is not cubed, you will need to cook for 50 minutes per pound for pork shoulder or pork butt and 40 minutes per pound for pork loin.
More Delicious Instant Pot Pork Recipes
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Instant Pot Pork Chops
- Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin
- Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut
- Instant Pot Ribs
- Instant Pot Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Instant Pot Rigatoni with Sausage
If you enjoyed this recipe for Instant Pot Pulled Pork, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar
- 3 to 4 pounds pork roast (pork shoulder, pork butt, or pork loin) cut into 3-4 inch chunks
- 1-½ cups apple juice
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1-2 cups barbecue sauce optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, cayenne, and brown sugar together in a small bowl.
- Cut the pork roast into large chunks that are each about 3 to 4 inches in size and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Starting with half the rub, sprinkle the rub over the pork and use your hands to rub the seasoning blend evenly into the pork, adding additional rub as needed.
- Pour the apple juice and liquid smoke, if using, into the inner pot. Add in the seasoned pork.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker, ensuring the lid is locked or the venting knob is closed. Set to cook on high pressure for 40 minutes if using pork shoulder or pork butt. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes if using a pork loin roast. To set the cooking time, hit manual or pressure cook and then use the +/- buttons to adjust the timer.
- Once cook time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for AT LEAST 15 minutes.
- After pressure has been released, remove the chunks of pork from the Instant Pot and place them into a large mixing bowl. Let the pork rest for 15-20 minutes before shredding.
- Pour the cooking liquid into a glass measuring cup over a fine mesh strainer. If you would like to remove some of the fat that had rendered into the cooking liquid, place the liquid into the freezer for 5-10 minutes. The fat will rise and solidify, making it easy to scoop out and discard.
- After the pork has rested, pour ¼ cup of the strained cooking liquid over the pork. Shred the pork using 2 forks, a handheld kitchen mixer on medium-low speed, or a stand mixer on low speed with a paddle attachment. Add in additional cooking liquid and/or barbecue sauce as desired.
- Serve as desired.
S.
Thank you for this delicious fast n easy recipe! I was hoping for leftovers for lunch, but not a chance!
Thank you again.
Kristen Chidsey
You are welcome. Just wish I could send you some leftovers 🙂
Sosher
Great simple recipe results are perfect everytime.
I love your suggestions on using BBQ pull pork for many serving options.
Thanks,
Kristen Chidsey
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Sosher!
William
Thanks for this recipe.
I have not used it yet but was wondering; why the cooking time doesn't change with increased servings and the increased meat size?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi William! The cooking time is determined by the size of ONE cut of meat (just like you were cooking chicken breasts) Because the pork is cut into chunks, each piece will cook in the same amount of time, regardless of how much pork you are cooking. I hope that helps clarify 🙂
Jim
Can I use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika?
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! The smoked paprika will be delicious!
Tiffany
So good. The whole family loved it. Put it on toasted buns and our teenager ate three. My husband said two thumbs up!! Save the recipe... Thank you for sharing.
Kristen Chidsey
Awesome! I love hearing your family enjoyed this pulled pork so much! Thanks for sharing, Tiffany!
Janell
This was excellent! My pork was frozen, so I pressure cooked it for 5 minutes or so, then cut it up and put it back in for 30 minutes or so (both times used natural pressure release). I think my family would have eaten the whole 8# if I would have let them!
Kristen Chidsey
HA! Well, that is a sign of a winning dinner! So happy to hear you all enjoyed! And loved the tip about cooking for 5 minutes and then cutting the pork--smart!
Laurie
Excellent! Made exactly as per recipe except used the Apple Cider I had on hand for apple juice. Flavorful and tender. Liquid smoke definitely added the perfect touch.
Susan Fuller
Hey Kristen!! I have a 6 Qt. Instant Pot and discovered the pork butt I have is 5 lbs.! If it fits , cut up, do you think that would work ? or increase cook time? (OR I can use 3 lbs & the other 2 lbs I can cook another way.) Just thought you might have advice.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Susan! I hope you are all doing well! I would cut it into 2-inch chunks and add an additional cup of liquid and keep the cooking time the same. it will take longer to come to pressure and for pressure to release, but it will work! Enjoy!
Jackie
The recipe says 40 minutes for the 3 pound roast but the notes say 40 minutes per pound. Which is it? Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
If you cook the pork in chunks it is a total of 40 minutes. If you do not cut the pork into chunks, you would cook for 40 minutes per pound.
Maryla Gallagher
Hi Kristen,
This meal looks perfect especially with the plan to make grilled pizza with the leftovers. I'm eating more chicken than pork right now. If I switch to chicken would you recommend bone in and how long should I cook in the Instant Pot?
Cheryl
I love this pulled pork recipe. I’m just now making it for about 35 people. So easy and so good. Thank you
Kristen Chidsey
I love hearing you enjoy so much! I know your friends/family will enjoy as well 🙂
Jenna
Thank you for the recipe, Kristen. Very flavorful.