Instant Pot Pulled Pork
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 40 mins
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Servings
6 servings
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Calories
767 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Description
Instant Pot Pulled Pork uses boneless pork shoulder cooked with a rich barbecue sauce blend including beer, molasses, brown sugar, liquid smoke, and spices, creating a deeply flavored, tender meat. The pork cooks under high pressure for about an hour, then undergoes a natural pressure release to preserve moisture. After cooking, it’s shredded with forks and combined with reserved cooking liquid and additional barbecue sauce, then simmered to coat and heat through. This process yields a juicy, flavorful pulled pork suitable for sandwiches or serving alongside coleslaw.
The sauce’s ingredients like smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground mustard contribute a smoky, mildly spicy background, balanced by sweetness from brown sugar and molasses. Beer adds depth over plain water, while apple cider vinegar lends some brightness. Liquid smoke reinforces the barbecue flavor profile.
This pulled pork is typically served on sesame seed buns and topped with coleslaw for texture contrast. It reheats well, and saving some cooking liquid helps keep leftovers moist during storage.
For enhanced flavor, searing the pork pieces before pressure cooking creates a golden crust, enriching the final taste. Cooking times may vary based on pork size and Instant Pot model; tenderness is the best doneness indicator.
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs. pork shoulder cut into 3-4 pieces, boneless
Sauce for Pressure Cooking:
- 2 cups barbecue sauce
- 1 1/2 cups beer Coke, Dr. Pepper or water/ beef broth, choice
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder use more for a spicier pulled pork
- 1 teaspoon thyme ground
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
After Pressure Cooking:
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 leftover cooking sauce
Serving:
- coleslaw
- 6 sesame seed buns
Instructions
- Combine all the "Sauce" ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to fully combine.
- Add the pork pieces to the Instant Pot and pour the sauce on top of them.
- Lock the lid, and make sure the valve points to seal. Select High Pressure and cook for 60 minutes. When the pork is done the cooking and you hear the beeping sound, do a 10-20 min natural pressure release. Release manually the remaining pressure and carefully remove the lid.
- Gently remove the pork from the pressure cooker, add it to a large, dip dish and shred it using two forks.
- Strain the cooking liquid and reserve about 2 cups.
- Select Sauté and add the shredded pork back to the cooking pot, add the remaining 1 cup of barbecue sauce and ½ cup of the cooking liquid. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, stirring and tossing frequently. If needed add another ½ cup of cooking liquid.
- Serve pulled pork immediately on buns, if desired top with coleslaw and more barbecue sauce.
- Store in the refrigerator the remaining 1 cup of cooking liquid, you can use it to reheat the pulled pork, in case it needs more liquid.
- Store pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Searing the pork pieces in olive oil before pressure cooking adds a browned crust and enhances flavor, though this step is optional.
- Cooking time can vary depending on your Instant Pot model and pork piece size; check for tenderness before shredding.
- Using beer instead of water in the cooking liquid imparts a deeper flavor to the pulled pork.
- Save some cooking liquid when shredding to spoon over leftovers to keep them moist during storage.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 767 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0g | |
| Calories | 767kcal | 38% |
| Carbohydrates | 105g | 35% |
| Protein | 56g | 112% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 136mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 1827mg | 76% |
| Potassium | 1510mg | 32% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 72g | 144% |
| Vitamin A | 585IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 2.1mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 188mg | 19% |
| Iron | 5.5mg | 31% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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