The Ultimate Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe: Tender, Juicy, and Ready in Minutes

Craving a quick, easy, and incredibly delicious family dinner? Look no further than this sensational Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe. Perfect for satisfying your comfort food cravings, this recipe yields enough succulent meat to create mouthwatering pulled pork sandwiches, and the leftovers are fantastic in nachos or stirred into pasta!

Comfort food isn’t just about stews and soups, although a hearty bowl of classic French beef bourguignon or a comforting vegan pumpkin soup is always a welcome treat.

True comfort can also be found in simple, flavorful, two-handed sandwiches piled high with tender, BBQ-sauced pulled pork and your favorite toppings, like crunchy apple sticks or creamy slaw. When time permits, I love making 2-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, a long-time favorite recipe of mine.

However, these days, I often find myself whipping up this incredible Instant Pot pork butt dinner on busy weeknights, using either my trusty Instant Pot or my versatile Ninja Foodi!

Why Choose Instant Pot Pulled Pork?

• Speed: Significantly faster than traditional slow-cooking methods.
• Tenderness: Pressure cooking creates incredibly tender and juicy pulled pork.
• Convenience: One-pot cooking minimizes cleanup.
• Flavor: Locks in all the delicious flavors for a truly satisfying meal.
• Versatility: Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, tacos, and more!

Ingredient Spotlight: What You’ll Need

• Olive oil: Essential for searing the pork, creating a flavorful crust and sealing in the juices.
• Pork shoulder (or pork butt): This cut is key to achieving tender, shreddable pulled pork. Its ample connective tissue and fat content break down during pressure cooking, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
• Apple cider vinegar: A magical ingredient that tenderizes the meat while helping it retain its juices, adding a subtle tang that complements the richness of the pork.
• Barbecue sauce: Use your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce or elevate the flavor with a homemade BBQ sauce. Sweet, smoky, tangy – the choice is yours!
• Beef broth: Adds depth and complexity to the pork’s flavor profile as it cooks, infusing it with savory goodness.
• Brown sugar: Provides a hint of sweetness to balance the savory elements, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
• Garlic powder and onion powder: These aromatic seasonings infuse the pork with beautiful flavor as it pressure cooks, adding a subtle depth that enhances the overall taste.
• Paprika: I prefer sweet paprika (not smoked) for its mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the pork perfectly. For a touch of heat, you can substitute cayenne pepper instead.
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper: Season generously to taste, and don’t hesitate to add more before serving if needed. These simple seasonings are the foundation of a well-balanced flavor.

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the Pork: Begin by chopping the pork shoulder or pork butt into smaller pieces, approximately 3 inches each. Place them in a bowl and set aside. This helps with even cooking.
2. Prepare the Liquid Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, half a cup of the barbecue sauce, and half a cup of the beef broth. Set this flavorful mixture aside.
   

   
   

3. Create the Spice Rub: In another large bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Whisk them together until well combined, creating a fragrant spice rub.
4. Season the Pork: Generously season the pork pieces with the spice rub, ensuring that each piece is evenly coated. This step infuses the pork with a delicious depth of flavor.
   

   
   
   

5. Sear the Pork: Turn your pressure cooker to the SAUTE and HI settings. Add the olive oil to the pot and let it heat up for about 2 minutes. Once the pot is hot, add the seasoned pork and sear it for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or large spoon. Searing the pork develops a rich, flavorful crust.
6. Deglaze the Pot (If Necessary): After searing, check the bottom of the pot.
   • If there are brown bits stuck to the bottom: Remove the meat and transfer it to a clean bowl. Pour a tablespoon or two of the beef broth into the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits. This process, called deglazing, adds even more flavor to the dish.
   • If there are no browned bits: Pour in the remaining beef broth and the BBQ sauce mix. Add the meat and stir everything together until the meat is well coated.
7. Pressure Cook: Seal the pressure cooker lid, ensuring that the pressure release valve is in the SEAL position and the lid is securely locked. Select PRESSURE/MANUAL and HI, then set the time for 40 minutes. The pressure cooker will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes to come to pressure before it begins the 40-minute cooking cycle.
   

   
   

8. Release the Pressure: Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, and then perform a quick release to vent any remaining pressure. Carefully open the lid once all the pressure has been released and the pressure release valve is fully down.
9. Shred and Sauce: You may notice excess liquid in the pot. If so, carefully strain out the meat, draining the excess liquid. Transfer the meat to a new bowl or return it to the pot. Using two forks, shred the pork until it is fully pulled apart. Pour in the remaining BBQ sauce and toss everything together until the pork is evenly coated in the sauce.
   

   
   

Serving Suggestions: Endless Possibilities

This Instant Pot pork butt recipe shines when transformed into flavorful pulled pork sandwiches. Serve them with a variety of side dishes to create a complete and satisfying meal.

Consider complementing your pulled pork with:

• Mushrooms Marsala
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Apples
• Air Fryer Broccoli
• Summer Slaw
• Creamy Confetti Corn

Wine Pairing Guide: Perfect Vino for Your Pork

Opt for lighter-bodied red wines to complement the richness of pulled pork. Avoid heavy, tannic wines that can overpower the delicate flavors of the meat.

My favorite pairings include:

• Oregon or California Pinot Noir: Offers bright fruit flavors and earthy undertones that harmonize beautifully with pulled pork.
• Gamay: A light and fruity red wine with a refreshing acidity that cuts through the richness of the pork.
• California Zinfandel: A fruit-forward wine with spicy notes that add a pleasant complexity to the pairing.

Recipe FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

What’s the best cut of pork to use for pulled pork?

Pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt, is the ideal cut. These cuts have ample connective tissue and higher fat content, resulting in tender, shreddable pork that cooks perfectly in a pressure cooker.

What can you make with pulled pork leftovers?

The possibilities are endless! Here are a few ideas:

• Pulled Pork Nachos: Sprinkle pulled pork over tortilla chips, top with cheese and salsa, and bake until the cheese is melted.
• Pulled Pork Pasta: Toss pulled pork with your favorite pasta and sauce for a hearty and flavorful meal.
• Pulled Pork Breakfast: Enjoy pulled pork with a fried egg for a protein-packed and satisfying breakfast.
• Pulled Pork Salad: Top mixed greens with pulled pork, your favorite vegetables, and a light vinaigrette for a delicious and healthy salad.

How do you store pulled pork leftovers?

Pulled pork leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 to 5 days.

How do I make pulled pork in my slow cooker?

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, or other electric pressure cooker, you can easily make pulled pork in your slow cooker! I have a fantastic Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe that you can try.

Essential Tools for Perfect Pulled Pork

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the essential tools you’ll need:

The most important tool is an electric pressure cooker. I recommend the Ninja Foodi 8-quart Deluxe XL 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker or the Instant Pot 8-quart XL 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker.

You will also need:

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Two large mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Forks to shred the cooked pork

Explore More Instant Pot & Ninja Foodi Delights

Don’t forget to explore more of our delicious Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi recipes!

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a 5-Star rating in the recipe card, and if you really loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Notes:

For even more tenderness, let the meat rest for at least 15 minutes after cooking before shredding. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more succulent and flavorful pulled pork.

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