Instant Pot Pulled Pork is a pork shoulder that has cooked long enough to become super tender, and it has a ton of flavor! Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork is made in a fraction of the normal time!
Delicious pulled pork made in the Instant Pot is good on tortillas, buns, and over your favorite starch (potatoes, rice, etc.).
Originally published on Jan 15, 2018
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
You may not think that pulled Pork made in a pressure cooker would be that great, but let me tell you that it is awesome!
This is an Instant Pot Dump and Start recipe so it is very easy, and takes a fraction of the time that pulled pork normally takes with other cooking methods.
You can make this pulled pork recipe just the way you like it, from spicy to a more mild and sweet barbecue.
The Steps to Make Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
Start with a pork shoulder roast that you have trimmed most of the fat off of. Then cut it into 1-pound chunks. Pictured is a 3-pound roast, so I cut it in 3 equal pieces. This will ensure even cooking, and faster results. Use whatever size roast you have, but cut it into the 1-pound chunks.
Rub the spice rub mixture onto all sides of the pieces generously, and place in the pot on top of the onions and liquid (in this case, it's Dr. Pepper® pop).
When finished cooking, remove the pieces of meat to a bowl and use 2 forks to shred the meat. It will be very tender. Then season a little more, add back some of the cooking liquid, and serve (with your favorite bbq sauce for even more flavor).
How to Serve Instant Pot Pulled Pork
• Make a fabulous Instant Pot Pulled Pork sandwich, served on a soft kaiser roll. Add any toppings you like, or just the meat.
• You can also serve over potatoes or rice.
• Make pulled pork tacos!
• Try Pulled Pork on Mac and Cheese, it's amazing!
The meat is shredded after cooking and can be used for pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, served over rice, or with potatoes.
Instant Pot Barbecue Beef Roast
Instant Pot Simple Pot Roast
Instant Pot Beef Guinness Stew
Instant Pot Bone-In Ham
Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
If you make this delicious pressure cooker pulled pork recipe, please leave me a comment below. Let me know how you liked it!
Instant Pot Pulled Pork is delicious and super tender pork shoulder. The meat can be used for pulled pork sandwiches, tacos, served over rice, or with potatoes.
- 3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Smoked Paprika
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 3 teaspoons Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoons Cumin
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Powder (optional), for heat
- 3-4 lbs Pork Shoulder Roast (Pork Butt) Fat trimmed off, and cut in 1lb chunks
- 1 Onion, cut in eighths
- 1 (12 oz) can Dr. Pepper or Cola (or 1 ½ cups chicken stock or water)
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon Salt (or more to taste)
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Mix the spices together for the rub. Remove 2 Tablespoons of the mix and set aside for later.
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Rub all sides of the pork roast chunks generously with the spice rub. Set meat aside.
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Cut the onion into 8 pieces (cut in half, then cut each half into 4 pieces). Put the onion into the inner cooking pot of the pressure cooker.
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Pour the can of pop (or water/broth) into the the pot over the onion*.
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Set the pork chunks on top of the onions. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the pork.
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Place the lid on and lock into place. Set the steam release knob to the sealing position.
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Press the Pressure Cook/Manual Button (or use dial) and then the +/- button (or dial) to choose 65 minutes. High Pressure.
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After the cooking time has finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 15 minutes. Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position (or push button) to manually Quick Release the remaining pressure/steam.
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When the pin in the lid drops down, open it and remove the meat to a large bowl. Use a slotted spoon to get the onions out and add to the meat. Use two forks to shred the meat.
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Sprinkle the reserved spice rub and ½ tsp salt into the meat. Mix well. Taste and add more salt and/or brown sugar, if desired.
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Use a large spoon (or a fat separator) to skim off the fat from the cooking liquid that is still in the pot. Then add ½ - 1 cup of the liquid to the meat and mix in. You can add more of the liquid to the meat if you like it more moist.
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Serve on buns, or over rice or potatoes, or in tortillas.
*To add a more spicy kick, add a chipotle in adobo sauce added in with the cooking liquid.
Resources to Make Pulled Pork Recipe in the Instant Pot
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Larissa
Best pulled pork recipe I've tried!! I followed the recipe/directions (thanks for the details), but doubled the meat. Because of this, I made 1 1/2 batch of spice mixture, and used a little extra coke. I increased the time to 70 mins because of the extra meat. It was amazing! Probably didn't need the extra coke because it had plenty of juices by the end. It was not too sweet, and had a good smoky flavor. Definitely will be making this again in the future!
Sandy
That's great, Larissa! I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for your review!
Carolyn
The recipe looks great! Has anyone tried making it with chicken stock instead of soda? I plan to make it tonight.
Sandy
It's delicious with any liquid you plan to use. The soda just adds a sweetness.
Susan
I made it last night with chicken stock, it was delicious ! I also added some bbq sauce at the end.
Kelly
How long should I cook a 2 lb pork butt? The hubby and I don't eat a lot!
Sandy
Cut it in two equal pieces and cook for the amount of time in the recipe. It's so good!
Tamra Young
Just made this recipe in my new IP. Shoulder did come out very tender, but there wasn't much flavor. Based on all the great reviews I think I did something wrong. I used chicken stock, so maybe that was the problem. I would make again, but I'll try it with Dr. Cola next time around and see how it turns out. Thank you for posting.
Sandy
Hmmm, well the Dr Pepper adds a sweetness. Also, the spice rub at the end is an important part of the process.
Texas Alan
New to the Instant Pot, but fairly experienced with the smoker - this is the best pulled pork I've ever made!
Sandy
Really! That's so awesome! Thank you for letting me know!
Mike Barnes
Sorry,meant to rate Five Stars!!!
Mike Barnes
I declared myself a genius after making this pulled pork. Can’t even bring myself to order it at a restauarant as I am usually disappointed when I compare it to this recipe. This is a perfect meal for my family and I have made larger batches and frozen some so it keeps longer. Love the recipe. You are actually the genius, but I’ll still keep taking credit as I serve this to family and friends!
Sandy
Hi Mike! No worries, you can be the genius! I'm so happy you like this recipe, and I appreciate your review!!