Instant Pot Pulled Pork is tender and flavorful pork shoulder (or butt) cooked up quickly in your electric pressure cooker. The pork meat comes out fall-apart tender and makes amazing BBQ pulled pork sandwiches or tacos.
This is a complete guide to making pulled pork in your Instant Pot- everything from which cut of pork to buy, and how much to buy, to trimming, seasoning and cooking!
If you have a pork butt but want to use it in other ways, check out these two recipes: Instant Pot Carnitas or Instant Pot Pork Roast.
Also, if you love BBQ in your Instant Pot definitely make these Instant Pot Boneless Pork Ribs or Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken!! You will not regret it!
Table of Contents
Is it Pork Butt or Pork Shoulder
So what do your buy at the store to make pulled pork: pork butt, pork shoulder, or Boston butt? Bone-in or boneless?
Buying any of these options will result in the same flavorful pulled pork. Butt, shoulder and Boston butt are pretty much the same thing.. confusing, isn’t it!?
All three are actually cut from the shoulder, hence “pork shoulder”. The pork “butt”, also known as Boston butt, comes from the same area but is a little higher on the foreleg.
Buying boneless or bone-in is up to you. Both will cook perfectly fine in your Instant Pot. Since you will be cutting the pork butt into cubes, you could cut the bone out if you prefer, but it is not totally necessary.
How Much Pork to Buy
If you are planning on feeding a crowd or just a couple people it is important to know how many pounds of pork to buy. They can vary anywhere from 3 lbs up to 18 lbs. The best way to calculate is 3 people (adults) per pound of pork.
How to Make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
We are going to start by trimming the pork butt. Since we are not cooking “low and slow”, like in smoking, the fat will not render all the way down. The last thing you want in your pulled pork is a big chunk of jiggly fat. Gross.
Trim as much of the white fat that you can from the outside of the butt. Then cut the meat down into 3 inch chunks. If you come across more fat or connective tissue within the meat, cut that out as well.
In a small bowl mix together your dry rub seasoning. Coat the pork butt pieces completely with all of the seasoning.
Pour 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, and 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar into the Instant Pot. Place the metal trivet over the liquid. Put the seasoned pork pieces on the trivet.
Close the pot and set to cook for 40 minutes.
Do a natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
Pulling Your Pork
Now you will want to “pull” your pork, which is another way of saying shred the pork.
Since the meat will be so tender it is easy to do with two forks. Another easy way to shred meat (especially chicken) is by using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. That makes really quick work of shredding!!
Serving Pulled Pork
We like to eat our Instant Pot Pulled Pork on buns with some KC Style BBQ sauce and coleslaw. It also makes amazing tacos or grilled cheeses.
BTW, this Instant Pot Potato Salad makes a killer side dish for pulled pork sandwiches!
Storing
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
You can freeze leftover pulled pork very easily!! Place the cooled pork in a freezer safe bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months.
Other Great Instant Pot Recipes
For more information please see the list of Bone in picnic roast instant pot
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