Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 4 lbpork butt. 3 lb if boneless)
bone-in (or pork shoulder roast
- 2 tbsppork rub mix
our homemade recipe our store-bought
- 2 tbspavocado oil or olive oil
- ½ cliquid
chicken broth, beef broth, apple or pineapple juice
- ½ cbbq sauce
- 1 tspliquid smoke
optional
Directions
- 1
Preheat the Instant Pot to Saute High and add 2 Tbsp of oil to the pot.
- 2
Cut the pork roast into 4 large pieces. If it's boneless pork that's really easy to get similar-sized hunks of meat. If you have bone-in pork roast you can do this one of two ways: either leave the bone attached to one of the large chunks of meat OR carefully cut the bone off of the meat.
- 3
Sprinkle the pork with the rub mix. Press the rub into the pork with clean hands to help make sure the seasoning stays on the pork butt and doesn't just fall to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
- 4
Sear the pork roast pieces on each side for 3-4 minutes until brown. It'll be a snug fit in the pot, but all pork pieces will fit. Do not peek at the pork until you're ready to flip it over, you won't want to keep it from browning to a nice crisp. And be sure not to fry it on each side for too long, otherwise, the pork rub will start to burn.
- 5
You'll need to deglaze the pot to avoid getting the burn signal during cooking. Press the Cancel button to stop the pot from cooking before you deglaze. To do this, remove the pork pieces and set them aside on a plate. Add 1/2 cup of liquid like chicken broth, beef broth, apple juice, or pineapple juice, and scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pot.
- 6
Add the 1 tsp of liquid smoke now if you're using it (optional).
- 7
Add the pork back to the Instant Pot and pour 1/2 cup+ of BBQ sauce over the top.
- 8
Turn the pot to Manual High for 60 minutes. Do a Natural release for 10 minutes before doing a quick release of the remaining pressure in the pot. Once the pin drops, you can open your lid.
- 9
Let the pork cool down for 5-10 minutes before shredding it with forks, meat claws, or a mixer. Enjoy! Serve as a sandwich with a side of closeslaw, as sliders, or on lettuce wraps.
Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
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About this Recipe
Craving succulent, fall-apart pulled pork but don't have hours to smoke or slow roast? This Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork delivers all the flavor and tenderness you dream of in a fraction of the time, perfect for any busy weeknight or weekend gathering.
Why This Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork Works So Well
The secret to this incredibly juicy and tender BBQ pulled pork lies in a few key steps. First, coating the pork butt in a savory pork rub infuses deep flavor, followed by a quick sear that locks in all those delicious juices. Then, the pressure cooker does its magic, transforming tough cuts into melt-in-your-mouth perfection remarkably fast.
What you'll love about this recipe is the incredible depth of flavor and texture. You can expect perfectly shredded pork, incredibly moist and rich with a savory, slightly smoky barbecue taste. The pressure cooking method ensures every strand is infused with flavor and remains wonderfully tender, never dry. This dish is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to achieve restaurant-quality results at home with minimal fuss and impressive efficiency.
Customization & Variations
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry and preferences. You can use either a bone-in (4 lb) or boneless (3 lb) pork butt or pork shoulder roast, adjusting the weight accordingly. Feel free to experiment with different liquids like chicken broth, beef broth, apple juice, or even pineapple juice to subtly shift the flavor profile. For the rub, use your favorite homemade blend or a quality store-bought option, and the liquid smoke is optional if you desire a deeper, authentic smoky BBQ flavor without a smoker. Avocado oil or olive oil both work perfectly for searing.
This versatile BBQ pulled pork is perfect for casual family dinners, game day parties, or potlucks. Serve it piled high on soft buns with your favorite coleslaw, or enjoy it alongside cornbread and baked beans for a complete, satisfying meal.