Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

6 to 8
A pressure cooker provides a nifty shortcut to perfect pulled pork. This recipe calls for braising the meat in a dark soda like Dr Pepper or Coca-Cola, and the results are lush and tender — savory, slightly sweet and tangy. Once the pork is done, you can customize it to your taste using your favorite barbecue and hot sauces. Adding lots of black pepper and a few dashes of Southern-style hot sauce, like Crystal, Louisiana or Tabasco, is a very good idea. Like many braises, the pork improves overnight and can be cooked up to three days in advance; shred and warm it gently on the stovetop before tossing it with sauce and serving. The pork makes satisfying sandwiches on soft rolls (try coleslaw as a topping), but it could also be used in tacos or served over grits. (You can find the slow-cooker version of this recipe here.)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons hot or sweet smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    plus more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    plus more to taste
  • 3 to 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder

    trimmed of skin and excess fat and cut into 4 large chunks

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 yellow onion

    chopped

  • 1 can dark soda

    like Dr Pepper, root beer, cola or birch beer, 12-ounce

  • 1/2 to 1 1/2 cups homemade or store-bought barbecue sauce
  • Hot sauce

    optional

Directions

  1. 1

    Mix the garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the pork and turn to coat in the spice mix. Put the oil in a 6- or 8-quart electric pressure cooker and turn on the sauté setting to warm the oil. (Use the “normal” heat setting if your pressure cooker has that option.) Working in batches, add the pork and brown on two sides, about 2 minutes per side. If the bottom of the pan gets too dark or you get a “hot” or “burn” warning, turn the heat down to “less,” if your pot has that option, or turn it off entirely and allow the pork to continue searing. Turn it back on if the pot cools too much.

  2. 2

    Add the onion to the pot. Add the soda and stir to thoroughly scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the pot. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for one hour. Turn off the pressure cooker and allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. Open the lid. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, remove the pork and onion bits to a large serving bowl. Using two forks, coarsely shred the meat. Add 1/2 cup barbecue sauce and a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid to moisten. (Discard remaining cooking liquid.) Taste and add salt, pepper, hot sauce, and more barbecue sauce as you like. Serve with soft rolls and extra sauce on the side.

Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

120 min6 to 8

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About this Recipe

Craving incredibly tender, flavor-packed pulled pork without waiting all day? This Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork recipe offers a brilliant shortcut, delivering rich, savory, slightly sweet, and tangy results in a fraction of the time.

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to this luscious pulled pork lies in braising the meat in a dark soda, like Dr Pepper or Coca-Cola, within the pressure cooker. This unique technique tenderizes the pork to perfection, infusing it with a subtle sweetness and depth that sets it apart. The convenience of the pressure cooker means you achieve that slow-cooked texture and flavor in just two hours, a testament to its efficiency.

What to Expect

Prepare for a truly satisfying meal. You'll enjoy pork that is incredibly lush and tender, practically melting in your mouth. The flavor profile is a delightful balance of savory richness, a hint of sweetness from the soda, and a tangy finish, especially once customized with your favorite barbecue sauce. This dish is designed to be deeply comforting and wonderfully versatile.

Customization & Variations

Once the pork is cooked, you have complete freedom to make it your own. Experiment with your favorite homemade or store-bought barbecue sauces to achieve your desired flavor. For an extra kick, we highly recommend adding a few dashes of Southern-style hot sauce, such as Crystal, Louisiana, or Tabasco, and a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper to taste. These simple additions can elevate the dish significantly.

Serving & Context

This versatile Pressure Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is perfect for a variety of occasions. It makes truly satisfying sandwiches piled high on soft rolls—consider topping them with fresh coleslaw for added crunch. Alternatively, use the pulled pork to fill delicious tacos or serve it over creamy grits for a comforting meal. Like many braised dishes, the flavors improve even more overnight, making it an excellent make-ahead option.

Frequently Asked Questions