This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Turns Weeknight Chaos Into Legendary Sandwiches (In Under an Hour)

You could slow-cook pork all day, or you could press a button and become a dinner hero before your playlist ends. This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe hits that perfect trifecta: big flavor, minimal effort, zero drama. It’s the kind of meal that makes people think you marinated a secret spice blend for 24 hours.

Spoiler: you didn’t. You just played smart, used pressure, and kept the kitchen clean enough to pass the “unexpected guest” test.

What Makes This Recipe Awesome

Fast without tasting rushed: Pressure cooking turns tough pork into shreddable gold in about an hour.
Big flavor, simple ingredients: Pantry spices + a touch of acidity = BBQ-level results without fancy sauces.
Versatile AF: Pile it on buns, tacos, salads, bowls, or just eat it straight from the pot. No judgment.
Foolproof: The Instant Pot manages heat and moisture, so you won’t accidentally make pork jerky.
Meal-prep friendly: It reheats like a champ and only gets better after a night in the fridge.

Ingredients

3–4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed of excess fat
2 tablespoons brown sugar (light or dark)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for mild heat)
1/2 cup chicken broth (or water)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup barbecue sauce (plus more for serving)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado, canola, or light olive oil)
For serving: buns or tortillas, coleslaw, pickles, extra BBQ sauce

Instructions

Cut and season: Slice the pork shoulder into 3–4 large chunks for faster, even cooking.
Mix brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, black pepper, and cayenne. Rub all over the pork like you mean it.
Sauté for flavor (optional but clutch): Set Instant Pot to Sauté, add oil, and brown pork pieces 2–3 minutes per side. Work in batches so you actually sear, not steam.
Remove to a plate.
Deglaze: Pour in chicken broth and scrape the browned bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Those bits? Free flavor.
Make the braising mix: Stir in apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and barbecue sauce.
Return pork to the pot, nestling pieces into the liquid.
Pressure cook: Seal the lid, set to High Pressure for 45 minutes for 3–4 lb total pork. If you cut pieces very large or kept the roast whole, go 60 minutes.
Natural release: Let pressure release naturally for 10–15 minutes, then quick-release the rest. This keeps the meat ultra-juicy.
Shred and sauce: Transfer pork to a large bowl and shred with two forks.
Skim excess fat from the pot juices. Add enough cooking liquid and extra BBQ sauce to coat meat to your liking. Taste and adjust salt, vinegar, or sauce.
Serve: Load onto buns or tortillas with coleslaw and pickles.
Or keep it low-carb with bowls, salads, or lettuce wraps. Your kitchen, your rules.

Storage Instructions

Fridge: Store in airtight containers with some of the cooking liquid for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Portion into freezer bags (flattened for quick thaw) and freeze up to 3 months. Label like a pro.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water until steamy.
Microwave works too—cover and stir halfway.
Make-ahead tip: Cook, shred, and chill overnight. The flavors marry and, IMO, day-two is peak pulled pork.

Why This is Good for You

Protein power: Pork shoulder brings high-quality protein for muscle repair and staying full longer.
Balanced macros: Pair with slaw and a whole-grain bun or roasted veggies for a legit, balanced plate.
Smarter calories: Using pressure cooking reduces the need for heavy fats; flavor comes from spices and acidity, not just oil.
Flexible for goals: Going low-carb? Skip the bun.
Want more fiber? Add beans, slaw, or sweet potatoes.

Don’t Make These Errors

Skipping the sear: It’s optional, but the Maillard magic adds depth you can taste. Two minutes of effort, huge payoff.
Forgetting to deglaze: Those browned bits are gold.
Also, failure to deglaze risks the dreaded Burn notice. Not fun.
Undercooking or overcooking: Too short and it won’t shred; too long without liquid and it dries out. Stick to the timing and keep enough liquid.
Not resting before shredding: The 10–15 minute natural release lets juices redistribute.
Don’t rush the good stuff.
Drowning in sauce: Add sauce to taste, but let the pork shine. You made flavor—don’t smother it into anonymity.

Different Ways to Make This

Carolina-style: Swap most of the BBQ sauce for more apple cider vinegar and a touch of mustard. Tangy, sharp, incredible on slaw.
Tex-Mex: Add 1–2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 teaspoon oregano to the rub.
Serve in tacos with pico, lime, and avocado.
Korean-inspired: Mix 2 tablespoons gochujang and 1 tablespoon soy sauce into the braising liquid. Finish with sesame seeds and scallions.
Hawaiian vibes: Replace broth with pineapple juice + water (half and half). Finish with a splash of soy and serve over rice.
Low-sugar: Skip brown sugar and use a no-sugar BBQ sauce.
Still awesome, still saucy.

FAQ

Can I use pork loin instead of pork shoulder?

Pork loin is lean and can dry out under pressure. You can use it in a pinch, but reduce cook time to 25–30 minutes and add extra liquid and sauce at the end. Shoulder (Boston butt) is the best cut for tender, shreddable results.

Do I need to trim the fat?

Trim large, thick caps, but keep some fat for moisture and flavor.

You can always skim rendered fat from the juices after cooking.

What if I get a Burn notice?

Hit Cancel, quick-release, open carefully, and scrape the bottom clean. Add 1/4–1/2 cup more liquid, ensure there’s nothing stuck, and reseal. Deglazing properly at the start prevents this.

How do I make it spicy?

Increase cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon, add a diced chipotle in adobo to the liquid, or finish with a spicy BBQ sauce.

Choose your heat level like a responsible adult.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—just don’t exceed the pot’s max fill line. Keep the cook time the same; pressure cooking is about thickness, not volume. You may need to sear in batches.

What’s the best way to serve for a crowd?

Keep the shredded pork on Warm with extra cooking liquid in the pot.

Set out buns, slaw, pickles, sauces, and let people build. It’s a DIY sandwich bar that basically runs itself (FYI: crowd-pleaser).

Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely. Cook, shred, and refrigerate with some juices.

Reheat gently and finish with a splash of vinegar or sauce to wake up the flavors.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, if your BBQ sauce and Worcestershire are gluten-free. Always check labels to be safe.

Wrapping Up

This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe gives you slow-smoked vibes without the smoke, the waiting, or the stress. It’s weeknight-fast, party-worthy, and flexible enough to fit tacos, bowls, or the classic slaw-stacked sandwich.

Keep the spice blend handy, stash a batch in the freezer, and you’ve got a cheat code for hectic nights. One press of a button, and dinner goes from “what’s for” to “why is this so good?”