Instant Pot Pulled Pork

When was the last time you made mouthwatering pulled pork at home without hardly any effort? This foolproof Instant Pot method delivers tender, flavorful pulled pork in a fraction of the time, ready for tacos, burritos, sandwiches, and more!

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What makes this recipe work?

Sometimes, simplicity is the key to perfection, and that’s the case for this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe. With just a handful of well-chosen ingredients, you’ll wind up with fantastic flavor without all the fuss.

Pressure-cooking the pork not only slashes the cooking time but also locks in moisture, ensuring the pork is fall-apart tender and perfectly seasoned every time. 

Why you will love this recipe 

Cooking pulled pork is easy. What isn’t so easy is waiting for it to be done. In a slow cooker, you’ll need to plan up to 8 hours in advance for the tenderest meat, but you get similar results when you cook a pork butt in a pressure cooker much quicker.

But how long to cook pulled pork in an Instant Pot? All you need is about an hour for this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe, giving you much more flexibility when it comes to planning dinner!

Ingredients that you will need

For this pulled pork Instant Pot style recipe, you’ll need:

• Garlic
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar 
• Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, canned and optional
• Vegetable oil
• Pork butt roast (Boston butt)

Ingredient notes

Even when you trim the pork butt, the marbling of fat throughout the cut provides excellent flavor and keeps the meat from drying out as it cooks. If you don’t want to use a pork butt, a pork shoulder or a bone-in pork roast make good alternatives. 

While you can skip the Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, they really add a deep, smokey flavor to the pulled pork that works particularly well if you are going to use the meat in a Tex-Mex style dish.

How to make Instant Pot Pulled Pork Butt

To prepare the sauce:

1. Chop the garlic and place in a small mixing bowl. 
2. Pour the soy sauce and brown sugar into the bowl.
3. Whisk the sauce until the sugar dissolves. Stir in the chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and set aside for later. 

To sear the pork butt:

1. Set the “Saute” setting on the Instant Pot to HIGH.
2. While the Instant Pot is heating up, trim any excess fat from your pork butt. 
3. Add the vegetable oil to the hot Instant Pot.
4. When the oil is hot, sear all sides of the pork butt. Turn off the Instant Pot. 
5. Add the sauce to the Instant Pot. 
6. Cook the pork at HIGH pressure for 60 minutes and let the Instant Pot release naturally.
7. Remove the pork and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the Instant Pot and stir well to coat the meat with the sauce. 

Recipe variation for Pulled Pork Instant Pot Style 

No pressure cooker, no problem. If you have the time, you can make this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe in a slow cooker. 

1. Prep the pork butt and sauce as above and set the sauce off to the side. 
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy, bottomed pan over medium heat. 
3. Sear the pork butt on all sides and transfer it to the slow cooker. 
4. Pour the sauce and chipotle peppers over the seared pork butt and put the lid on the slow cooker.
5. Cook for 6 to 8 hours on LOW or until the meat is very tender and easily pulls apart.
6. Serve it over rice, on a bun with barbecue sauce, or in tacos.

What to serve this with Instant Pot Pulled Pork Butt

Whether you turn this recipe into Instant Pot Pulled Pork tacos or serve it as Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches, a few homemade toppings will make it even better. Here are three options:

Pico de Gallo. Made with fresh tomatoes, pungent white onions, spicy jalapeno peppers, and fresh cilantro, Pico de Gallo will brighten up the richness of the Instant Pot Pulled Pork tacos or burritos. This classic recipe for Pico de Gallo from Pancho’s is super simple to make. 

Guacamole. Creamy guacamole is great on pulled pork nachos or in a burrito. This copycat recipe for Chipotle Mexican Grill Guacamole uses simple ingredients for the freshest guac you’ve ever had. 

Coleslaw. Heap coleslaw on your Instant Pot pulled pork sandwiches for a bit of extra crunch. Houston’s coleslaw goes beyond the basics by adding buttermilk, sour cream, fresh green onions, and prepared horseradish for an extra zing. 

How to store the leftovers 

To keep your pulled pork in the fridge, spread it out on a baking pan to bring it to room temperature quickly. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and put it in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze it in freezer-safe food bags. 

The pulled pork will last three to four days in the fridge and a month or more in the freezer. Thaw the pulled pork in the fridge before reheating. 

What is the best way to reheat this? 

One of the most reliable methods for warming up pulled pork is in a 250°F oven. Spread the pulled pork on the bottom of a baking dish. Add about a half-cup of apple juice, BBQ sauce, or water per pound of meat and cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Reheat the meat until hot, 30 to 40 minutes.

For quick reheating, microwave it for 30 seconds to 2-3 minutes, depending on the amount.

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