This Instant Pot pulled pork shoulder is fall-apart tender, absolutely delicious, and really easy to make. Pulled pork is an excellent entree, or a great way to meal prep pork to use in multiple meals throughout the week. Show
This post may contain affiliate links. Read more about it in the privacy policy. This Instant Pot pork shoulder roast is sure to become a new family favorite. Pressure cooked pork shoulder becomes so tender it practically falls apart on its own. The succulent meat is a great alternative to a traditional roast dinner, and perfect for easy meals. I always use pork shoulder for pulled pork. Pork shoulder has fat marbled in between the meat, which makes it really tender. In fact, pork shoulder is often advertised as "pulled pork meat" on the packaging. I love my traditional Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, but this Instant Pot version is much faster, and tastes just as good. There's plenty of room to customize the dish by using your favorite seasoning. 🥘 More INSTANT POT RECIPES From Hint of Healthy Why you'll love it
IngredientsPork shoulder: Pork shoulder is the best meat for pulled pork. You can find pork shoulder joints at any butcher's, or in most supermarkets. Pork shoulder joints are often advertised as "pulled pork meat". Water: Water helps to deglaze the Instant Pot, and prevents the meat from getting burnt at the bottom of the pot. You can also use chicken stock or vegetable stock instead. Seasoning: Any seasoning can be used. In this recipe I have used a simple combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and cumin. See the Variations section below for more flavor options! Olive oil: Use some olive oil or vegetable oil to sear the meat before pressure cooking. InstructionsYou can find full instructions + ingredient measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of this page Pulled pork might be easier to make than you'd think. First, sear the meat on all sides on SAUTE mode until the meat is gently browned. This will start the Maillard reaction, and adds a lot of flavor to the pork. Add water to the Instant Pot, and use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom. Make sure that no pieces are stuck to the pot. Season the meat, and seal the lid. Cook on PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL setting for 45 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before you perform a quick release. Strain the liquid to remove any chunks of fat, and pull the pork using two forks. I like to do this on a cutting board or plate, as you can then easily scrape off excess pieces of fat. Serve the pulled pork immediately, or store it in the Instant Pot until you're ready to eat. Use the KEEP WARM setting if needed. 💡 TIP! If the meat is stuck to the bottom of the Instant Pot, or if you're not using enough liquid, the Instant Pot could overheat. If this happens, I have made a simple guide for how to deal with the Instant Pot burn message. Top tips
Serving suggestionsServe pulled pork as an entree, or use it as an ingredient in other dishes like casseroles, sandwiches or soups. I usually serve it as a main, paired with any of these sides:
VariationsBBQ pulled pork: Add BBQ sauce. You can also replace the seasoning with a BBQ spice rub, or any seasoning that you like. I like to add a little sauce before cooking, and then adding more sauce to the pork after pulling it. This ensures that the meat has a really nice BBQ flavor. Spicy pulled pork: Add some cayenne pepper, chili powder or red pepper flakes. You can also add some hot sauce or chili paste. Mexican style: Use your favorite Mexican seasoning, like store bought taco seasoning or my favorite homemade Fajita Seasoning. You can also add some jarred salsa to the pork, or enchilada sauce. 🥘 More INSTANT POT RECIPES From Hint of Healthy LeftoversStore leftover pulled pork in a sealed container in a refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat the meat in a skillet or microwave, and serve it warm as an entree. Alternatively, use it in other dishes throughout the week. You can also freeze pulled pork for up to 6 months. Frozen cooked meat tends to be a little dry when defrosted, but pork shoulder tends to stay quite tender. I love to add frozen pulled pork to vegetable soups or casseroles for some easy added protein. Pulled pork is a great staple. I use it in sandwiches, salads, casseroles or a variety of other meals. This recipe is perfect for preparing a large amount of cooked pork to be used later. Frequently asked questionsCan you overcook pulled pork in the Instant Pot? Although it's possible to overcook pork shoulder, if the meat isn't tender, this is usually a sign that it hasn't been cooked for long enough. Pork shoulder can be cooked for very long periods of time, even in the pressure cooker. A 3-6 pound pork shoulder roast needs between 45-90 minutes of pressure cooking, depending on weight, however the meat will stay perfectly fine even if you were to double that time. How much water do I put in my Instant Pot for pork? According to the Instant Pot manual, you should always use at least 1 cup of water or other thin liquid like chicken stock. Is pork butt and pork shoulder the same? Pork butt, pork shoulder and pork leg all come from the same areas of the pig, and are quite similar in texture. They are all fatty cuts of pork, and well suited for making pulled pork. Does pork loin work for pulled pork? Pork loin is much leaner than pork shoulder or other cuts of pork more commonly used in pulled pork. Although you can pressure cook pork loin as well, pulled pork loin won't be as tender, and will not easily fall apart on its own. I recommend only using pork shoulder or pork butt for pulled pork. You might also like these recipes
If you make this recipe, make sure to post a photo to Instagram with #hintofhealthy! RecipeInstant Pot Pulled Pork ShoulderThis easy Instant Pot pulled pork shoulder recipe is the perfect pork shoulder roast made in your pressure cooker. A great option for easy weeknight dinners, and a fantastic way to meal prep pork shoulder. Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 1 hr Course Dinner Cuisine American Servings 6 Calories 208 kcal
Calories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 27gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 93mgSodium: 302mgPotassium: 485mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 2mg Keyword easy, healthy, instant pot, keto, pork shoulder, pulled pork, shredded pork Can you overcook pulled pork in Instant Pot?While it is possible to overcook pulled pork in the Instant Pot, it's very unlikely if you are using pork shoulder or butt. The pork should get more tender the longer it cooks. If using pork loin, which is leaner, you can overcook it.
How long should I cook a 10 lb pork shoulder in the Instant Pot?Place trivet in pressure cooker with cup of water. Place pork shoulder in Instant Pot. Place lid on top with pressure valve set to sealing. Set to pressure cook on high for 90 minutes.
Why is my pork shoulder tough Instant Pot?Cooking Time
Note: If you cook the meat 60 minutes and it's still tough and not fork tender, it is NOT done cooking! Usually, when a meat is tough it's often considered “overcooked,” (think steak or a pork chop) with cuts of meat like pork butt, you need to cook it LONGER.
How long does it take to pressure cook an 8 lb pork shoulder?Cook time may vary if you have a very large roast or don't cut it up. I have cooked a 6 pound, 7 pound, 8 pound, 9 pound and 11 pound pork roast for the same amount of time, 90 minutes, and the meat was perfectly tender.
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