This Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe yields tender, shredded pork from a pork butt or pork shoulder roast in an electric pressure cooker in about 2 hours. Use the flavorful meat for pulled pork sandwiches, carnitas, nachos, or served over mashed potatoes for a simple family dinner everyone will enjoy.
Table of Contents
- Ingredients
- Best Cut of Pork for Pulled Pork
- How to Season Pork Shoulder
- How to make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
- How Long to Cook Pulled Pork in Instant Pot
- Variations
- How to Store Leftovers
- Cooking Tips
- FAQ
- Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
I made pulled pork in the Instant Pot for the first time on New Year’s Day and it quickly became one of my favorite Instant Pot recipes. The result is fork-tender pork that melts in your mouth after a fraction of the time a slow cooker requires.
I keep the seasoning simple so leftovers can be adapted to different dishes. I often serve BBQ sauce and homemade coleslaw on brioche buns for sandwiches, then repurpose leftovers for carnitas, pulled pork nachos, or pork chili verde with different spices.
Ingredients
Everything you need is easy to find:
- Pork butt — a 6 to 8 pound roast works well
- Water — or use Coke, Dr. Pepper, dark soda, broth, or beer for extra flavor
- Sea salt
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Ground black pepper
- Yellow or white onion — or use onion powder or dried minced onion if you prefer
- Garlic cloves
- Barbecue sauce — to add after pressure cooking
Best Cut of Pork for Pulled Pork
The most common choice for pulled pork is the pork butt (Boston butt) or pork shoulder roast. These cuts are well marbled and have enough fat to keep the meat juicy and flavorful as the connective tissue breaks down. You can use bone-in or boneless—both yield excellent results.
How to Season Pork Shoulder
Make a simple dry rub by combining sea salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper in a small bowl. Rub the mixture all over the pork so it’s well coated before cooking.
How to make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
For even cooking, cut the roast into 2–4 large pieces so it fits comfortably in the pot. This helps the roast reach pressure more quickly and cook uniformly, but it’s optional.
Season each piece with the dry rub, rubbing the spices into the meat. Place the pork in the Instant Pot, add large pieces of onion and whole garlic cloves, then pour in about 1 1/2 cups of water, soda, broth, or beer.
Using a dark soda like Dr. Pepper or Coke adds extra tenderness and a subtle sweetness. If you prefer, use beef or chicken broth, apple juice, or apple cider vinegar for different flavor profiles.
How Long to Cook Pulled Pork in Instant Pot
Because pork shoulder is a thick, tough cut, you need enough time under high pressure to break down fat and connective tissue. A good rule of thumb is about 15 minutes per pound, but many cooks find a consistent method is best.
My recommended method: pressure cook on high for 90 minutes, then allow a natural pressure release. This timing consistently yields fork-tender meat, even with roasts ranging from 6 to 11 pounds when cut into large pieces.
You can cook a frozen pork roast in the Instant Pot, but it will take longer to reach pressure and may increase overall cook time.
When the pork is done, it should shred easily with forks. Drain excess cooking liquid before serving or simply shake off liquid from the shredded meat.
Variations
Change the flavor profile to make carnitas by using a Mexican-style spice mix, chili powder, and lime juice. Leftovers can be crisped in the oven and topped with shredded cheese and chips for nachos. If adding BBQ sauce during cooking, place it on top of the roast rather than mixing it in to avoid scorching the sugars. You can also add brown sugar for a deeper barbecue flavor.
Swap the cooking liquid for dark soda, broth, apple juice, or a splash of apple cider vinegar for different results—sodas help tenderize due to their acidity and add subtle sweetness.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 6 months. Reheat gently in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Leftovers are great in sandwiches, tacos, nachos, or served on their own.
Cooking Tips
Tips for the best Instant Pot pulled pork:
- Make a simple dry rub ahead of time for consistent flavor; add BBQ sauce after cooking if desired.
- Cut large roasts into a few large pieces for even cooking and a faster time to pressure.
- Searing isn’t necessary—skipping it still produces tender, flavorful results.
- Use a flavorful liquid (soda, broth, or beer) rather than plain water for more depth.
- Allow a natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes for roasts; natural release can take 20 minutes or more.
FAQ
If the pork is still tough, it needs more cooking time. Return the meat to the pressure cooker and cook an additional 15 minutes at high pressure, then check again. It’s hard to overcook pork shoulder in the Instant Pot—longer cooking will usually make it more tender.
Yes. If the roast is large and not cut into pieces, it will take longer to reach pressure and may need more total cooking time. Cutting the roast into pieces shortens both pressure time and cook time.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Equipment
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Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 6-pound pork shoulder roast (pork butt)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ cups water (or Coke, Dr Pepper, or broth)
- 1 yellow or white onion, cut into large pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
Instructions
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Cut the roast into 3 large pieces. Season all over with sea salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper.
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Pour 1 ½ cups water (or your chosen liquid) into the Instant Pot, then add the roast, onion, and garlic.
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Close the lid, move the valve to sealing, and select PRESSURE COOK on high for 90 minutes.
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Allow a natural release. When the pin drops, open the lid, shred the pork with forks, drain or shake off excess liquid, and serve with BBQ sauce if desired.
Notes
Natural release typically takes about 20 minutes or more. Use quick release after 15–20 minutes if you need to save time.
Using soda as the cooking liquid adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
This easy Instant Pot pulled pork is a family favorite and works wonderfully for game day or weeknight dinners. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Happy cooking,
Recipe first published in 2018 and updated in 2023