Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is one of the easiest and most versatile meats. Make this pressure cooker pulled pork into a pulled pork sandwich with rainbow coleslaw and pineapple to make a truly delicious summer entertaining meal. 

[This recipe was originally posted in November 2018. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

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How will this pressure cooker pulled pork make your life easier?

This pulled pork is so easy. Throw it + salt + an onion + garlic into a pressure cooker/Instant Pot. Let it cook for about 60 minutes, then shred it to make lots of different dishes for the week.

Make it into pulled pork sandwiches. They’re great with BBQ sauce, this red wine vinegar slaw, and a thick slice of pineapple. Add it to tacos like these veggie tacos, or make it into a burrito bowl. Add it to a salad like this grapefruit & avocado salad or this beet & arugula salad. Or you can serve it with roasted vegetables.

What makes this pulled pork so good?

• Cooking spray
• Pork shoulder
• White onion 
• Garlic

How do I make pressure cooker pulled pork?

Cut a 2 lb pork shoulder into 2-3 pieces. Spray bottom of Instant Pot bowl with cooking spray. Place pork pieces in pressure cooker bowl, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add 1/2 whole white onion (ends chopped off) and 2 cloves of garlic then add 1 cup of water to bowl.

Expert Tip: Wipe oil around pressure cooker bowl if you don’t use cooking spray.

Expert Tip: Don’t brown meat before cooking. I’ve tried it both ways and didn’t notice a difference in the final product.

Cover with lid, and set to MEAT/STEW setting and set timer to 40 minutes. 

When timer goes off, open valve to quick release steam. Once steam is done releasing, open lid.

Expert Tip: Check doneness of meat by shredding with a fork. If meat breaks apart easily, it’s done, if not. Reseal lid and cook for another 10+ minutes.

Transfer meat to a bowl to shred. You can turn the Instant Pot back onto SAUTEE to reduce the sauce, and add to shredded meat. 

Refrigerate meat or add to a dish to eat immediately.

Expert Tips

• Wipe oil around pressure cooker bowl if you don’t use cooking spray.
• Don’t brown meat before cooking. I’ve tried it both ways and didn’t notice a difference in the final product.
• Check doneness of meat by shredding with a fork. If meat breaks apart easily, it’s done, if not. Reseal lid and cook for another 10+ minutes.

FAQ

How long should you cook pork in a pressure cooker?

4-5 lbs of pork shoulder should cook for about 40-50 minutes in a pressure cooker. Cook smaller cuts for less time. Other cuts of pork will have different cooking times. Google the specific cut you’re cooking for a better estimate.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

Fatty cuts of pork are great for pulled pork. Pork shoulder/Boston butt, and a picnic roast are all great options.

Do you have to put liquid in a pressure cooker?

Yes, it’ll help the cooker come up to pressure. It will also help keep whatever you’re making moist. A good rule of thumb for cooking meat is to add 1 c of water to it.

How can I repurpose this pulled pork?

• Make it into pulled pork sandwiches. They’re great with BBQ sauce, this red wine vinegar slaw, and a thick slice of pineapple
• Add it to tacos like these veggie tacos, or make it into a burrito bowl
• Add it to a salad like this grapefruit & avocado salad or this beet & arugula salad.
• Serve with roasted vegetables.

Did you make this pressure cooker pulled pork? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

Print Pin

5 from 8 votes

Instant Pot BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Pulled pork is one of the easiest and most versatile meats. Make this pressure cooker pulled pork into a pulled pork sandwich with rainbow coleslaw and pineapple to make a truly delicious summer entertaining meal. 

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings 12 sandwiches

Author Rebecca

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• cutting board
• knife
• tongs

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 2-3 pounds pork shoulder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 whole white onion roughly chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Cut a 2 lb pork shoulder into 2-3 pieces. Spray bottom of Instant Pot bowl with cooking spray. Place pork pieces in pressure cooker bowl, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add 1/2 whole white onion (ends chopped off) and 2 cloves of garlic then add 1 cup of water to bowl.
• Cover with lid, and set to MEAT/STEW setting and set timer to 40 minutes. 
• When timer goes off, open valve to quick release steam. Once steam is done releasing, open lid.
• Transfer meat to a bowl to shred. You can turn the Instant Pot back onto SAUTEE to reduce the sauce, and add to shredded meat.
• Refrigerate meat or add to a dish to eat immediately.

Notes

• Wipe oil around pressure cooker bowl if you don’t use cooking spray.
• Don’t brown meat before cooking. I’ve tried it both ways and didn’t notice a difference in the final product.
• Check doneness of meat by shredding with a fork. If meat breaks apart easily, it’s done, if not. Reseal lid and cook for another 10+ minutes.

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