Name: Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon sea salt; 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1.5 teaspoons onion powder; 1.5 teaspoons dried thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 4 pound boneless pork shoulder roast (also called pork butt); .75 cup chicken stock; .25 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 bay leaves; 8 large cloves garlic (minced); 1 large onion (sliced - about 1.5 cups); 1.5 cups cooking liquid; .75 cup ketchup; .25 cup mustard (I used Dijon); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; .5 teaspoon liquid smoke

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This easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe makes the most amazing BBQ pulled pork to use in sandwiches or on top of nachos! Cooking in a pressure cooker ensures that the meat is tender, juicy and delicious.

Check out the Instant Pot Recipes page to see the full collection of pressure cooker recipes.

A large white bowl filled with Instant Pot Pulled Pork sitting on a blue and white designed napkin with a blue glass in the background.

This pulled pork recipes is crazy delicious and crazy simple to prepare. You get all of the smoky flavors without having to tend a grill all day. How awesome is that?

Ingredients needed to make Pulled Pork in an Instant Pot

Ingredients to make Instant Pot Pulled Pork in white bowls.

four to five pounds of boneless pork shoulder/butt cut into large pieces
brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sea salt and dried thyme leaves to season the pork
apple cider vinegar and chicken stock to cook your pork
bay leaves, onion slices and minced garlic to flavor the pork
ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke to create a delicious sauce to coat the cooked pork

How to make Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Combine the brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, sea salt and thyme leaves in a small bowl. Set aside.

Cut the pork shoulder/butt into 4 large pieces. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over and all sides of the pork.

Four large pieces of pork covered in seasoning mix laying on a white plastic cutting mat.

Pour the chicken stock and apple cider vinegar into the liner of the pressure cooker, then place the seasoned pork pieces inside. Add the minced garlic, bay leaves and onion slices on top.

Sliced onions laying on top of the pork pieces in the pressure cooker.

Secure the lid and make sure the sealing knob is in the “sealing” position. Press the Pressure Cook or Manual button then use the + or – button to adjust the time to one hour and thirty minutes (90 minutes) on HIGH pressure.

Instant Pot set to one hour and 30 minutes with arrows pointing at Pressure Cook, the time and + button.

When the pot beeps allow the pressure to release naturally (do not do anything, just leave it alone) until the pin pops. Mine takes 25 minutes. If you are in a hurry you can release the remaining pressure after 15 minutes, but no earlier or your meat will be tough.

Cooked pulled pork topped with onion slices and garlic in the pressure cooker liner.

Remove the pork pieces and place them in a large bowl.

Shred the pork into smaller pieces with two forks or just twist tongs around to break it up.

Remove all but 1.5 cups of the cooking liquid. (I had a little over 5 cups of liquid.) Set the extra liquid aside just in case you need it.

Cooking liquid in the bottom of a pressure cooker.

Add the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and Worcestershire sauce to the pressure cooker.

Ketchup and mustard added to the cooking liquid in the pressure cooker.

Press the Cancel button, then the Sauté button. Stir the sauce to combine and heat until sugar is melted and sauce is hot. Pour the sauce over the pulled pork in the bowl.

Metal tongs mix pulled pork with sauce in a glass bowl.

Stir the pork and sauce together to combine.

Pulled Pork in a white bowl with tortilla chips and a glass of whiskey in the background.

I did not make sandwiches this time, I was craving Pulled Pork Nachos. You could even make some really tasty tacos with this pulled pork!

A sheet pan filled with Pulled Pork Nachos topped with avocado, sour cream, salsa and barbecue sauce.

What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

Pork shoulder or pork butt are traditionally used for pulled pork. They both have a higher fat content that melts when it cooks which makes it easier to shred and also tender and juicy.

What else can you make with Pulled Pork?

Pulled Pork Nachos
Pork Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Pulled Pork Pizza
Stuffed Avocadoes
Lettuce Wraps
Pulled Pork Tacos

How long will Pulled Pork last?

Pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days, or frozen for 2 to 3 months.

Recipe Notes & Tips

When you remove the pork after it has cooked you can keep the onions or discard them, your choice. I kept some, but not all.
To prepare the pulled pork in a slow cooker, set the time for 7 to 8 hours on LOW.
If the pork seems dry add additional cooking liquid until you reach your desired consistency.

Additional Instant Pot pork recipes:

Hawaiian Pulled Pork with pineapple slaw
Pork Carnitas
Kalua Pork
Barbecue Ribs
Red Chile Pork Tamales
Rosemary Garlic Pork Roast

Tools used to create this recipe

Enjoy!!