How to Make Pulled Pork in an Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot Pulled Pork)

What requires only a handful of ingredients and doesn’t take hours to prepare? Pulled pork made in your electric pressure cooker, that’s what!

Pretty much everyone loves pulled pork, you know? It’s one of those meats that whenever I serve it, my husband and anyone else who might be present grabs as much as possible to devour.

It’s fantastic for parties or game day entertaining, but it also works so well as a weeknight dinner that can feed a family for a few nights in a row.

And don’t worry, no one gets bored with pulled pork, because it’s a jack of all trades. You can use it in sandwiches, tacos, soups, enchiladas, burritos, dumplings, and so much more.

Now, I spent my childhood in Kansas City, so I was brought up with the mindset that the best meat can only come straight from the grill after being cooked for hours. And at home, I always thought that cooking for 8 plus hours in the slow cooker was the only way to get the juiciest results, like what I do for my chili rubbed pork roast.

Boy was I proven wrong when I first made this dish in my Instant Pot!

The result was tender, juicy, and beyond satisfying. I couldn’t believe that such fantastically delicious meat could be ready to enjoy in just a little over an hour, from start to finish.

Let me tell you, this entree didn’t last long in my house after I made it for the first time. My husband I gobbled it up, at lightning speed!

It’s hard to believe that it only takes an hour in the pressure cooker to achieve such succulent and flavorful results, but it’s true.

When it comes to selecting the right cut of meat for this recipe, I think a shoulder roast is the best option to choose.

I like to go with a boneless and skinless cut, but if your butcher or local grocery store only has bone-in cuts available, you can use those too. It will just take a little more time on the prep side to cut the meat off the bone.

The recipe itself is super easy to make. You start by browning the chunks of meat to bump up the final flavor. This leaves some browned pieces on the bottom of the pressure cooker insert that are mixed into the sauce, and it’s just so tasty that way.

Then you brown the onions and add everything back to your appliance. In just an hour, you will have a heaping helping of tender meat that falls apart when you touch it.

Thankfully, the shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat. This makes it the ideal option when you want to serve a crowd, or spend one afternoon making something that you can use in various combinations a few nights in a row. Try my simple technique for making a plain pork shoulder in the electric pressure cooker, if you don’t want to make this particular pulled pork recipe.

This is a killer way to meal prep for the week. You can use it to prep lunches, or you can make something different for dinner all week long.

Some of my favorite ideas for using homemade pulled pork include:

• Topping a regular or sweet baked potato with the meat, veggies, and your favorite sauce
• Making tacos, with your favorite kind of tortillas and toppings
• Stirring it into scrambled eggs with some cheese
• Adding it to macaroni and cheese (my personal favorite!)
• Mix it with a spicy pepper tomato sauce and crunchy tortilla chips for chilaquiles
• Topping sliders or beef patties with it for an indulgent shake-up on burger night

The options are endless, people!

How to Make Pulled Pork in the Electric Pressure Cooker

Ready to dive in? The process is simple, and the results of pressure cooking this tasty entree are so rewarding.

This method requires an appliance with a capacity of 6 quarts, or larger.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 4-pound boneless, skinless pork shoulder
• 1 small onion
• 4-5 tablespoons spice rub
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Step 1 – Chop Meat, Slice Onion, Make Spice Rub, and Measure Remaining Ingredients

Cut one 4-pound boneless, skinless pork shoulder roast into 4-inch pieces. Set aside.

Peel and slice a small onion.

Make a spice rub, if you choose to do so based on the suggestions below. Otherwise, you can use something store bought. You will need 4 to 5 tablespoons total of spice mix.

Measure out 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 cup of chicken broth, and 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar.

Step 2 – Add Spice Rub

Spread the pieces of shoulder evenly with the spice mixture, rubbing it all over each piece. Press the spice rub into the meat well to ensure that it sticks.

Step 3 – Brown Pork and Onions

Turn on the Saute setting on your electric pressure cooker.

Once it’s hot, add the vegetable oil. You could use any neutral oil, such as grapeseed, or even avocado or olive oil if you like.

Brown the pork pieces on all sides in batches, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove browned pieces to a plate.

Add the onions and saute until they are softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour in the broth and vinegar, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the insert. These are what’s known as “fond,” and they’re super tasty!

Turn off the Saute function.

Step 4 – Pressure Cook

Add the pork back to the pot. Secure the lid on top. Cook on Manual on High pressure for 60 minutes.

Quick release the pressure when done. Transfer the pieces to a rimmed baking sheet or cutting board.

Step 5 – Shred Meat and Cook Down Sauce

Turn the Saute function on again. Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer until it has reduced by half, about 7 to 10 minutes. Turn off the pressure cooker.

Use two forks to shred the meat. Add it back to the pressure cooker insert with the reduced liquid. Stir to coat well. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, or add extra sauce and flavorings as desired.

Serve or use in your choice of meals and combinations. This makes a great filling for sandwiches at a party – just keep it warm on the counter with a selection of rolls and some homemade slaw nearby!