If you are craving a hearty, flavorful, and incredibly tender meal, look no further than this delicious BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe. Combining the magic of the Instant Pot with a well-balanced blend of spices and a tangy barbecue sauce, this dish delivers melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that you can whip up in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. Whether you’re serving it on a bun, over rice, or alongside your favorite sides, this recipe guarantees a backyard barbecue vibe that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple yet essential ingredients work in harmony to create the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and sweet flavors that bring this BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork to life. Each element lends its unique touch to the taste, texture, and vibrant color of the dish.
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder: Also known as pork butt, this cut is perfect for slow cooking and shredding due to its marbling and tenderness.
- 1 cup barbecue sauce: Adds the signature tangy and sweet flavor that makes pulled pork irresistible.
- 1 cup chicken broth: Keeps the pork moist and helps with deglazing the pot for depth.
- 1 medium onion, chopped: Provides a mild sweetness and aromatic depth when sautéed.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Essential for that warm, pungent flavor foundation.
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika: Gives a delicious smoky essence that’s crucial for BBQ vibes.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with caramelization.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the other flavors and seasons the meat evenly.
- 1 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and sharpness.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder: Introduces a hint of earthiness and spice complexity.
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin: Brings a nutty, warm undertone that rounds out the spice rub.
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional): Perfect for those who enjoy a little kick of heat.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: For sautéing the aromatics and searing the pork perfectly.
How to Make BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Rub and Pork
Mix together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, and optional cayenne pepper in a small bowl to create your flavorful dry rub. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels to ensure the spices adhere well, then massage the rub all over the meat evenly. This step locks in incredible flavor right from the start.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Set your Instant Pot to the sauté mode and heat the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. This forms a delicious flavor base that will infuse the pork during cooking.
Step 3: Sear the Pork Shoulder
Place the seasoned pork shoulder in the Instant Pot and sear each side for 2 to 3 minutes until it develops a rich, golden-brown crust. This step adds depth and caramelized flavor, elevating the entire dish.
Step 4: Deglaze and Pressure Cook
Pour the chicken broth into the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom. This deglazing step prevents burning and intensifies the taste. Seal the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 60 minutes.
Step 5: Natural Release and Shred
Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure. Remove the pork shoulder from the pot and use two forks to shred the meat into tender strands.
Step 6: Mix in the Barbecue Sauce
Return the shredded pork to the Instant Pot and stir in the barbecue sauce. Let it warm through on the sauté setting for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to fully coat the pork with sticky, sweet goodness. Then it’s ready to be served!
How to Serve BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Garnishes
Top your pulled pork with fresh, crunchy coleslaw or tangy pickles for an added layer of texture and brightness that complements the rich, smoky meat perfectly.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like creamy macaroni and cheese, baked beans, or cornbread are fantastic companions, making your meal feel complete and truly satisfying. For something lighter, a crisp green salad also pairs beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork on soft hamburger buns for the traditional approach or pile it high over fluffy rice for a comforting twist. It also makes an incredible topping for loaded nachos or taco fillings, giving you plenty of ways to impress friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to preserve its fresh flavor and tenderness.
Freezing
This dish freezes wonderfully. Portion your pulled pork into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags and freeze for up to 3 months. It’s perfect for quick meals on busy days.
Reheating
Reheat the pulled pork gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water or additional barbecue sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
Pork shoulder or pork butt is ideal because of the fat content and tenderness after cooking. Other cuts like pork loin are leaner and won’t shred as well or be as juicy.
Is it necessary to sear the pork before pressure cooking?
Searing isn’t strictly required, but it adds a wonderful caramelized flavor and improves the appearance of the finished dish dramatically.
Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?
Yes! You can slow cook the pork shoulder in a crockpot on low for 8 hours or in the oven at low heat until tender, but the Instant Pot saves a lot of time and locks in moisture beautifully.
How spicy is this BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork?
The recipe has just a gentle warmth from the chili powder and optional cayenne pepper, which you can adjust or omit entirely to suit your taste.
Can I double the recipe for a larger crowd?
Absolutely! Just make sure your Instant Pot is large enough to accommodate the extra pork without overfilling, and you may need to increase cooking time slightly for very large cuts.
Final Thoughts
This BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork has quickly become one of my favorite go-to recipes when I want comfort food that’s both impressive and easy. The combination of tender, flavorful pork with the convenience of the Instant Pot means you can enjoy mouthwatering BBQ anytime, without fuss. Seriously, give it a try and watch it become your new weeknight or weekend hit!
Print
BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe offers a tender, flavorful pork shoulder cooked quickly and easily under pressure. The pork is rubbed with a smoky, spicy blend and seared before being pressure-cooked to perfection. Tossed with tangy barbecue sauce, it’s perfect for sandwiches, rice bowls, or classic BBQ plates.
Ingredients
Meat
- 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
Dry Rub
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Create the dry rub: In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Pat the pork shoulder dry and evenly coat it with this spice mixture.
- Sauté aromatics: Set your Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking about 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Sear the pork: Place the seasoned pork shoulder into the Instant Pot and sear each side for 2 to 3 minutes until browned, creating a caramelized crust.
- Deglaze the pot: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom to loosen any browned bits. This prevents burning and adds flavor.
- Pressure cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to manual high pressure for 60 minutes. Once complete, allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
- Shred the pork: Carefully remove the pork and shred it using two forks until tender and pulled apart.
- Mix with barbecue sauce: Return shredded pork to the Instant Pot, stir in barbecue sauce, and warm on sauté mode for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Serve immediately on buns, over rice, or as desired with your favorite BBQ sides.
Notes
- For deeper smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the barbecue sauce before mixing.
- Double the barbecue sauce for saucier pulled pork if preferred.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Serve with coleslaw or pickles to complete the classic BBQ experience.
