Instant Pot Pulled Pork

When you need to feed a crowd, Pulled Pork is definitely a winning answer. It’s a crowd-pleasing party favorite that is versatile & easy to make!

Instead of taking hours with the Slow & Low method to make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork, why not speed up the process with the Fast & High method – Instant Pot Pulled Pork? ?

Yes!! You can make deliciously tender & moist pulled pork in just an hour and a half!

We’re in love with our BBQ Pulled Pork, but as an alternative, we created a simple yummy Maple Dijon Sauce to complement the Instant Pot Pulled Pork for a change.

You’ll Enjoy Instant Pot Pulled Pork Because:

• An alternative to the usual BBQ Instant Pot Pulled Pork (we still love our BBQ Pulled Pork! :P)
• The whole family will enjoy this deliciously sweet, juicy & moist pulled pork
• Made with simple ingredients – you probably already have in your pantry!
• Easy to make & done in ~95 mins

Instant Pot Pulled Pork is Great for:

• Burgers, wraps, lettuce wraps, sliders, tacos, over rice…
• Outings, Picnics, Potlucks…
• Game Days, Football Parties, Superbowl Parties, Men’s/Ladies’ Night, Taco Bar Parties…
• Holidays, Dinner Parties, Gatherings…

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

• 3 ¼ pounds (~1475g) pork shoulder (pork butt meat), cut into 2 – 2 ¼ inches cubes
• 5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 1 small onion, roughly sliced
• 1 – 2 tablespoon(s) peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Kosher salt & ground black pepper to taste

Chicken Stock Mixture

• 1/3 cup (83ml) unsalted chicken stock
• 1/4 cup (63ml) maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) regular soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15g) dijon mustard

Thickener

• 3 tablespoons (45g) cornstarch + 3 tablespoons (45ml) cold water

Tools for Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Pyrex glass measuring cup
• Fat separator – This is such a handy tool to have. Instead of scooping the fatty oil a little at a time with a ladle or spoon, you can quickly separate the fat/oil from the sauce with this fat separator.
• Optional Fun Tool: BEAR PAWS Shredder Claws – If you’re a fan of pulled pork or a Wolverine-wannabe ;), get these claws to shred your meat! It makes pulling pork easier and FUN. Some users use them to pick up hot food too.

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

Step 1
Prepare Pressure Cooker

Heat up your pressure cooker.

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker: press “Sauté” button and click “Adjust” button to go to Sauté More function.

Make sure your pot is as hot as it can be.

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker: wait until indicator says HOT.

Step 2
Brown Pork Shoulder

Generously season the pork shoulder with kosher salt & ground black pepper.

Add 1 tbsp (15ml) of peanut oil in the pot. Ensure to coat oil over whole bottom of the pot.

Add in the seasoned pork shoulder, then let it brown for exactly 6 minutes on each side (don’t need to keep flipping the meat).

*Pro Tip: Don’t skip this step. Be patient and allow the maillard reaction to take place! 🙂

Remove and set aside to rest for 5 minutes on a chopping board.

Step 3
Create Chicken Stock Mixture

While the pork shoulder is browning in the pressure cooker, mix 1 tbsp (15g) Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp (15ml) Worcestershire sauce, 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce, ¼ cup (63ml) maple syrup, and 1/3 cup (83ml) unsalted chicken stock in a large glass measuring cup.

You can also roughly chop the garlic and slice the onion at this time.

Step 4
Sauté Onions & Garlic

If necessary, pour another tbsp (15ml) of peanut oil in your pressure cooker.

Add in the sliced onions and sauté for 1 – 2 minutes.

Season with a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper.

Add in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).

Step 5
Cut Pork Shoulder

While the onions are sautéing in the pressure cooker, cut the pork shoulder into 2 – 2 ¼ inches cubes.

Step 6
Deglaze the Pot

Pour in half of the chicken stock mixture and fully deglaze the pot with a wooden spoon.

Add in the rest of the chicken stock mixture.

Add 1 tsp paprika, taste and season with salt & black pepper if necessary.

Step 7
Pressure Cook Pork Shoulder Cubes

Add cubed pork shoulder with all the meat juice in the pressure cooker.

*Pro Tip: Skin on vs Skin off – Keeping the skin and fat cap on will keep the nearby meat very moist. Make sure to have the skin side facing up when you put it in the pressure cooker.

However, the sauce will be very oily when you leave the skin and fat cap on. But, you can use a fat separator to remove the oil from the sauce before serving.

Close the lid and pressure cook at:

• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 28 minutes, then 15 minutes Natural Release

Release the remaining pressure by turning the venting knob to venting position. O

pen the lid carefully.

Step 8
Shred the Pork & Thicken the Sauce

Place cubed pork shoulder meat in a large mixing bowl and shred them with two forks.

Step 9
Thicken the Sauce

If the sauce is oily, use an oil separator to separate the oil with the sauce.

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Taste the sauce and season with more salt if necessary.

Mix 3 tbsp (45g) of cornstarch with 3 tbsp (45ml) of cold water and stir the mixture into the sauce one third at a time until desired thickness.

Add shredded pork meat back in the pot and mix well with the sauce.

Step 10
(Optional Flavor Enhancing Step) Caramelize Pulled Pork in Oven

Place the Instant Pot Pulled Pork on a baking tray under a broiler or top rack of a preheated 450°F oven until the surface is caramelized. Roughly 8 – 15 mins.

*Love the roasted caramelized boost of flavors ? Highly recommended!

Step 11
Serve Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Serve piping hot Instant Pot Pulled Pork with your favorite side dishes!

Enjoy your Instant Pot Pulled Pork! 😀