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Home » Course » Dinner » Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Published: Jul 3, 2019 · Modified: Jan 26, 2021 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

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Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork made with dry rub is the best easy recipe to cook pork shoulder. This tender, juicy meat just falls apart and will be great for a party!

Two hands hold a bowl with pulled pork and two woden spoons on a white table.

I love making multi-purpose dishes for meal prep. The ones you can make in a big batch and then use in different meals later.

This delicious BBQ Pulled Pork is one of them. After its done, you can refrigerate or even freeze it and use later with your meals.

Here are a few meal ideas you can serve pulled pork with:

  • Sandwiches
  • Sliders
  • Tacos
  • Mix it with pasta
  • Or as a side with mashed potatoes and cole slaw

If you want something lighter, you can make my Instant Pot Pulled Chicken.

Pulled pork with a wooden spoon in instant pot.

What is the best cut of meat for Pulled Pork?

The best cut of meat for pulled pork is the shoulder. It is high in fat and connective tissue, as well as it has the most flavor. In the store, you can find two different parts of pork shoulder, the Boston Butt and the Picnic Roast.

What is Boston Butt?

I like to use the Boston Butt for my BBQ Pulled pork. It has a good ratio of fat and lean meat, which gives the best flavor.

Despite its name, this type of cut comes from the upper part of the shoulder of the front leg.

But why it’s called “Boston Butt”?

Here is a quick history of this name. During the pre-revolutionary times and into the American Revolutionary War, New England butchers used to keep for themselves less desired pork cuts, like shoulders and keep them in barrels. These barrels were known as “Butt” and comes from a Latin word “Buttis”, which means “a cask” or “a barrel”. Later, this type of meat became popular as Boston specialty and was called “Boston Butt”.

As you see, the name has nothing to do with the part of pork body, but the way it was stored.

Pulled pork with a wooden spoon in instant pot.

How to make dry rub for pulled pork?

I like dry rub to be very simple yet flavorful. There is no need to make it too complicated.

In this recipe I use only 5 ingredients:

  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Cayenne

This mix brings out the best savor to the meat: smoky, sweet, and spicy.

A bowl with pulled pork and two woden spoons on a white table.

How to make BBQ Pulled Pork in Instant Pot

First, we need to rinse and pad dry the meat. Then cut in into 8 equal pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.

Mix dry rub ingredients (smoked paprika, salt, garlic and onion powder, and cayenne pepper) in a small bowl and sprinkle it over the meat.

Using your hands, rub the spices all over the meat, making sure it’s all equally distributed.

Set your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add oil to the pot and brown the meat in two batches not to overcrowd the pot (3-4 pieces at a time). Sauté for about 4-5 minutes each side or until it gets a golden/brown crust. Then remove the meat from the pot.

Then add a cup of water and scrub the bottom of the pot to remove burned bits and cancel the “Sauté” function.

Put the meat back to the pot and cover the lid. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Make sure that the venting knob is turned to “Sealing”!

When it is done, let it naturally release the pressure for 15-20 minutes. Then switch the knob to venting position and release the steam. Make sure the steam is fully released and the valve is completely down before opening the pot!

Take the meat out and put it on a plate. Using two forks, shred the meat. I like to remove any fat pieces, leaving only meat in the plate.

After it’s done, you can put shredded pork in a large mixing bowl or back to the pot. If you put it back to the pot, make sure you pour out the remaining liquid.

Add your favorite BBQ sauce to the meat and mix it until well combined.

Pulled pork in instant pot.

How long does cooked pork last in the fridge?

You can keep the meat for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

In the freezer, it will last for up to 6 months.

How to reheat pulled pork?

To reheat the pulled pork, I like to cover it in foil but leave some room on top for air. Sprinkle a little bit of water on top, so it will steam while reheating. This way the meat will stay moist and won’t dry out.

A bowl with pulled pork and two woden spoons on a white table.

Here is more recipes using Instant Pot:

  • Instant Pot Pulled Chicken
  • Instant Pot Chicken Wings
  • Instant Pot Boneless Short Ribs
  • Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
  • Instant Pot Orange Chicken
  • Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Pilaf
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast
  • Instant Pot BBQ Ribs

Did you make this recipe?!? I’d love to know how it turned out! leave a comment and a rating below👇 thank you!

A bowl with pulled pork and two woden spoons on a white table.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork made with dry rub is the best easy recipe to cook pork shoulder. This tender, juicy meat just falls apart and will be great for a party!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr 40 mins
Total Time2 hrs
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 -10 people
Calories: 209kcal
Author: Veronika's Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce

Instructions

  • Rinse and pad dry the meat. Then cut in into 8 equal pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Mix dry rub ingredients ( 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder and ½ tsp onion powder, and ½ tsp cayenne pepper) in a small bowl and sprinkle is over the meat.
  • Using your hands, rub the spices all over the meat, making sure it’s all equally distributed.
  • Set your Instant Pot to Sauté. Add 3 tbsp olive oil to the pot and brown the meat in two batches not to overcrowd the pot (3-4 pieces at a time). Sauté for about 4-5 minutes each side or until it gets a golden/brown crust. Then remove the meat from the pot.
  • Then add 1 cup of water and scrub the bottom of the pot to remove burned bits and cancel the “Sauté” function.
  • Put the meat back to the pot and cover the lid. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Make sure that the venting knob is turned to “Sealing”!
  • When it is done, let it naturally release the pressure for 15-20 minutes. Then switch the knob to venting position and release the steam. Make sure the steam is fully released and the valve is completely down before opening the pot!
  • Take the meat out and put it on a plate. Using two forks, shred the meat. I like to remove any fat pieces, leaving only meat in the plate.
  • After it’s done, you can put shredded pork in a large mixing bowl or back to the pot. If you put it back to the pork, make sure you pour out the remaining liquid.
  • Add your favorite BBQ sauce to the meat and mix it until well combined.

Video

Notes

  1. Brown the meat in 2 batches not to overcrowd the pot. Otherwise, it will release to much juices and the meat will boil instead of browning.
  2. You can keep the meat for 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  3. In the freezer, it will last for up to 6 months.
  4. To reheat the pulled pork, I like to cover it in foil but leave some room on top for air. Sprinkle a little bit of water on top, so it will steam while reheating. This way the meat will stay moist and won’t dry out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 209kcal | Carbohydrates: 13.9g | Protein: 20.6g | Fat: 7.5g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 60.4mg | Sodium: 725.1mg | Sugar: 11.1g
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

A bowl with pulled pork and two woden spoons on a white table.

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Sarah Anderson says

    April 05, 2022 at 3:21 pm

    Oh my gosh! Tried this last night! Bought an 8# so going to do the other half tomorrow to freeze. I used my stand mixer to shred the pork, so easy! It was delicious. We have enough for leftovers too!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      April 18, 2022 at 9:34 am

      Thank you so much, Sarah! So happy you liked the recipe 😉

      Reply
  2. Jessica says

    January 04, 2022 at 10:21 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious!!!! Like holy cow delicious! The pork just melts in your mouth. The rub was so good we decided not to do the bbq sauce. Enough said!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 05, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      Thank you so much, Jessica! I’m so happy you loved the recipe!

      Reply
  3. Angel says

    January 20, 2021 at 11:17 pm

    Hi! 🙂
    Thanks for the simplistic, yet yummy looking, recipe!! I am cooking the shoulder as I comment. Once it’s done I’m using the shredded pork in another recipe that I found on here for BBQ pulled pork enchiladas. OMGERSH, I can’t wait!!!! Yom Yom!!! :-)~~~~

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 21, 2021 at 9:25 am

      Yaay! Thank you, Angel! Let me know how it came out!

      Reply
  4. Jenna says

    February 01, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    How long would you let It cool for 2.5lbs? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jenna says

      February 01, 2020 at 10:13 pm

      Cool is a typo.. meant to say cook!

      Reply
      • Veronika's Kitchen says

        January 21, 2021 at 9:24 am

        Hi Jenna! The cooking time will be the same. Since your meat is smaller, you can cut it into 5-6 pieces, instead of 8. The rest will be the same.

        Reply
  5. Ebony says

    January 04, 2020 at 4:33 pm

    Great recipe! Tried this today it was delicious! I did 1/4 chicken stock and 3/4 cups water. Added a little Apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes after shredding to make it more like a Carolina pulled pork. Yum!

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      January 04, 2020 at 8:16 pm

      Thank you, Ebony! I’m glad to know you liked this recipe! I also like to play around with spices and crate new flavors!)

      Reply
  6. Kathie Vanderweide says

    December 26, 2019 at 6:26 pm

    I want to give this recipe a try, but, I have a boneless pork shoulder that weighs 7ln10oz. I have an 8qt instant pot, what is your suggestion. Is it too big to do? Thank you in advance.

    Reply
    • Veronika's Kitchen says

      December 26, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Hi Kathie! I think you still can do it!)
      Here’s what I would do. If you have some extra fat on the meat, cut it out. Also, cut the pork shoulder in smaller pieces, about the size of your fist (I would say 12 pieces). Make 1 1/2 batch of dry rub seasoning. The rest of the recipe will be the same. Except, I would increase the cooking time to 80-90 minutes. Then naturally release the pressure.
      Hope that helps! Let me know how it came out!

      Reply
  7. Leona Banks says

    December 09, 2019 at 9:06 pm

    I want to do this always loved pulled pork n so do my family, but sadly I don’t have the pot is there any other way to cook ? Please I pray u say yes n it is in my kitchen..
    Thank you soo much

    Reply
  8. Jagruti Dhanecha says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:40 am

    The instant pot is a boon for many and this bbq pulled pork is perfectly done in less time.

    Reply
  9. georgie says

    July 22, 2019 at 3:13 am

    this is making me SO hungry! I love pulled pork so am totally digging this recipe!

    Reply
  10. Danielle says

    July 21, 2019 at 11:29 pm

    Mmm… I don’t remember when was the last time my mouth watered just from looking at recipe images. This pulled pork looks amazing and is definitely the recipe I would love to try!

    Reply
  11. Nicole says

    July 21, 2019 at 10:43 pm

    Look at all of that flavor! I am a huge fan of pulled pork and if I had an Instapot I would try it very soon!

    Reply
  12. Jenna says

    July 21, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    Yum! I just got an Instant Pot on prime day and my husband loves pulled pork. We will definitely have to give this a try. You make it sound so easy and delicious!

    Reply
  13. Kathryn says

    July 21, 2019 at 7:05 pm

    Using an instant pot is such a great option for making pulled pork! It makes it so easy.

    Reply
  14. Analida Braeger says

    July 21, 2019 at 2:10 pm

    I am currently salivating looking at these pictures and reading this. Pulled pork is my favorite easy summer meal !

    Reply
  15. Sara says

    July 21, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    I love pulled pork! I really love that you kept the spice list so simple; the lsat time I made pulled pork in my slow cooker, I got super carried away with the spices and made it too difficult. Your combination of flavors sounds wonderful though, and your photos are beautiful!

    Reply
  16. Linda says

    July 21, 2019 at 9:53 am

    There’s nothing better than a nicely pulled pork sandwich. I like the way you just used a rub on the outside and kept it super simple. I can see this pulled pork next taco Tuesday for a great change of pace.

    Reply
  17. Eva says

    July 20, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    Had no idea about the name “Boston butt”. I thought it was the rear of the pig… well thank you for the explanation!

    Reply
  18. Jenni says

    July 19, 2019 at 7:39 am

    This pulled pork looks so amazing, and thanks to your great recipe I know I can make it, too!

    Reply
  19. Carrie says

    July 18, 2019 at 10:52 am

    I love doing pulled pork in my instant pot – so easy! Look forward to trying out your recipe, it looks really delicious!

    Reply
  20. Aleta says

    July 17, 2019 at 10:41 pm

    Ahhhh your instant pot bbq pulled pork looks soooo good! I am imagining all of the ways I am going to devour this pork, and know that not a lot is going to pass through my fingers without getting eaten first!

    Reply
  21. Gloria says

    July 15, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    I am passing this recipe along to my daughter right now. She has an Instant Pot…and loves pulled pork. I know here family will love this for dinner.

    Reply

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