By Becky Hardin
Published Oct 23, 2023
Make this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe for sliders in a fraction of the usual time! Cooked quickly with brown sugar and spices before being tossed in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, this shredded BBQ pork is wonderfully tender and juicy. It makes for great sandwiches and sliders!
What’s in this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe?
Making shredded pork in an Instant Pot only requires a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep. And cook time is relatively short compared to other cooking methods (like smoked pulled pork ) for this BBQ favorite.
- Pork Shoulder: Pork shoulder is best for pulled pork because it has a high fat content, so it turns out really juicy and tender, and it’s easy to shred. I used a 5-pound boneless shoulder for this recipe.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds a rich sweet flavor to the dry rub that complements pork and balances out the savory herbs and spices.
- Chicken Stock: Chicken stock prevents the pork from burning on the bottom. Instead of chicken stock, use water or beer.
- Herbs + Spices: Use a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and salt & pepper.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite barbecue sauce–sweet, smoky, or tangy. You can also try this homemade BBQ sauce , or my homemade Carolina Gold Sauce if you’d like.
Pro Tip: If you want to make pulled pork sliders, serve them on these homemade dinner rolls , Hawaiian Rolls , or any bread that you love.
Variations on Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork
For spicy pulled pork, add 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice rub. You can also choose a spicier BBQ sauce, or mix in some hot sauce.
The secret to making this pork extra juicy is to cook it in chicken stock! This helps to add moisture to the meat as it cooks.
Yes. If using bone-in pork shoulder, add 5 extra minutes to the cook time.
I used a 6-quart Instant Pot for this pulled pork recipe. Use a similarly sized pot for best results.
Slow cooking is the most foolproof method for making pulled pork, but pressure cooking is much faster! To make pulled pork in a slow cooker, follow this recipe for crockpot BBQ pork .
The most reliable way to determine if pulled pork is cooked through is to use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. The temperature should reach at least 195°F (90°C) for the pork to be fully cooked and tender enough to pull apart easily. When the pork is fully cooked, the meat should be very tender and easy to shred with a fork or tongs. If the pork meat is tough or not easily shredding, it needs to cook for a bit longer.
If your pulled pork seems tough after cooking, this is likely because you did a quick pressure release instead of a natural release. Make sure to naturally release the pressure for the best results.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover pulled pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, place pork in the oven at 250°F until fully heated through. You can also warm it up in a slow cooker for about 2-3 hours.
How to Freeze Instant Pot Pulled Pork
After cooking in the pressure cooker, let the shredded pork cool to room temperature. Place it into freezer-safe resealable bags, and remove as much air as possible while sealing it. Lay the bags flat in the freezer until frozen, then you can rearrange them as needed.
Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
What to Serve with BBQ Pulled Pork
Whether you serve this Instant Pot pulled pork as sliders, or plated up to eat with a fork, you’ll want to load up on some classic BBQ side dishes . Make corn on the cob , Instant Pot mac and cheese , German potato salad , pickled beets , and cornbread . Other classic side dishes which pair well with pulled pork include coleslaw , roasted vegetables , and homemade baked beans .
You can also use this pork to make pulled pork grilled cheese or pulled pork nachos !
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- ▢ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ▢ 1 cup chicken stock
- ▢ ½ cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
Video
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with a paper towel. 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and pepper together. 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Rub the spice mixture over the pork, making sure to evenly coat it on all sides.
- Pour the chicken stock and place the pork into the Instant Pot. Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. 1 cup chicken stock
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook – Manual for 45 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot finishes cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Switch the valve to the “venting” position to release any additional pressure.
- Remove the pork from the Instant Pot and use 2 forks to shred the pork.
- Pour the barbecue sauce into the Instant Pot and whisk it with the chicken stock. ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Add the shredded pork back into the pot. Toss to combine, serve, and enjoy.
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Becky’s Tips
- Use pork shoulder for the best pulled pork. It has the perfect ratio of fat to meat, making it perfectly tender and flavorful.
- Pat the pork dry before seasoning it. This helps it cook more evenly and helps it to get nice and juicy.
- Once made, you can keep the BBQ pulled pork on the warm setting in the Instant Pot for up to 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Pulled Pork Recipes to Try:
- Smoked Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker BBQ Pork
- Crockpot Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Carnitas
- Crockpot Kalua Pork
- Sangria Pork Carnitas
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken stock
- ½ cup barbecue sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry with a paper towel. 5 pounds boneless pork shoulder
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and pepper together. 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Rub the spice mixture over the pork, making sure to evenly coat it on all sides.
- Pour the chicken stock and place the pork into the Instant Pot. Attach the lid and ensure the valve is in the “sealing” position. 1 cup chicken stock
- Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook - Manual for 45 minutes.
- Once the Instant Pot finishes cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Switch the valve to the “venting” position to release any additional pressure.
- Remove the pork from the Instant Pot and use 2 forks to shred the pork.
- Pour the barbecue sauce into the Instant Pot and whisk it with the chicken stock. ½ cup barbecue sauce
- Add the shredded pork back into the pot. Toss to combine, serve, and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Use pork shoulder for the best pulled pork. It has the perfect ratio of fat to meat, making it perfectly tender and flavorful.
- Pat the pork dry before seasoning it. This helps it cook more evenly and helps it to get nice and juicy.
- Once made, you can keep the BBQ pulled pork on the warm setting in the Instant Pot for up to 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
