Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe (Easy BBQ)

Make tender, juicy Instant Pot Pulled Pork in a fraction of the time! This easy pulled pork recipe uses pork butt, BBQ sauce, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar for incredible flavor. Perfect for sandwiches, meal prep, and feeding a crowd.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork is one of my favorite easy and quick meals when I need tender pork without spending all day waiting on a slow cooker or crock pot. You can get the same results with any other method of cooking but never as fast as this Instant Pot recipe.

Using simple ingredients like pork butt, BBQ seasoning, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar, this easy recipe delivers all the great flavor of traditional slow cooking in just a fraction of the time. The pressure cooking process breaks down the connective tissue in the meat, creating fork-tender, shredded pork that’s perfect for pork sandwiches, loaded baked potatoes, tacos, and more.

If you’ve ever made a pulled pork recipe with a Boston butt or boneless pork shoulder roast, you know it can take hours in a slow cooker. But with this pulled pork Instant Pot recipe, you can achieve the same tender pork and rich barbecue flavor in about an hour from start to finish. It’s one of the best ways to make a large batch of seasoned pork for feeding a lot of people without spending the whole day in the kitchen.

Add a little BBQ Sauce at the end, and this pulled pork is ready for buns, pork tacos, pulled pork nachos, loaded fries, baked potatoes, and more!

Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Pulled Pork

• Ready in a fraction of the time compared to slow cooking
• Uses simple ingredients and store-bought sauces you can find at any grocery store
• Makes a great recipe for meal prep
• Perfect for pork sandwiches, tacos, nachos, and more
• Easy to customize with your favorite BBQ sauce or favorite barbecue sauce
• Creates juicy, fork-tender shredded pork every time

Tools Needed

• Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker (I used a 6-quart Instant Pot)
• Measuring cups
• Small bowl or large measuring cup
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Tongs or a slotted spoon
• Two forks for shredding (or a stand mixer with paddle attachment)
• Wooden spoon for stirring
• Serving platter or bowl (optional)

Ingredients

• Pork butt
• BBQ seasoning
• BBQ sauce
• Beef broth
• Apple cider vinegar
• Buns, for serving (optional)

Find the full recipe with ingredient measurements in the recipe card below.

Best Pork for Pulled Pork

For the best results, choose a good pork roast (pork butt, Boston butt, or boneless pork shoulder) with ample fat and connective tissue, which helps the pork cook up juicy and tender during pressure cooking.

While some pulled pork recipes use a lot of extra ingredients, this version keeps things simple yet delivers a lot of flavor!

You can always experiment next time by adding a spice rub made with brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and black pepper for an extra flavor boost.

How to Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This recipe is so fast and easy to put together in just a few steps!

1. Place the pork pieces into the Instant Pot and sprinkle the BBQ seasoning evenly over the meat.

2. In a large measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together half of the BBQ sauce, the beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. Pour the mixture over the pork.

2. Secure the lid and make sure the steam release valve is set to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 35 minutes.
3. When the cooking time is finished, carefully do a quick release. Once all of the pressure has been released, remove the lid.
4. Transfer the pork to a large bowl or cutting board and shred it using two forks (or see my favorite hack below)
5. Drain about half of the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot, leaving the rest behind to keep the pork moist and flavorful.
6. Return the shredded pork to the cooking juices in the Instant Pot and stir in the remaining barbeque sauce until everything is well coated.
7. Serve warm on buns, over baked potatoes, in tacos, or however your family loves pulled pork!

Pro Tips

• Cut the pork into large chunks so it cooks evenly.
• Make sure there is enough cooking liquid in the bottom of the pot to prevent a burn warning.
• After the cook time is complete, carefully move the steam release valve to venting and perform a quick release.
• If you prefer, you can allow a natural release or natural pressure release for 10-15 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure.
• Use a sharp knife to trim excess fat before cooking if your cut of pork has a lot of external fat
• A wooden spoon works great for stirring the shredded pork back into the sauce.

Shred the Pork with a Stand Mixer

Want to make this recipe even easier? Use your stand mixer to shred the pork.

After cooking, transfer the pork to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on low speed and let it run for 15 to 30 seconds, or until the pork is shredded to your liking.

I love this method when I’m making a big batch because it takes almost no effort and shreds the meat much faster than using two forks. Just be careful not to let it run too long or the pork can become too finely shredded.

Once it’s shredded, return the pork to the Instant Pot, stir in the remaining BBQ sauce, and it’s ready to serve. It’s one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts!

Serving Suggestions

This Instant Pot BBQ recipe is delicious served on buns as classic pork sandwiches, but there are plenty of other favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Loaded baked potatoes
• BBQ nachos
• Tacos
• Sliders
• Rice bowls
• Mac and cheese bowls

Serve it alongside potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, or any of your favorite things from the summer cookout menu.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors are even better the next day, after it has all soaked overnight.

For longer storage, divide leftover pulled pork into small amounts and freeze in plastic freezer bags for up to 3 months. This is great for meal prep or freezer meals!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use pork tenderloin or pork loin roast?

You can, but pork butt is the best choice. Pork tenderloin and pork loin roast are much leaner cuts and won’t produce the same juicy, tender pulled pork texture.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker or crock pot and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is fork-tender.

Can I use this recipe to make Instant Pot carnitas?

Yes! Skip the BBQ sauce and season the pork with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, black pepper, and citrus juice. After shredding, broil the pork briefly to create crispy edges.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?

That’s completely personal preference. Use your favorite BBQ sauce or favorite barbecue sauce from the grocery store, or make your own.

Whether you’re new to easy Instant Pot recipes or already love cooking with your electric pressure cooker, this Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork is guaranteed to become a family favorite. It’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd with very little effort.