This Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork is great! Just get some pork shoulder and barbecue sauce, and the pork will fall apart when you cook it under pressure. Serve it on a bun with a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce. You get all the flavor of slow cooked pulled pork in a fraction of the time.
This is a pressure cooker twist on a popular slow cooker recipe. The recipe has only three ingredients—vegetable oil, pork, and barbecue sauce. It also doesn’t take long to prepare and is ready in a fraction of the time it takes to make in the slow cooker. It tastes just as good and is just as easy to set and forget.
However, if you don’t have a crowd to feed, it freezes well too. I like to freeze it in single servings so I have extras for lunch or when I need a quick dinner.
Pulled pork is a classic comfort food that’s simple to make but requires time and low slow cooking to break down the collagen in the meat. This results in fork-tender fall-apart texture. While traditional oven or smoker recipes take upwards of 8 hours, the instant pot cuts cook time drastically, even from frozen! With an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot, you can have juicy, delicious pulled pork in just 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot
Cooking pulled pork in an Instant Pot has several advantages:
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Cuts cook time significantly – Pressure cooking builds up heat and steam to speed up the breakdown of collagen and tenderizing of the meat.
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Infuses flavor – The closed environment concentrates flavor as the pork cooks in its own juices
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Convenient – Just set it and forget it! No need for constant monitoring.
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Can use frozen meat – The intense heat thaws and cooks frozen pork evenly.
How Long Does Frozen Pulled Pork Take in an Instant Pot?
Cooking time will depend on two factors – the size of the pork shoulder and whether it’s whole or cut into chunks before freezing.
For a 2 pound pork shoulder (cut into chunks before freezing), cook for 40-50 minutes.
For a 4 pound pork shoulder (frozen whole), cook for 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Add 5-10 minutes per pound for larger cuts of frozen pork. Always allow the pressure to release naturally before opening the instant pot.
Step-By-Step Instant Pot Frozen Pulled Pork
Follow these simple steps for foolproof instant pot frozen pulled pork every time:
Ingredients:
- 3-5 lb pork shoulder or butt roast, frozen
- 1 cup chicken broth or apple juice
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Directions:
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Thaw frozen pork partially in the refrigerator overnight or quickly in cold water. Pat dry thoroughly.
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Season pork all over with dry rub of brown sugar, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
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Pour broth/juice into instant pot and add seasoned pork.
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Pressure cook for 50-60 minutes for 2 lb pork or 90-120 minutes for 4 lb pork. Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes before quick releasing any remaining pressure.
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Shred pork using two forks pulling meat apart into bite size pieces.
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Mix in BBQ sauce until coated evenly.
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Serve on buns or over rice/potatoes. Enjoy!
Tips:
- Add liquid smoke, chili powder, cumin, or chipotle powder to the rub for more flavor.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar or hot sauce when shredding for tang.
- Top with coleslaw, pickles, and crispy onions for delicious sandwiches.
- Freeze leftovers in portion sizes to reheat later in the microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook a 5 lb frozen pork shoulder in an Instant Pot?
For a 5 lb frozen pork shoulder, cook at high pressure for 110-120 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure.
Should you thaw pork before pressure cooking from frozen?
It’s best to thaw frozen pork partially before pressure cooking. Thawing halfway helps the pork cook more evenly. If short on time, you can cook frozen pork straight from the freezer but may need to add 5-10 more minutes to the cook time.
Is natural or quick release better for pulled pork?
Natural release is highly recommended as it allows the meat to continue tenderizing without losing moisture. Quick release may cause drier, tougher results. Allow at least 10-15 minutes natural release before manually venting.
How can you thicken the cooking liquid into barbecue sauce?
Once pork is shredded, remove it from the pot. Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup broth and add to pot. Cook 5 mins on high saute until thickened then stir in barbecue sauce. Return pork to coat in sauce.
What sides go well with instant pot pulled pork?
Delicious sides include mac and cheese, cornbread, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, collard greens, corn on the cob, and fresh biscuits.
Satisfy Your Pulled Pork Cravings Using the Instant Pot
The instant pot is a game changer for whipping up juicy, fall-apart pulled pork in record time. Follow the simple guide above for tender results from frozen pork shoulder every time. In under 2 hours, you can be enjoying the smoky, comforting flavor of pork that’s been lovingly cooked low and slow – with barely any hands-on effort thanks to the instant pot. Get ready to satisfy pulled pork cravings anytime with this easy pressure cooker method.
How to Shred Pulled Pork
Can I add more time if the meat doesn’t shred easily? The meat should shred easily after the cooking time. Leaner cuts may not shred as well. If this is the case, you can try adding increments of 10 minutes onto the cook time.
I used my stand mixer to shred the pork instead of forks. For speed and ease, make sure to trim the pork of as much fat as possible before putting it in the mixer to shred.
How to Cook Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork from Frozen
If you didn’t have a chance to defrost your pork, you can cook from frozen. You will need to add 5 minutes per pound. Note that it will take longer to come to pressure.
