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.
As a busy mom who loves hosting gatherings for family and friends, I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to prepare delicious dishes that everyone will love. Pulled pork cooked in an Instant Pot has become one of my go-to recipes! The juicy, fall-apart tender pork comes together in a fraction of the time needed for traditional slow cooked pulled pork
If you own a Farberware Instant Pot and want to make mouthwatering pulled pork with minimal effort, you’ll love this detailed guide. I’ll walk you through how to prep the ingredients, program the Instant Pot, and finish the pulled pork so it’s ready to become tacos sandwiches nachos and more!
Benefits of Using an Instant Pot for Pulled Pork
Here are some of the reasons why an Instant Pot is perfect for pulled pork:
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Super Fast – Pulled pork goes from raw to fork-tender in about an hour! No need for all day slow cooking.
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Juicy and Flavorful – The Instant Pot seals in moisture and flavor. Pork comes out incredibly juicy and infused with spices.
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Minimal Effort – Just toss in ingredients and let the Instant Pot work its magic. No need for constant monitoring or checking.
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Safety – Instant Pot’s sealed environment prevents splatters or burns. Much safer than stovetop.
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Versatile – Use pulled pork in everything from tacos, nachos and sandwiches to omelets, salads, pasta and more!
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Pulled Pork in a Farberware Instant Pot
Follow these simple steps for tender, flavorful pulled pork every time:
Ingredients:
- 2–3 lbs pork shoulder roast
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1–2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1–2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1–2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1⁄2 tsp paprika
Directions:
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Turn on Instant Pot to Sauté setting and let it heat up. Add a tablespoon of avocado oil or olive oil.
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Season pork shoulder all over with salt, pepper and spices of choice. Add to hot Instant Pot and brown for 3-5 minutes per side.
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Add sliced onions around pork shoulder and sauté for 1 minute more. Add minced garlic and stir frequently for 30 seconds until fragrant.
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Pour in chicken broth and scrape brown bits from bottom of pot.
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Secure lid and ensure pressure release valve is in ‘Sealing’ position. Select ‘Manual’ (or ‘Pressure Cook’) and set to high pressure for 60 minutes.
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Once cooking completes, quick release the pressure by turning valve to ‘Venting’. Carefully remove lid once pressure is fully released.
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Transfer cooked pork to a large bowl and shred using two forks. Add apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and a splash more broth if needed.
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Mix thoroughly and season with extra salt, pepper, spices to taste.
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Serve warm on rolls, over rice or with tortillas and enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days.
That’s all it takes! In around an hour you’ll have the most insanely delicious pulled pork ready for any meal.
Pro Tip: For even more flavor, try cooking the pork with barbecue sauce or use boneless country-style pork ribs.
Tips and Modifications for Cooking Pulled Pork
- Add liquid smoke, chipotle peppers, bbq sauce or other flavors to customize your taste
- Use bone-in or boneless pork shoulder or pork butt
- Adjust cook time based on amount of pork (60-90 mins)
- Add more broth if needed before shredding
- To thicken, cook on Sauté after shredding
- Garnish with pickles, slaw, bbq sauce, etc.
- Stir into baked beans, mac and cheese or mashed potatoes
Answers to Common Questions
What cut of pork works best?
Boneless or bone-in pork shoulder and pork butt are ideal cuts for tender, juicy pulled pork. Avoid lean cuts like pork loin.
How long does it take?
Cook time is 60-90 minutes depending on amount of pork shoulder. Quick release pressure and allow 10 mins to shred pork.
Can I skip browning the pork?
Browning adds deeper flavor but you can skip this step if you’re in a hurry.
Do I need to add liquid?
Yes, add at least 1 cup broth or water so the steam can properly circulate and cook the meat.
Can I cook from frozen?
Yes, just increase cook time by 15-20 minutes if starting from fully frozen pork.
Can I use barbecue sauce?
For best results, wait until after cooking to add thick, sugary barbecue sauce which can burn. Use small amounts of thin sauce for flavor if desired.
What sides go well with pulled pork?
Pulled pork is amazing with homemade coleslaw, baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, collard greens or southern-style potato salad.
How long does pulled pork last?
Properly stored pulled pork will last 3-4 days refrigerated and 4-6 months frozen. Reheat gently before serving.
More Delicious Farberware Instant Pot Recipes to Try
If you love using your Farberware Instant Pot for quick and easy pulled pork, be sure to also try recipes like:
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Instant Pot Beef Chili – Savory, protein-packed chili ready fast. Top with cheese, onions, Fritos and sour cream.
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Instant Pot Beef Stew – Fall-apart tender beef, potatoes, carrots and celery in deliciously thick sauce.
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Instant Pot Chicken Tacos – Shredded chicken tacos with onions, peppers and Mexican spices. Great for Taco Tuesdays!
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Instant Pot Lasagna – Assemble lasagna right in pot, no boiling noodles required. Cheesy, saucy lasagna in minutes.
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Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs – Perfect hard boiled eggs with no fuss. No more green rings around yolks!
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Instant Pot Potatoes – Make mashed potatoes or loaded baked potatoes in no time. So fast and easy.
What Kind of Pressure Release to Use for Instant Pot Pulled Pork?
When cooking meat for a long time, it’s best to let the pressure drop naturally so that the flavor stays in and the meat doesn’t dry out. If you need to get things done quickly, I’ve found that a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release works just as well.
How to Cook Easy Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork in an 8-quart Pressure Cooker
This recipe was developed for a 6-quart pressure cooker. If you are using a larger piece of meat, you may want to use a larger pressure cooker. Just be sure to add enough liquid to have the minimum for the pot to come to pressure. For an 8-quart, that would be a half cup of additional water.