Have you ever wanted to make your favorite restaurant-style pulled pork at home but with minimal effort and time? You're in luck; our Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe is simple, tasty, and sure to become a family favorite!
Plus, you don't need to be an expert cook or spend hours slaving away in the kitchen - this easy dish can come together in just 30 minutes.
All you'll have to do is prepare the ingredients (we've even included a step-by-step shopping list) and then watch as your pressure cooked pulled pork emerges from the Instant Pot savory and succulent.
So forget heating up last night's leftovers or driving out for takeout - put on your aprons and get ready to make this Instant Pot recipe that is so much better!
I have made a few summer Instant Pot recipes since I bought the Instant Pot. I love it. Instant Pot recipes are so easy and I can have dinner on the table in minutes.
I'm back with another delicious and easy to make Instant Pot recipe. This pork recipe is perfect any time of the year.
Whenever you crave the sweet and smoky flavor of a pulled pork sandwich you can make it quickly no matter what the weather is like outside.
Ingredients
- 3.5 lb boneless pork picnic
- pork rub
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- ¾ cup chicken stock or water
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Directions
- Unwrap the boneless pork picnic and rinse well. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Cut the pork into manageable size pieces.
- Sprinkle each piece of boneless pork with the Pork Rub. Rub the pork rub into the meat and set aside.
- Turn the instant pot onto the saute setting and heat until the word HOT appears in the display window.
- Add the oil and brown each piece of pork on all sides, placing it in a bowl as you brown the remaining pieces.
- Once done browning hit the cancel button to turn the Instant Pot off.
- Add the chicken stock (or water) and Liquid Smoke to the Instant Pot.
- Add the browned pork pieces back to the Instant Pot and place the lid on making sure the steam valve is in the center position.
- Push the button for the manual setting and then push the + button until it reaches 90 minutes.
- Once the pork has cooked for 90 minutes allow the Instant Pot to release the steam naturally (about 20 minutes).
- Carefully open the Instant Pot lid and check the pork to see if it is done. It should be fall apart tender. If it isn't recover the Instant pot and repeat the manual cooking setting and cook an additional 10-20 minutes.
- Makes 8 to 10 servings.
How Long to Cook Boneless Pork Picnic In A Pressure Cooker?
How long does it take to cook a boneless pork picnic in a pressure cooker depends on the size of the pork picnic you are cooking.
I pressure cooked a 3.5 lb piece of boneless pork picnic for 90 minutes and let the pressure cooker release steam naturally for another 20 minutes.
My boneless pork picnic was cooked perfectly fork tender and fell apart as I took it out of the pressure cooker.
Pro Cooking Tips
- Choose the Right Cut of Pork: For pulled pork, the best cut to use is pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt. This cut has a good amount of fat that renders down during cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Use a Good Rub: A rub made from a blend of spices adds a lot of flavor to pulled pork. Some popular ingredients for a pork rub include brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Don't be shy with it - make sure the entire piece of pork is coated in the rub for maximum flavor.
- Add Liquid: Adding a liquid to the instant pot not only prevents the meat from burning, but also helps to create steam which aids in the pressure cooking process. You can use anything from water to broth, apple juice, or even beer for extra flavor.
- Cook on High Pressure: To get the most tender pulled pork, you'll want to cook your pork shoulder under high pressure. This will help to break down the tough tissues in the meat and make it easy to shred.
- Natural Release is Key: After your pork has finished cooking, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes. This allows the meat to continue to cook and tenderize in the residual heat. After 15 minutes, you can turn the valve to release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
Remember, patience is key when making pulled pork in an instant pot. The result will be a delicious, tender, and flavorful pulled pork that's worth the wait!
Pin or Print the Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe below
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Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3.5 lb boneless pork picnic
- ½ cup Pork rub (I use my homemade pork rub)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil
- ¾ cup chicken stock or water
- 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
Instructions
- Unwrap the boneless pork picnic and rinse well. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Cut the pork into manageable size pieces.
- Sprinkle each piece of boneless pork with the Pork Rub. Rub the pork rub into the meat and set aside.
- Turn the instant pot onto the saute setting and heat until the word HOT appears in the display window.
- Add the oil and brown each piece of pork on all sides, placing it in a bowl as you brown the remaining pieces. Once done browning hit the cancel button to turn the Instant Pot off.
- Add the chicken stock (or water) and Liquid Smoke to the Instant Pot.
- Add the browned pork pieces back to the Instant Pot and place the lid on making sure the steam valve is in the center position.
- Push the button for the manual setting and then push the + button until it reaches 90 minutes.
- Once the pork has cooked for 90 minutes allow the Instant Pot to release the steam naturally (about 20 minutes).
- Carefully open the Instant Pot lid and check the pork to see if it is done. It should be fall apart tender. If it isn't recover the Instant pot and repeat the manual cooking setting and cook an additional 10-20 minutes.
Recipe Expert Tips
- Choose the Right Cut of Pork: For pulled pork, the best cut to use is pork shoulder, also known as Boston butt. This cut has a good amount of fat that renders down during cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.
- Use a Good Rub: A rub made from a blend of spices adds a lot of flavor to pulled pork. Some popular ingredients for a pork rub include brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Don't be shy with it - make sure the entire piece of pork is coated in the rub for maximum flavor.
- Add Liquid: Adding a liquid to the instant pot not only prevents the meat from burning, but also helps to create steam which aids in the pressure cooking process. You can use anything from water to broth, apple juice, or even beer for extra flavor.
- Cook on High Pressure: To get the most tender pulled pork, you'll want to cook your pork shoulder under high pressure. This will help to break down the tough tissues in the meat and make it easy to shred.
- Natural Release is Key: After your pork has finished cooking, let the pressure release naturally for about 15 minutes. This allows the meat to continue to cook and tenderize in the residual heat. After 15 minutes, you can turn the valve to release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
Nutrition
Check out some of my other Instant Pot Pressure Cooker recipes below:
Instant Pot Red Potatoes are perfect for your 4th of July Potato Salad.
Instant Pot Salsa Chicken is delicious and can be made into a totally new Salsa Chicken recipe by changing the flavor of salsa used.
I'm an Instant Pot newbie. You can check out my initial thoughts on cooking with an Instant Pot Electric Pressure cooker here: I Bought An Instant Pot Now What?
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