Instant Pot Pulled Pork
This Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe makes the best barbecue pulled pork sandwiches.
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
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 186kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 21gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 318IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 132mgIron: 5mg
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