Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe (2024)

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Instant Pot Pork Roast is tender, flavorful, and oh-so simple. It’s an instant pot pork shoulder recipe that’s ready in under 2 hours and makes enough to freeze for many meals to come.Gluten-free, dairy-free.

If you are looking for a delicious & simple meal, you will want to try our pork roast instant pot recipe ASAP! This recipe only uses a few ingredients and doesn’t require a lot of effort BUT it makes a flavor-bursting dish that everyone in your house will love. What more could you ask for from a recipe?!

Table of Contents

Recipe Ingredients

6poundspork shoulder, or pork butt thawed
1cupbeef broth
2tablespoonscumin
2tablespoonschili powder
2tablespoonsonion powder
2tablespoonsgranulated garlic
2tablespoonspaprika
1tablespoonsalt
1teaspoonpepper

Step by Step Instructions

You can use a variety of seasonings, but this is our ultimate favorite flavor combination.

cumin
chili powder
onion powder
granulated garlic
paprika
salt
pepper

To start, add a pork roast to your Instant Pot.

Once the meat is in place, you can pour the beef broth over it, followed by a combination of spices. For a delicious flavor, my go-to combination includes cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. These seasonings work harmoniously to enhance the taste of the pulled pork. However, don’t hesitate to experiment with different seasonings based on what you have available in your pantry. Flexibility in adjusting the seasonings allows you to customize the flavor profile to your liking.

TIME SAVER: Make a large batch of this spice combination & keep in a sealed container. Then, it will be ready to go anytime you need a flavorful seasoning for a recipe.

After adding all the seasonings, place the lid on the base of the Instant Pot or pressure cooker and ensure it is securely closed. The cooking time may vary depending on your specific model, so refer to the instructions provided with your device. For instance, in my case, I set the Instant Pot to cook for 2 hours when preparing 6 lbs of meat. It’s essential to follow the recommended cooking time guidelines for your particular equipment to achieve the desired results.

COOKING TIP: For faster cooking time, cut the pork roast into large chunks. This will cut the cooking time to ~1.5 hours for 6 lbs of meat and ~45 minutes for 3 lbs of meat.

Once the pressure has been released and the lid unlocks, carefully remove the lid from the Instant Pot. Using two forks, shred the tender meat into smaller pieces, ensuring it is evenly distributed. Now, your instant pot pork roast recipe is ready to be enjoyed! I personally find it convenient to make a large batch and freeze the leftovers, as they can be used in various creative ways to serve my family a delicious meal.

Which Cut Of Pork Is Best For This Recipe?

For use in an Instant Pot, the best cut of pork to use is a boneless pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts are known for their marbling and higher fat content, which helps keep the meat moist and tender during pressure cooking. The collagen in the meat breaks down during the cooking process, resulting in a flavorful and succulent pork roast. Additionally, the pork shoulder or pork butt is well-suited for slow cooking methods like the Instant Pot, as it becomes incredibly tender and easily shreds for pulled pork-style dishes.

Can I cook Frozen Pork Roast in the Instant Pot?

Yes! One of the great benefits of instant pot cooking is its speed – making it safe to cook frozen meat.
To cook a pork roast from frozen add 20-30 minutes of cook time.

Substitutions & Additions

Boost flavor. Searing the meat before cooking it in the Instant Pot can add flavor and enhance the dish. To sear the pork roast, pat it dry, heat olive oil in a skillet or the Instant Pot on high heat, and brown the meat on all sides for 2-3 minutes per side. This step creates a flavorful crust and caramelization. Remove the roast then deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar to scrape the brown bits off the bottom of the pot.
Add vegetables. To incorporate potatoes and carrots into the pork roast in the Instant Pot, you can peel and chop the carrots into chunks or thick slices and do the same with the potatoes. Once the pork roast is seasoned and in the Instant Pot, simply add the chopped carrots and potatoes around the meat. The vegetables will cook alongside the pork, absorbing the flavors of the spices and beef broth. This allows them to become tender and flavorful, complementing the juicy meat.

Serving Suggestions:

Layer with your favorite taco toppings in a taco shell
Serve with microwave mashed potatoes
Pair as a main dish with my Cheesy PotatoesorZucchini Crisps
Toss on top of nacho chips with melted cheese & toppings
Scoop onto a bun for a pulled pork sandwich
Add to a cheesy pizza crust or flatbread
Mix into a batch ofApple Jalapeño BBQ Saucefor BBQ pulled pork
Toss with roasted veggies and top with gravy or balsamic glaze

How To Make Pork Roast In The Crockpot

If you’re looking for a variation on cooking methods, you can make a pork roast recipe in a crockpot. It’s a great option for slow cooking, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. Use cuts like boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, season with spices and herbs, and add vegetables or liquids like broth. Cook on low heat for 8-10 hours or high for 6-8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart. Remember to follow food safety guidelines and cook the roast to the recommended internal temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe into instant pot bbq pork?

For sure! Simply add in a cup or two of your favorite BBQ sauce after cooking!

Why Did My Roast Turn Out Tough?

A pork roast can turn out tough due to various factors. Insufficient cooking time can result in undercooked collagen and connective tissues, leading to toughness. Cooking at too high of a temperature can also cause toughness. Inadequate moisture during cooking can result in a drier and tougher roast. Additionally, using a tougher cut of meat, such as pork shoulder or pork butt, without giving it enough time to break down can contribute to toughness. To improve tenderness, adjust cooking time and temperature, ensure sufficient moisture, and consider using more tender cuts or tenderizing techniques like marinating or brining.

How Long Does Pork Take Per Pound In Instant Pot?

On average, pork takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes per pound to cook in an Instant Pot. However, factors like the size, thickness, and cut of the pork, as well as whether it’s bone-in or frozen, can influence the cooking time. For bone-in roasts, you may need to add a few extra minutes per pound, and when cooking from frozen, it’s recommended to increase the cooking time by about 50%.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

When storing leftover pork roast from the Instant Pot, allow it to cool before packaging it into meal-sized portions. Use airtight containers or freezer bags, label them with the contents and date, and store them in the refrigerator if consumed within a few days, or in the freezer for longer-term storage. Thaw frozen pork in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on the microwave. Follow food safety guidelines and discard any spoiled or excessively stored leftovers.

Leftover pork can be reheated covered on the stovetop or in the microwave until hot. It is recommended to add a few tablespoons of broth or water when reheating to prevent the pork from drying out.

If frozen, allow pork to thaw in the fridge overnight then follow the reheating instructions.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Chinese Honey Chicken
Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
Shredded Chicken
Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Loaded Potato Soup
Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
Mississippi Chicken (Instant Pot)

More Pork Recipes

Pork Chop Sheet Pan Dinner
Pork Sausage Wonton Bites
How To Brine Pork Chops
Instant Pot Pork Loin Roast With Vegetables

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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Instant Pot Pork Roast Recipe

Instant Pot Pork Roast is tender, flavorful, and oh so simple. It's an instant pot pork shoulder recipe that's ready in under 2 hours and makes enough to freeze for many meals to come.Gluten-free, dairy-free.

Pin RecipePrint Recipe

4.43 from 45 votes

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings 16

Equipment

Ingredients

6 pounds pork shoulder, or pork butt thawed ✅
1 cup beef broth ✅
2 tablespoons cumin ✅
2 tablespoons chili powder ✅
2 tablespoons onion powder ✅
2 tablespoons granulated garlic ✅
2 tablespoons paprika ✅
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Place the meat and seasonings into the instant pot. Place meat in instant pot or pressure cooker. Add beef broth and top with spices. For 6 lbs. of meat cook on high pressure for 2 hours, for 3 lbs. of meat, cook for 1 hour.
6 pounds pork shoulder, or pork butt thawed, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons granulated garlic, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
⭐️Cook. Once the cooking time is up, do a quick release until the float valve goes down or natural release. Shred with two forks, removing any excess fat or bones. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Serve. Serve with mashed potatoes or on your favorite rolls (gluten-free if needed).

Video

Notes

For a faster cooking time, cut the pork roast into large chunks. Cut cooking time for 6 lb. roast to 1.5 hours and for a 3 lb. roast 45 minutes.

Frozen Pork Roast Instant Pot Instructions:

To cook a pork roast from frozen add 20-30 minutes of cook time.

Slow Cooker Instructions:

Place meat in slow cooker and top with spices (broth is not needed unless you are using pork tenderloin).
Cook low 8-10 hours or high 6-8 hours.
Shred with two forks, removing any excess fat or bones.

CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

Nutrition