This Instant Pot Pulled Pork is made with SIX ingredients and is full of flavor! With garlic, brown sugar, apple juice and seasoned well, it is the perfect mix of sweet and savory, plus fall apart tender!
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My family can’t get enough of this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe. I don’t mean to brag — well, maybe just a little bit — but it’s one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes!
What makes it such an amazing recipe?
For starters, this dairy-free and gluten-free pulled pork recipe has a flavor that can’t be beat. The pork is cooked in a mixture of apple juice, brown sugar, and seasonings, giving it a sweet (but not too sweet) taste my kids love.
Once the pork is completely cooked it will practically fall apart without any effort — all you need is a pair of forks to get the job done.
Toss the shredded pulled pork with your favorite barbecue sauce (try my Easy Homemade Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce or this 6 ingredient Homemade BBQ Sauce) and it’s ready to eat. We love it piled high on a soft brioche bun with coleslaw and a crunchy pickle on the side.
The best part?
The pork is cut into smaller chunks and pressure cooked in your Instant Pot, cutting the cooking time down from several hours to a mere 60 minutes.
This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe is also a part of my Six Ingredient Suppers series! Every Monday I’m sharing a new 6 Ingredient Supper our family loves, complete with step by step video and a month-long giveaway that runs in our Facebook community here.
Depending on the size of your family (and their appetites), you’ll probably find that this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe yields leftovers that can be stored in the fridge or the freezer for future meals.
No Instant Pot? Not a problem! Check out my Crock Pot Pulled Pork Recipe or this Easy Slow Cooker Pork Loin — the cooking time for these recipes is significantly longer but the prep time will only take up 10 minutes of your time.
How to make Instant Pot pulled pork:
- Use a pork roast or shoulder: Boneless pork roast or pork shoulder is the most widely used cut to use for pulled pork. Pork shoulder is inexpensive and relatively tough with a generous amount of fat, making it an ideal cut for pressure cooking or slow cooking.
- Smaller chunks > one large roast: cutting your roast into smaller 2-4” pieces ensures that our pork will be fall-apart tender in the 60 minute cook time. It will be juicier and more flavorful, because more of the pork is exposed to the seasoning and the cooking liquid.
- Give the pork a good spice rub before cooking: Make sure you rub the pork chunks with the dry ingredients before adding the juice to your Instant Pot. This will ensure flavorful, extra-tender pulled pork once the meat has finished pressure cooking.
- Choose your liquid: I love the combination of apples and pork together, but if you don’t have apple juice, don’t sweat it (see more options below!). As long as you have enough liquid to pressure cook, you’re all set.
Variations on pulled pork:
Whether you have an Instant Pot or a slow cooker, one of the things that makes pulled pork recipes so ideal is how versatile they are!
- Experiment with your favorite dry seasonings and make a homemade pork rub or or try a commercial spice rub made specifically for pork. You can also substitute other types of juice, like in this recipe for Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork.
- Soda such as cola and Dr. Pepper can also be used in pulled pork recipes, as the pork cooks the sweetness develops depth — no one will be able to guess your secret ingredient!
- This Pulled Pork is naturally dairy and gluten free, just be sure to double check all of your ingredients if serving to guests with allergies
- I often use a pork loin in place of pork shoulder or pork blade roast as listed here. It is not typically used for pulled pork as it is a leaner cut of meat, but I find it cooks up perfectly tender in the Instant Pot and is a great inexpensive swap if you can’t find pork shoulder.
How to store leftover Instant Pot pulled pork:
Leftover Instant Pot pulled pork can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Pulled pork can be frozen for up to 3 months in resealable freezer-safe containers or bags. To freeze pulled pork, make sure it’s cooled completely before portioning and freezing. Try to remove any excess air to prevent freezer burn and mark the pulled pork clearly with the date it’s being frozen.
Pulled pork can be frozen with or without its sauce.
To defrost leftover frozen pulled pork remove from the freezer and place in the refrigerator the night before you plan on using it. Alternately, you can defrost straight from frozen in the microwave!
How to use leftover pulled pork:
Looking for a little leftover inspiration? Leftover pulled pork can be used as a base for all kinds of family-friendly meals!
- Mix with pasta for a quick ragu-like meal (add prepared or homemade tomato sauce if desired).
- Make pulled pork tacos!
- Still in the mood for Tex-Mex? Add leftover pulled pork to enchiladas, burritos, or quesadillas.
- Have a make-your-own pizza night and use leftover pulled pork on top of individual pizzas, pitas, or naan bread.
- Heat up leftover pulled pork and use it to top baked potatoes.
What to serve with Instant Pot pulled pork?
I love to serve this easy Instant Pot pulled pork BBQ-style with soft rolls and plenty of Homemade Coleslaw. This recipe for Instant Pot Baked Beans is another classic side for pulled pork — especially when you’re feeding a crowd.
Looking for more sides to go with Instant Pot pulled pork?
- Easy Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Garlic Herb Instant Pot Potatoes
- Creamy Ranch Bowtie Pasta Salad Recipe
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb boneless pork roast or shoulder cut into 3-4 inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cups unsweetened apple juice
- barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Place your pork chunks in your Instant Pot.
- In a small bowl, combine seasoning salt, brown sugar and garlic powder. Sprinkle over pork and rub to coat, turning to coat all sides.
- Add apple juice in the bottom of the pressure cooker.
- Put the lid on, turn the valve to sealing, and select Manual or Pressure Cook on high pressure and set the cook time for 60 minutes. It will take about 15 minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure and begin the countdown.
- When the cook time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally. This can take up to 15 minutes.
- When the pin drops, open the valve and remove the lid. Use two forks to shred the pork (you can do this right in the juice or on a cutting board) and toss with your favorite barbecue sauce. Serve.
Nutrition Information
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Rebecca says
Made this recipe multiple times and always delicious! Decided to switch things up this last time and use Root Beer. Highly recommend giving it a try.
Ashley Fehr says
I love that idea! Thanks Rebecca!
Josie Daniels says
If I’m halving this recipe (about 1lb pork), do I need to halve the cooking time to 30 minutes still on high pressure?
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Josie! Since all meat will be cut to the same size chunks, even if you have less, the cook time will stay the same 🙂
Kim says
I’m certainly glad I happened upon this recipe! It’s a favorite go to when it’s cold and football is on lol. I never cut the pork up, just left it whole. I get a boneless shoulder. Add some chicken stock, bbq sauce, add a few spices and sits in the crock pot for a few hours. Love when I can walk away. I found the adding Dr pepper interesting and I will definitely have to try that! Leftovers go over rice sometimes.. fries or tater tots little extra BBQ. Depending on my mood, I like a balance of sweet and spicy but if I feel a little cold wanting to invade, spicy all the way! Adding hot sauce 😁. Thank you for the extra ideas!!
Ashley Fehr says
My pleasure Kim!
Melody says
Hi, can i substitute apple juice for chicken stock? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
Deifnitely!
Jess says
If you double, do you need to add more time? I have made this and loved it!! We are hosting people and are making more and I’d rather not make it twice!
Ashley Fehr says
You should be able to cook for the same amount of time since the pork is all cut into small pieces. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it!
Christine says
This recipe is definitely a favorite of mine and my husband! Our favorite way to use the leftovers are to pile it on some cheese fries with sour cream and jalapeños! It’s in my IP right now.. 10 more minutes until it’s done and I can’t wait! Smells so good!
Ashley Fehr says
That’s a great idea! Thanks Christine!
Crystal says
My favourite way to use the leftovers is on a baked homemade macaroni & cheese!
Tracee says
I’m going to try this today.. do you think apple cider would work?
Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely!
Lindsey says
I am making this tonight with Dr Pepper, I don’t have apple juice. Im just unsure if I should put brown sugar in it since Im using soda. It seems I’m also late to the party so you may never see my comment 😂
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Lindsey! You could or you could skip it! The Dr Pepper will likely have more sugar than unsweetened juice so it’s up to you, depending on how sweet you want it
gilibrown0816@gmail.com says
How do I remove my email address from the comment section?
Ashley Fehr says
It looks like you put your email address in the name section as there is no email section in the comment form
Gili says
Can I use frozen pork?
Ashley Fehr says
Yes you can, you will likely want to add 30 minutes or so to the cook time
Tricia says
I made this with apple juice the first time I made it and then I also made it with apple sauce instead of juice because I didn’t have any more juice. I added some water to thin it out and it was still delicious and moist! The family loved it!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Tricia! I’m glad it worked well!
Erica says
Hi there! Just wondering if you use the rack in your pot to keep the pork off the bottom or if your pork chunks are just resting at the bottom? Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
I don’t use the rack since the liquid will make the pork more tender
Joann says
This sounds delicious and best of all, easy! Can I substitute apple cider vinegar for apple juice?
Ashley Fehr says
hi Joann! I wouldn’t substitute apple cider vinegar for apple juice, as vinegar is acidic and juice is sweet. You could use broth or another flavor of juice.
Christina Emrick says
Looks great! Gonna try the soda/Dr. Pepper idea…wish I had all ingredients right now.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christina! Let me know how it goes!
Suzanne says
Popped it in the IP and jumped in the pool…an hour and a half later we were eating dinner and it was so yummy. Tender and tasty to be sure. Thanks.
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Suzanne! I’m so glad!
Debbie Heinrichs says
I still can’t believe there are people who refuse to buy an Instant Pot. I often use mine 2-3 times/day. This Pulled Pork recipe was the first thing my son cooked in his Instant Pot during his first year away at school. His friends thought he was an amazing cook! I had to substitute yesterday because I didn’t have any apple juice. I used cranberry juice instead and it worked great. I don’t want to go shopping for one item during Covid19. Thanks for your great recipes Ashely. Your site is always my first go-to.
Ashley Fehr says
Thank you Debbie! Cranberry juice would be an awesome substitution!
Natalie says
One of my favorite go-to’s!! We love it in burrito’s, sandwiches, & salads!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Natalie!
Christa says
YUM! I was out of brown sugar so I used Dr. Pepper and it worked great. Anything in the Instant Pot for summer is so perfect!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Christa! I’m glad you liked it!
Trang says
This is great for sandwiches and totally kid friendly and easy to reheat! I’ve seen a lot of complicated pulled pork recipes so I love how easy this is.
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Trang! Us too!
Claudia Lamascolo says
After seeing this recipe I am ordering an Instant Pot to try ASAP! Thanks
Ashley Fehr says
You need to!
Kimberly says
Simple to throw together and delicious results, SO good!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Kimberly!