Instant Pot Pulled Pork (Easy Pork Butt Recipe)

This Instant Pot pulled pork is a fast way to make tender shredded pork shoulder or pork butt using pressure cooking instead of traditional slow roasting. With just a few pantry ingredients, you get juicy pulled pork that works for sandwiches, tacos, rice bowls, and meal prep.

If you have an instant pot this delicious pork is hands down one of the easiest family dinners. It makes short work of a 4 pound piece of pork and works every single time.

Addison says, "This pork was melt in your mouth tender! Truly such a great recipe."

Carrie says, "Your recipe is so simple and easy to follow, we will be eating this all the time!"

After making pulled pork countless times in my kitchen, I’ve learned all the tricks to get it perfectly shredded and full of flavor.

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, fear not! You can still make the very best pulled pork using the oven or a slow cooker and I've included methods and timings below.

Jump to:

• Why this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Works
• Instant Pot Pork Butt Ingredients
• How to Make Shredded Pork in the Instant Pot
• Variations
• Expert Tips for Perfect Results
• Serving Suggestions
• How to Store and Freeze Pulled Pork
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
• Pin This Instant Pot Pork Butt - Pulled Pork Shoulder Recipe For Later
• What Do You Think?!
• More Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas
• Printable Recipe
• Instant Pot Pork Butt Recipe
• Reader Comments & Ratings

Why this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Works

• Once cooked, the shredded pork butt can be used in so many different dishes - and it's fantastic for meal prep!

• Pressure cooking makes tough pork shoulder tender quickly. Pork butt has a lot of connective tissue, which normally takes hours to break down. The Instant Pot does this in about an hour.

• The cooking liquid adds flavor. A simple mix of broth, spices, and sauce keeps the pork moist and flavorful while it cooks.

• It shreds perfectly every time. Pork shoulder is the best cut for pulled pork because it stays juicy even under high pressure.

• Instant pot pulled pork is easy to freeze so enjoy some now and save some for later. You can also try my popular recipe for leftover pulled pork tacos.

Instant Pot Pork Butt Ingredients

Find the full list and quantities in the recipe card below.

Pork Butt (pork shoulder / Boston butt)

I have used boneless pork but you could also bone in pork butt or use pork shoulder which is a similar cut of pork.

Broth

This recipe uses chicken broth, however you can also use vegetable stock. Use fresh stock, a carton of stock or a bouillon cube as they will all work in this dish.

Dry Rub Ingredients

Sugar - brown sugar has the molasses flavor that you want in this dry rub. It is essential that you don't skip the sugar as it really will affect the taste.

Salt -again don't be tempted to cut back or skip on the salt as you need to properly season the pork and salt helps cut through the fatty pork.

Spices - I have used a combination of paprika, garlic powder and onion powder as that gives great flavor to the pork. However, you could also add in some cayenne pepper, chili powder or some ground fennel seeds. Use the spice flavors that you enjoy.

To Serve

BBQ Sauce - use your favorite barbecue sauce, you can go sweet, smoky or spicy, or a combination of all three, whatever your preference. Some great sauces that I've used in are Texan, Carolina and Kansas BBQ sauces.

How to Make Shredded Pork in the Instant Pot

Find the full printable recipe card below.

I usually start with around a 4lb pork butt.

Prepare the pork by trimming any excess fat cap, removing bones and cutting it into 4 equal pieces. This helps faster and even cooking.

In a small bowl, mix the sugar, salt and spices to make a dry rub. Coat the pork chunks in the dry rub - make sure all sides are well coated.

Use the Instant Pot sauté mode to sear the pork chunks in olive oil until they are browned on all sides. Do this one at a time. Remove and set aside.

Use chicken broth to deglaze the bottom of the pan making sure scrape up all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the pork back and add the Instant Pot lid. Set the valve to sealing and set to pressure cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.

Allow a natural release for 15 minutes then manually release any remaining pressure. Remove the pork with a slotted spoon and for the best results, allow to reset for 10 minutes.

Shred the pork, combine with BBQ sauce and serve.

What is the best way to pull pork?

I like to keep things simple and use either a potato masher or 2 forks to separate the pork once it's cooked. You can also allow the pork to cool and use your hands.

How to Get Crispy Pulled Pork

If you like crispy edges on your pulled pork (similar to slow-roasted barbecue), you can add a quick finishing step.

Spread the shredded pork in a thin layer on a baking sheet and drizzle a few spoonfuls of the cooking liquid or barbecue sauce over the top. Place it under the broiler for 3–5 minutes until the edges start to crisp.

This simple step adds extra flavor and texture while keeping the pork juicy inside.

Variations

This basic Instant Pot pulled pork recipe is easy to customize depending on how you want to serve it.

Classic BBQ Pulled Pork: Stir your favorite barbecue sauce into the shredded pork and serve on buns with coleslaw.

Mexican-Style Pulled Pork: Add cumin, chili powder and oregano to the seasoning. Serve the pork in tacos or burrito bowls with lime and avocado.

Garlic Herb Pulled Pork: Season the pork with garlic, rosemary and thyme and serve it with roasted vegetables or potatoes.

Other Flavor Ideas:

Add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to the chicken broth to cut through the richness.

Some people also like to add liquid smoke, for an authentic BBQ taste.

Replace some of the the chicken stock with some regular or cherry cola. Some people also like to add apple juice.

Swap the BBQ sauce for some maple syrup and Dijon mustard.

Expert Tips for Perfect Results

Cooking time in the Instant Pot depends on the size of the meat pieces and how close to room temperature they are — smaller chunks cook faster and more evenly. Aim for an internal temperature of about 195‑205 °F for the most tender pulled pork.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Cook Time Guide

If your pork roast is a different size or you need to scale the recipe, use this quick guide for cook times.

Pork Butt Weight	Pressure Cook Time	Natural Release
2 lb	40–45 min	10 min
3 lb	50–55 min	10 min
4 lb	60 min	15 min
5 lb	70 min	15 min

When meat is this melt in the mouth tender you can actually 'pull' it gently by mashing with a potato masher. You can also shred it with 2 forks or by using clean hands (when cooled slightly).

Don't forget to use that delicious cooking liquid. I like to add a little of the cooking liquor at the end to loosen the BBQ sauce.

Remember your the inner pot can go in the dishwasher for easy clean up.

How Much Pulled Pork Do You Need?

When planning portion sizes, aim for about ⅓ to ½ pound of cooked pulled pork per person — more if you’re serving big sandwiches or hungry guests. If using uncooked weight, a 4–5 lb pork butt will usually feed about 8 people comfortably with leftovers for sandwiches or meal prep.

Serving Suggestions

Pulled pork is incredibly versatile — serve it in sandwiches, burrito bowls, wraps, salads or tacos. The list is endless.

I like to serve this instant pot pork butt with my Easy Corn Ribs, my No Mayo Potato Salad or Coleslaw, which are both fan favorites on the blog! My ever popular Mashed Potatoes are a classic accompaniment and these Sweet Potato Fries also work perfectly.

How to Store and Freeze Pulled Pork

Leftover pulled pork keeps very well, which makes it great for meal prep.

• Refrigerator: Store shredded pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add a little of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.

• Freezer: Pulled pork freezes beautifully. Store it in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.

• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce to keep the meat juicy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cut of pork is best for pulled pork?

Pork butt (also called Boston butt or pork shoulder) is ideal because the fat and connective tissue break down beautifully when pressure cooked, giving tender, juicy meat.

Can you cook frozen pork in the Instant Pot?

Yes — it will work, but add 15–30 minutes to the pressure cooking time and make sure the pork reaches about 195–205 °F internally before shredding.

What temperature should cooked pulled pork be inside?

The ideal temperature for cooked pulled pork is 205ºF. This is higher than the usual recommended 165ºF as the higher internal temperature allows the collagen in the pork butt to break right down. This results in the meat becoming so tender it can literally be pulled apart.

More Easy Instant Pot Recipes

If you enjoy quick pressure cooker dinners, here are a few more Instant Pot recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights:

Chicken and Noodles –tender chicken and noodles in a cozy one-pot broth.
Chicken Stew – a hearty stew with chicken, potatoes and vegetables.
Pulled Lamb Leg – tender shredded lamb cooked until juicy and flavorful.
Beef Curry with Coconut Milk – a rich curry with beef in creamy coconut sauce.
Bean Soup (vegan) – a hearty soup with beans, vegetables and herbs.

Pin This Instant Pot Pork Butt - Pulled Pork Shoulder Recipe For Later

What Do You Think?!

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