• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe

Jo's Kitchen Larder

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Published: Jul 9, 2019 · Modified: Jan 11, 2022 by joskitchenlarder · 8 Comments. · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Bookmark Bookmarked!
    Bowl with bbq pulled pork.

    Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork is incredibly tender & covered in mouthwatering, homemade smoky bbq sauce. My recipe is quick & easy to make and uses simple, everyday ingredients to create crowd pleasing feast!  You will find slow cooker & oven instructions as well!

    Bowl with bbq pulled pork.

    It's been a while since I've shared a recipe you can make in the Instant Pot* and as the season for garden parties & picnics is now in full swing, my famous BBQ pulled pork recipe seemed like a good one.

    If you are a fan of pulled pork this one is out of this world good! Instant Pot or any pressure cooker makes it super quick and easy too! However, I do recognise that not everyone might own Instant Pot and so I've included detailed instructions for slow cooker* and oven. This recipe is simply too good not to make whatever the means!

    What is the best cut of meat for pulled pork?

    Pork shoulder! You want a cut that is not too lean and shoulder is simply perfect. I would not recommend using pork loin here, the results will simply not be the same!

    I would go for deboned, rolled shoulder. The piece I used in this recipe was 1.2kg/2.65lb in weight but once I've gotten rid of the outer layer of fatty rind I've ended up with 1kg/2.2lb worth of meat. You could use pork shoulder steaks or chunks too, whatever you've got access to and budget for. You can always use larger joint of meat as well (up to 2kg/4lb) without any change to the timings in the recipe below.

    If you are are making your pulled pork in the oven, you can keep the rind on for a lovely crackling (see recipe instructions below). You can go for some crackling if you are using Instant Pot or slow cooker too, simply roast the rind in the oven separately.

    BBQ pulled pork in an open bun.

    Can I use shop bought BBQ sauce instead of making my own?

    If you have your favourite BBQ sauce and you'd like to use it here instead of making your own, feel free to do so. Simply use 250ml/1cup of your favourite sauce in place of the homemade one.

    We all love homemade BBQ sauce in this recipe and the amount yielded here is perfect for 1kg worth of meat. However if you find yourself in need of more sauce, you can always make a double batch as it stores well in the fridge (for up to a week) or you can freeze it (for up to 3 months).

    BBQ pulled pork in a bun with top tilted.

    How to serve Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork?

    You might have already noticed my very favourite way of serving it! Sliders ladies and gentlemen! I absolutely adore these little buns (brioche ones for me) filled to the brim with melt in the mouth bbq pulled pork, some green onions and extra bbq sauce! Few sweet and sour gherkin slices on the side and that's me done!

    Check out some other serving ideas:

    • Easy Yogurt Bread Rolls - great alternative to brioche buns
    • With my Perfect Greek Tzatziki or homemade Cucumber Raita
    • With a side of Homemade Fresh Tomato Salsa (Pico De Gallo)
    • Easy Flatbread (No Yeast) - top it with bbq pulled pork to make flatbread pizza! Soo good!
    • Creamy Summer Coleslaw
    • Easy Grated Carrot Salad
    • Baked Polenta Chips (Polenta Fries)
    • Alongside this Aubergine, Tomato & Mozzarella Bake
    • Use it instead of ham in this One Pot Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta
    • Use it to make delicious Pulled Pork Burritos

    Storing and freezing BBQ pulled pork

    Keep bbq pulled pork in the airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    You can also freeze it shredded in the sauce in freezer safe bags/containers for up to 3 months.  Defrost in the fridge overnight, mix with extra bbq sauce if required.

    BBQ pulle pork in a bun on a plate.

    How to make Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork - Step-By-Step Instructions

    1. Start with preparing your pork shoulder joint by cutting off any excess fat and cutting it into two or more pieces (depending on the size of your joint of meat).
    2. Put all the rub ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pop in your pork shoulder pieces and toss them in the rub until well covered. If you have time, cover the bowl and pop in the fridge to marinate for an hour or so otherwise move on to the next step.

    Pork shoulder covered in dry rub in a bowl.

    3. Put 2 tablespoon of oil in your Instant Pot and press "Sauté" function button which should be set to High. Sear your pork pieces on all sides for a few minutes until nicely browned (you might want to do this in batches).
    Pork shoulder frying in the Instant Pot.
    Two pork pieces being fried in an Instant Pot.
    4. Once seared set your meat aside and turn off the Instant Pot by pressing "Keep Warm/Cancel" button. Use the chicken stock or water to deglaze the pot. Scrape all the "burnt" bits using wooden spoon.
    Instant Pot being deglazed.
    5. Prepare your BBQ sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a jug.
    BBQ sauce ingredients.
    BBQ sauce in a jug.
    6. Pour it into the Instant Pot and mix in gently with the stock/water you used for deglazing. Sit the pork pieces in the sauce and put the lid on. Turn the vent to "Sealing" position and press Meat/Stew button making sure it's set on High and set the timer for 60 minutes. Once the time is up let the Instant Pot to do NPR (Natural Pressure Release) for 10 minutes and after that move vento into "Venting" position and do QPR (Quick Pressure Release). Make sure you take care when doing it as you don't want to get burnt.
    Pork in the Instant Pot sitting in a sauce.
    Front of Instant Pot showing 60 minutes.
    Cooked pork pieces in the Instant Pot.
    7. Open the Instant Pot and take out the pork which will be falling apart. Once again press the "Sauté" function button and let the BBQ sauce thicken up nicely which will take approx. 15 minutes.
    BBQ sauce bubbling away in the Instant Pot.
    8. In the meantime shred the pork using two forks.
    9. Once the sauce has thicken up pour it into a jug or a jar. There will be visible layer of pork fat that will form on top which you can simply pour away before you mix some of the BBQ sauce with your pulled pork (you can use this handy fat separator*).  Make sure you save some to serve on the side later.
    Shredded pork in a bowl.
    Shredded pork in a bowl covered with sauce.
    Bowl with bbq pulled pork.
    Print Pin
    5 from 4 votes

    Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

    Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork is incredibly tender & covered in mouthwatering, homemade smoky bbq sauce. My recipe is quick & easy to make and uses simple, everyday ingredients to create crowd pleasing feast! You will find slow cooker & oven instructions as well!
    Course Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American, British, International
    Keyword bbq pork, easy recipe, Instant Pot, Instant Pot pulled pork, pulled pork

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot*
    • Slow Cooker*
    • Large Cast Iron Round Casserole Pan, 26 cm*
    • Fat separator*
    • Large Non-Stick Frying Pan*
    • Large Roasting Tin*
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Marinating 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 400kcal
    Author Jo Allison

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1.2 kg boneless pork shoulder extra fat removed, meat cut in half (see notes)
    • 125 ml chicken stock or water to deglaze Instant Pot
    • 2 tablespoon rapeseed/olive oil for searing meat
    • 12 slider/burger buns to serve

    Rub

    • 1 tablespoon demarara or brown sugar
    • 2 teaspoon (heaped) smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
    • ½ tablespoon sea salt flakes
    • ½ tablespoon freshly ground pepper

    BBQ sauce

    • 6 tablespoon demarara or brown sugar
    • 6 tablespoon tomato puree
    • 6 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 60 ml watered down ketchup half ketchup half water

    Instructions

    • Start with preparing your pork shoulder joint by cutting off any excess fat and cutting it into two or more large pieces (depending on the size of your meat joint).
    • Put all the rub ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pop in your pork shoulder pieces and toss them in your rub until well covered. If you have time, cover the bowl and pop in the fridge to marinate for an hour or so otherwise move on to the next step.

    Instant Pot Instructions

    • Put 2 tablespoon of oil in your Instant Pot and press "Sauté" function button which should be set to High. Sear your pork pieces on all sides for a few minutes until nicely browned (you might want to do this in batches).
    • Once seared set your meat aside and turn off the Instant Pot by pressing "Keep Warm/Cancel" button. Use the chicken stock or water to deglaze the pot. Scrape all the "burnt" bits using wooden spoon.
    • Prepare your BBQ sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a jug. Pour it into the Instant Pot and mix in gently with the stock/water you used for deglazing. Sit the pork pieces in the sauce and put the lid on. Turn the vent to "Sealing" position and press Meat/Stew button making sure it's set on High and set the timer for 60 minutes. Once the time is up let the Instant Pot to do NPR (Natural Pressure Release) for 10 minutes and after that move vento into "Venting" position and do QPR (Quick Pressure Release). Make sure you take care when doing it as you don't want to get burnt.
    • Open the Instant Pot and take out the pork which will be falling apart. Once again press the "Sauté" function button and let the BBQ sauce thicken up nicely which will take approx. 15 minutes. In the meantime shred the pork using two forks.
    • Once the sauce has thicken up pour it into a jug or a jar. There will be visible layer of pork fat that will form on top which you can simply pour away before you mix some of the BBQ sauce with your pulled pork. Make sure you save some to serve on the side later.
    • Serve with in buns as sliders or burgers with your choice of sides.

    Slow Cooker Instructions

    • Follow the instructions above until you are ready to sear the meat. Heat up the oil in a large frying pan and sear your meat on all sides then set aside.
    • Deglaze your frying pan with chicken stock or water and using wooden spoon scrape every single "burnt' bit of flavour. Pour the liquid into your slow cooker.
    • Mix all the BBQ sauce ingredients together in a jug and add these to the slow cooker as well. Mix in gently with chicken stock/water you've used for deglazing.
    • Add your seared pork pieces and nestle them in the sauce. Pop the lid on and cook on HIGH for 6-8 hours or on LOW 8-10 hours until fork tender and easily shreddable. If your BBQ sauce needs thickening up, simply pour it into the saucepan and reduce until nice and thick (see above). Mix some of the BBQ sauce with shredded pork serving rest on the side.

    Oven instructions

    • For oven method you can keep the skin on if you'd like some crackling with your pulled pork. For this method you will keep the pork joint in one piece. Preheat the oven to 160C/320F/Gas Mark 3.
    • Follow the instructions above for dry rub mix and coat your meat in it really well. Place your pork joint into the large roasting tin with 250ml (1 cup) of hot chicken stock or water. Cover the tin well with a large piece of aluminum foil (alternatively you could roast your pork in a large lidded casserole type pot and pop the lid on).
    • Roast your meat covered for 4 hours and after that time take the foil/lid off and turn up the heat to 220C/425F/gas Mark 7 for approx 30 minutes to get that crackling.
    • Take the roast out of the oven and gently remove the crackling. Using two forks shred the meat into pieces.
    • For BBQ sauce, combine all the ingredients in the large jug and mix them into the pork juices. Simmer gently on the stove until reduced, thick and glossy. Mix some of the BBQ sauce with the pork and save some to serve on the side.

    Notes

    • Nutritional information is approximate, per serving of BBQ pulled pork (no buns) and should be treated as a guideline only.
    • Feel free to use pork shoulder steaks or cubed pork shoulder instead of a joint. You can also use larger piece (up to 2kg/4lb) without affecting the timings. Feel free to keep the rind and cook it separately in the oven to make crackling. 
    • Feel free to use your favourite shop bought BBQ sauce instead, simply use 250ml/1cup instead of the homemade one. 
    • Store cooked bbq pulled pork in the fridge in the airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze in the sauce for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight, mix with extra bbq sauce if required.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 400 Calories from Fat 108
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 12g18%
    Saturated Fat 3g15%
    Cholesterol 121mg40%
    Sodium 1882mg78%
    Potassium 1033mg30%
    Carbohydrates 23g8%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 18g20%
    Protein 48g96%
    Vitamin A 625IU13%
    Vitamin C 2.8mg3%
    Calcium 45mg5%
    Iron 3.7mg21%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Tag me @Joskitchenlarder or use hashtag #joskitchenlarder!

    Similar recipes you might enjoy:

    Oven Baked Pork Chops with Carrots & Cheese Crust

    Shepherd's Pie with Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

    Roast Chicken Traybake with Shallots & Wild Garlic Pesto

    Braised Pork Chops with Leeks & Carrots

    Chinese Style Braised Beef with Soy and Ginger

    BBQ pulled pork in a bun with top tilted, close up.

    MAKE SURE YOU STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST RECIPES FROM JO’S KITCHEN LARDER

    Subscribe to our newsletter




    Have you tried my Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post, I love reading them!

    You can also come and say hello over on my Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest

    Pin Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork For Later!

    Bowl with bbq pulled pork.

    LINKIES

    Cook Blog Share

    *This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and go on to buy the product I recommend, I will get a small commission, but you will not be charged a penny more. I only recommend products I own or really like and which caught my attention. Thanks in advance for supporting Jo’s Kitchen Larder!

    More Instant Pot Recipes

    • Curried Swede Soup (Instant Pot / Stovetop)
    • Instant Pot Creamy Cauliflower Cheese Soup
    • How To Make Chicken Stock in Instant Pot
    • Instant Pot Fennel & Leek Risotto
    106 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Please leave a comment & rating if you've made my recipe! Feel free to ask questions too, I reply to all! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie says

      July 16, 2019 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      Oh my - this looks amazing. What a lovely easy and relatively speedy way of making pulled pork! Eb x

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        July 18, 2019 at 8:20 am

        Thanks Eb! 🙂 There is definitely very little effort involved here and the results are super yummy. x

        Reply
    2. Monika Dabrowski says

      July 11, 2019 at 7:18 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this looks amazing! My boys could eat this absolutely every day! Thank you for bringing your delicious recipe to #CookBlogShare

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        July 11, 2019 at 8:11 am

        Thanks Monika! 🙂 Mine too lol

        Reply
    3. Donna says

      July 10, 2019 at 7:01 am

      5 stars
      Oh that looks so yummy! I love pulled pork and haven't had it for ages!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        July 10, 2019 at 8:20 am

        Thanks Donna! 🙂 We've had it recently after a while and enjoyed it a lot!

        Reply
    4. Cat | Curly's Cooking says

      July 09, 2019 at 4:27 pm

      5 stars
      Pork is my absolute favourite, especially pulled pork. This looks incredible, I would probably eat the whole lot!

      Reply
      • joskitchenlarder says

        July 10, 2019 at 8:19 am

        Thanks so much Cat! We love pulled pork, it's always such a treat!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I’m Jo and this blog is where I share lots of simple, family friendly and mostly plant based recipes we enjoy eating and now you can easily recreate at home.

    More about me →

    Trending

    • How to cook beetroot (Roasting, Boiling, Steaming)
    • Easy Wholemeal Bread Recipe (No Knead)
    • Vegetarian Sausage Rolls Recipe
    • Healthy Banana Flapjacks

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy & Disclosures

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2017- 2022 Jo's Kitchen Larder | All Rights Reserved