Instant Pot Pulled Pork (Fall-Apart Tender + Juicy)

5 from 11 votes

This easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork is incredibly juicy, soft + super tasty. Here's the secret to fall-apart-tender pork in just 1 hour 🤫

Prep Time10

Cook Time1 15

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Instant Pot Pulled Pork, Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork

Servings:

Prep the Pork: Cut the pork into 4 pieces. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the spice mix all over the pork pieces.
Sear the Pork: Set the Instant Pot to "Sauté" mode and add olive oil. Once hot, sear each pork piece for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. Remove the pork and set it aside.
Note: Garlic and onion powder burn quickly so watch carefully.
Deglaze the Pot: Add chicken broth and vinegar to the pot. Scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon (this adds flavor and prevents the burn warning).
Pressure Cook: Return the pork to the pot and sprinkle brown sugar over the top. Close the lid, set the valve to "Sealing," and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
Natural Release: Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then carefully switch to "Venting" to release any remaining pressure.
Shred the Pork: Remove the pork pieces and shred them using two forks. Discard any excess fat if desired.
Mix with Sauce: Return the shredded pork to the pot and stir it into the cooking liquid.

Choosing the right cut: For the best results, use pork shoulder or pork butt. These cuts have the right balance of fat and connective tissue, ensuring tender and flavorful pulled pork.
Storage tips: Allow leftovers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat pulled pork, add a splash of broth or water to keep it moist. Use the microwave or stovetop for gentle reheating.
Thickening the sauce: If the cooking liquid is too thin after cooking, use the Instant Pot’s sauté function to reduce it to your desired consistency before mixing it with the shredded pork.