There’s nothing quite like the irresistible aroma and melt-in-your-mouth texture of perfectly cooked pulled pork. Traditionally, achieving this culinary masterpiece demands hours of slow cooking or smoking, a luxury not everyone can afford. However, with the versatile Instant Pot, you can transform country-style ribs into tender, juicy pulled pork in a fraction of the time, without compromising on that incredible, deep flavor. This method has become a go-to for countless home cooks, delivering outstanding results with remarkable efficiency. Get ready to discover your new favorite way to make pulled pork!
Whether you’re hosting a lively backyard barbecue, planning a cozy family dinner, or gathering with friends, this Instant Pot pulled pork recipe offers the perfect solution for a fuss-free and utterly delicious meal. Prepare to impress everyone with minimal effort – truly, all meals should be this easy and satisfying!
Why This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Will Become Your Favorite
This Instant Pot pulled pork recipe isn’t just another dish; it’s a game-changer for anyone who loves hearty, flavorful meals but is short on time. Here’s why you’ll absolutely adore adding this to your recipe collection:
Unbeatable Time-Saving Convenience
Say goodbye to the grueling hours typically associated with slow cooking or smoking a pork shoulder. The Instant Pot harnesses the power of pressure cooking, significantly reducing the cooking time from an entire day to about an hour. Utilizing country-style ribs further streamlines the process, as they come pre-cut, allowing you to skip the initial butchering step. Imagine having tender, perfectly shredded pork ready to enjoy after a busy workday – that’s the magic of this recipe.
Foolproof Perfection Every Time
One of the greatest advantages of the Instant Pot is its ability to produce consistently tender and flavorful results. The sealed, high-pressure environment ensures that moisture and seasoning are thoroughly infused into every morsel of meat. This makes the recipe incredibly forgiving, practically guaranteeing succulent pork that falls apart with just a fork. Even if you’re new to pressure cooking, you’ll feel like a seasoned chef with this reliable method.
Incredible Versatility for Any Occasion
This recipe provides a fantastic foundational flavor for pulled pork that is incredibly easy to customize. It’s a blank canvas for your culinary creativity! Whether you prefer a smoky barbecue flavor, a zesty Caribbean twist, or a spicy Mexican-inspired filling, you can easily adapt this base with your favorite seasonings, sauces, or spices. This versatility means you can make it your own and serve it in countless delicious ways, from classic sandwiches to creative bowls and tacos.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pulled Pork
Creating mouthwatering Instant Pot pulled pork requires just a few key ingredients. Focusing on quality and the right blend of flavors will elevate your dish to the next level.
- Pork: Boneless Country-Style Ribs: For this recipe, I highly recommend using boneless country-style ribs. These cuts are actually strips of pork shoulder, offering an ideal balance of lean meat and marbling, which contributes to their incredible tenderness and flavor when pressure cooked. Their pre-cut nature saves you prep time, making this recipe even faster. While you can use a pork shoulder roast, country-style ribs are a fantastic shortcut.
- Seasoning: The Secret to Depth of Flavor: A robust dry rub is crucial for infusing the pork with layers of flavor. My personal blend includes rich brown sugar for sweetness, smoked paprika for a hint of smoky depth, garlic powder and onion powder for aromatic complexity, and a foundational mix of salt and black pepper. This combination creates a perfect balance that complements the pork beautifully.
- Broth or Water: The Pressure Cooking Essential: The Instant Pot requires a minimum amount of liquid to create pressure and cook food properly. Using a low-sodium chicken or beef broth will add an extra layer of flavor to your pulled pork and the resulting cooking liquid. In a pinch, water works perfectly fine and will still yield fantastic results.
How to Master Instant Pot Pulled Pork with Country-Style Ribs
Follow these straightforward steps to achieve incredibly tender and flavorful pulled pork in your Instant Pot:
Step 1: The Flavorful Dry Rub Marinade
The foundation of truly exceptional pulled pork lies in a quality dry rub. I became hooked on using a dry rub a few years ago because it’s such an easy yet effective way to infuse the meat with deep, savory-sweet flavors. My homemade sweet dry rub is a simple blend of spices I always have on hand, but feel free to use your favorite store-bought seasoning mix if you prefer. Generously sprinkle the dry rub all over the country-style rib strips, ensuring every surface is coated. Cover the seasoned meat and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even richer flavor, aim for 60 minutes, or for those who plan ahead, seasoning the meat the night before and refrigerating it overnight works wonders.
Step 2: Searing for Enhanced Flavor
This crucial step locks in moisture and develops a rich, caramelized crust on the pork, adding incredible depth to the final dish. Preheat your Instant Pot by selecting the “Saute” function. Once the pot indicates it’s hot (usually with a “Hot” display or after a few minutes), add a drizzle of olive oil or your preferred cooking oil. Carefully place the pork pieces into the hot pot, ensuring not to overcrowd it. You’ll likely need to work in a couple of batches, depending on the amount of pork you’re cooking. Sear the pork for a few minutes on each side until beautifully browned. This Maillard reaction creates complex flavors that cannot be achieved through pressure cooking alone. Once seared, remove the pork and set it aside momentarily.
Step 3: Deglazing the Pot
After searing, there will be delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of your Instant Pot. These bits are pure flavor! Turn off the “Saute” function. Add a small amount of broth (chicken or beef works well) or even water to the pot. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom. This process, known as deglazing, not only incorporates those rich flavors into your cooking liquid but also helps prevent the dreaded “Burn” error during pressure cooking. I often use whatever broth I have on hand in the fridge, and in a pinch, water truly works perfectly. Plus, it’s a simple step that significantly enhances the overall taste.
Step 4: Pressure Cooking to Perfection
Return the seared pork pieces to the Instant Pot, ensuring they are nestled comfortably in the deglazed liquid. Secure the lid and make sure the sealing valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Meat/Stew” function (or Manual/Pressure Cook) and set the cooking time to 18 minutes on high pressure. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking countdown begins, typically around 10-15 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, resist the urge to immediately release the pressure.
Step 5: Natural Pressure Release
Allow the Instant Pot to perform a natural pressure release for at least 20-30 minutes. This is a critical step for achieving incredibly tender and juicy pulled pork, as it allows the meat to rest and reabsorb its juices. Once the natural release is complete, or after the recommended time, carefully turn the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure. Open the lid away from your face to avoid the steam.
Step 6: Shred and Serve
Once the pressure has fully released, it’s time to shred! You can carefully remove the cooked pork to a large pan or cutting board, or if you prefer, shred it directly in the Instant Pot. Using two forks, easily pull the pork apart – it should be so tender that it practically shreds itself. For an even quicker shredding hack, you can place the larger pieces of cooked pork into a stand mixer with the paddle attachment and run it on low speed for about 30 seconds. Serve your delicious, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork on soft buns, sliders, or alongside your favorite side dishes. Don’t forget to spoon some of the flavorful cooking liquid over the shredded meat; this adds an extra burst of moisture and enhances the overall taste. Enjoy!
Creative Serving Suggestions for Your Pulled Pork
Once you’ve mastered this incredible Instant Pot pulled pork, the serving possibilities are endless! Its rich flavor and tender texture make it a versatile star for any meal. Here are some fantastic ideas to inspire you:
- Classic Pulled Pork Sandwiches: The quintessential way to enjoy pulled pork! Pile high on soft, toasted brioche buns with a generous dollop of creamy coleslaw and crisp pickles. Drizzle with your favorite barbecue sauce for the ultimate comfort food experience.
- Pulled Pork Tacos or Lettuce Wraps: For a lighter, fresher take, wrap the flavorful pork in warm corn or flour tortillas with fresh salsa, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Alternatively, use crisp lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
- Hearty Entrée with Sides: Serve the pulled pork as a satisfying main course alongside comforting sides like creamy mashed potatoes, perfectly roasted vegetables (think asparagus or green beans), or a vibrant fresh green salad. This makes for a balanced and fulfilling meal.
- Game Day Nachos: Elevate your snack game! Use the pulled pork to create epic air fryer nachos. Layer tortilla chips with shredded pork, plenty of cheese, jalapeños, and your favorite toppings for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.
- Loaded Baked Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes: A simple yet delicious idea. Split open a fluffy baked potato or sweet potato, fluff the inside, and load it with pulled pork, a dollop of sour cream, chives, and cheese.
- Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese: Stir the shredded pork into your favorite homemade or boxed macaroni and cheese for a truly indulgent and satisfying dish.
- Quesadillas or Burrito Bowls: For a quick lunch or dinner, make cheesy pulled pork quesadillas. Or, create vibrant burrito bowls with rice, beans, corn, and pulled pork.
Substitutions and Flavorful Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly adaptable. Feel free to explore these substitutions and variations to tailor the pulled pork to your taste and what you have on hand:
Meat Choices:
- Pork Shoulder (Pork Butt): The classic choice for pulled pork is a larger pork shoulder roast (often labeled as pork butt). Many traditional recipes instruct you to cut the roast into smaller chunks before cooking. If you prefer, you can certainly use a 3-5 lb pork shoulder roast for this recipe. Just be sure to cut it into roughly 2-inch chunks to ensure even cooking in the Instant Pot within the given time.
- Boneless Country-Style Ribs: As highlighted, boneless country-style ribs are my preferred choice due to their convenience and excellent texture. They are typically cut from the blade end of the loin, near the shoulder, offering a good amount of marbling and a succulent result. The main advantage is that they are already in strips, allowing you to skip the meat-cutting step and jump straight into seasoning and searing.
Alternative Cooking Methods:
While the Instant Pot is celebrated for its speed, some purists believe that pulled pork achieves its ultimate tenderness and depth of flavor through long, slow cooking. If you have the time, you have excellent traditional options:
- Slow Cooker/Crockpot Method: After applying your chosen dry rub and searing the meat on the stovetop (to lock in those delicious flavors), transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add your liquid (broth or water) and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is fall-apart tender. This method requires minimal hands-on time once it’s set.
- Smoker: For the most authentic barbecue flavor, a smoker is the way to go. Use your dry rub and smoke your pork shoulder at a low temperature (e.g., 225-275°F) for many hours, typically 8-12, until it reaches an internal temperature of around 200-205°F. This method yields a smoky bark and incredibly tender meat.
- Oven Roasting: You can also achieve tender pulled pork in the oven. Season and sear the pork as described, then place it in a Dutch oven or a covered roasting pan with liquid. Bake at a low temperature (around 275-300°F) for 3-4 hours, or until fork-tender.
Flavor Profile Variations:
- Spicy Pulled Pork: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your dry rub, or drizzle with a spicy BBQ sauce after shredding.
- Sweet & Tangy: Incorporate apple cider vinegar or a touch more brown sugar into the cooking liquid for a sweeter and tangier profile.
- Smoky Chipotle: Add chipotle powder to your dry rub for an earthy, smoky heat.
- Asian-Inspired: Use a rub with ginger, five-spice powder, and a dash of soy sauce in the cooking liquid for an East Asian twist.
Storage and Reheating Tips
If you’re fortunate enough to have leftovers (which is highly likely with this generous recipe!), proper storage ensures you can enjoy your delicious pulled pork for days to come:
- Refrigerator: Allow the pulled pork to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For longer-term storage, the freezer is your best friend. Place the cooled pulled pork in freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Gently reheat pulled pork in the microwave, on the stovetop over low heat, or in a slow cooker. To maintain its moisture and juiciness, always add a splash of extra broth, water, or your favorite barbecue sauce during reheating. This prevents the meat from drying out.
This simple yet satisfying Instant Pot pulled pork is truly a versatile dish, perfect for everything from festive holiday gatherings to effortless weeknight dinners, or simply whenever that craving for tender, flavorful pulled pork strikes. Enjoy the ease and incredible taste!
📖 Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork (with Country Ribs)
Instant Pot Pulled Pork (with Country Ribs)
Love pulled pork but short on time? The Instant Pot delivers melt-in-your-mouth goodness without the wait.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Pressurize, depressurize: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 8 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 238 kcal
Author: Sula
Ingredients
- 5 lbs pork country-style ribs
- 2 TB dry rub
- 1 teaspoon oil (olive or other)
- ¾ cup water or broth
Instructions
- Sprinkle all surfaces of the strips of meat with the seasoning. Cover and let marinate for 30-60 minutes.
- Start the Instant Pot with the sauté function. Add the oil, then the meat. Sear the meat for at least 2 minutes for each side or edge. Remove seared pieces from the pot.
- Turn off the sauté function and add the liquid. Then add all the pork pieces back to the pot.
- Cover and seal the Instant Pot and turn on the Meat/Stew setting (18 minutes).
- Once the cooking cycle is done, allow the Pot to vent naturally before opening. (20-30 minutes)
- Shred meat with two forks and serve.
Video
Notes
With the time to pressurize and vent, total time needed is a little more than an hour. You can also let the Instant Pot sit even longer on the “keep warm” setting until you are ready to shred and serve.
You can easily scale this recipe down for a weeknight dinner with fewer leftovers. Just use the amount of seasoning appropriate for the amount of pork you have. The cooking times remain the same.
Nutrition
Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 91mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 25IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1.3mg
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
More Delicious Serving Ideas
Beyond the suggestions above, consider these fresh and flavorful salads that perfectly complement the richness of pulled pork:
- Try a refreshing Greek Cucumber Salad for a crisp, tangy contrast.
- A classic and comforting easy Potato Salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
- For a vibrant and zesty option, pair it with a Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad.
- And don’t forget a sweet and savory Corn Salad, which adds a wonderful texture and sweetness.
📖 Recipe: Sweet Dry Rub for Pork (or Chicken)
Sweet Dry Rub for Pork (or Chicken)
A delicious seasoning mix for your meat! This sweet dry rub is the perfect blend of sweetness and flavor.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Course: Main Course (Seasoning)
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 (approximate, sufficient for 5 lbs of pork)
Calories: 240 kcal
Author: Sula
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1-½ TB paprika
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1-½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a bowl.
- Sprinkle generously on meat before cooking, ensuring even coverage.
- Store any leftover dry rub in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for future use.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4672mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 1675IU | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data. This nutrition information is for the dry rub itself, not per serving of pork.