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Tender Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe with Juicy Barbecue Sauce Easy and Perfect

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A quick and easy Instant Pot pulled pork recipe that delivers tender, juicy meat with a rich homemade barbecue sauce, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), well-marbled
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (60 ml)
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water (240 ml)
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce (240 ml), thick and smoky
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for searing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder, leaving some for juiciness. Pat dry with paper towels. (5 minutes)
  2. In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and optional chili powder or cayenne pepper. (3 minutes)
  3. Generously coat the pork shoulder with the dry rub, pressing it into the meat on all sides. Let sit for 10 minutes if possible. (10 minutes)
  4. Set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and heat olive oil. Sear pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. (15 minutes)
  5. Remove pork and set aside. Pour chicken broth and apple cider vinegar into the pot, scraping up browned bits. (2 minutes)
  6. Place pork shoulder back into the Instant Pot. Seal lid and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 60 minutes. Ensure valve is set to sealing. (60 minutes cooking)
  7. Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Open lid carefully. (15-20 minutes)
  8. Transfer pork to a large plate or bowl and shred with two forks into bite-sized pieces. (5 minutes)
  9. Pour barbecue sauce over shredded pork and stir well to coat. (3 minutes)
  10. Optional: Return sauced pork to Instant Pot on ‘Sauté’ mode for 5 minutes to warm and thicken sauce. (5 minutes)

Notes

Searing the pork before pressure cooking adds extra flavor and a nice crust. Let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes to keep the pork juicy and tender. If pork isn’t shredding easily, cook under pressure a few more minutes. Use gluten-free broth and barbecue sauce for gluten-free version. Leftovers store well refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot pulled pork, pulled pork recipe, barbecue pulled pork, easy pulled pork, pressure cooker pork, family dinner, barbecue sauce

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/tender-instant-pot-pulled-pork-recipe-with-juicy-barbecue-sauce-easy-and-perfect/