Instant Pot Pulled Pork with Tangy BBQ Sauce

This flavorful Instant Pot BBQ pulled pork is fall-apart tender and simple to prepare in your pressure cooker. With just a few pantry staples you can have a juicy, smoky main dish ready in under an hour of active time.

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

Make Instant Pot BBQ pulled pork with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This recipe uses pork butt (or shoulder), BBQ seasoning, and a simple sauce made from BBQ sauce, beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. It’s a weeknight winner and also great for entertaining.

If you enjoy easy Instant Pot meals, try other pressure-cooker favorites like apple BBQ side ribs, shredded chicken burrito bowls, or turkey sloppy joes for more inspiration.

Ways To Serve BBQ Pulled Pork

BBQ pulled pork is remarkably versatile. Try any of these serving ideas:

• Make sliders for a party or appetizer.
• Top baked potatoes or sweet potatoes for a hearty meal.
• Create pulled pork nachos with cheese, jalapeños, and pickled onions.
• Pile it on buns with slaw and pickles for classic BBQ sandwiches.

All are easy, crowd-pleasing options that highlight the tender, saucy pork.

Can I Use A Slow Cooker Instead Of The Instant Pot?

Yes. To adapt this to a slow cooker, add the seasoned pork and sauce, then cook on low for 7 to 8 hours until the meat is tender and easily shreds.

Do I Have To Brown the Pork First?

Browning isn’t required but adds depth of flavor. Use the Instant Pot’s Sauté function, heat 1–2 tablespoons oil, and brown the pork about 3 minutes per side. Remove the meat, deglaze the pot with a splash of beef broth and scrape the bottom to prevent a burn warning, then continue with the recipe. Alternatively, brown the meat in a skillet if you prefer.

Pork Cooking Tip

Check the pork with a meat thermometer: the thickest part should reach at least 145°F and rest for at least 3 minutes per USDA guidance. For tender shredding, the pork will typically be cooked longer under pressure so it pulls apart easily.

Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Ingredients

3 pounds pork butt, cut into 4-inch chunks
2 tablespoons BBQ seasoning
2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
2/3 cup beef broth
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
Buns for serving (optional)

How To Make Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork

1. Place the pork butt in the Instant Pot bowl.

2. Season the pork with the BBQ seasoning. For deeper flavor, rub the seasoning on the meat and let it marinate in a sealed bag for 30 minutes to an hour before cooking.

3. In a bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together 1 1/3 cups of the BBQ sauce (reserve the remainder), beef broth, and apple cider vinegar. Pour the mixture over the pork.

4. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 35 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then carefully perform a quick release and remove the lid when the pressure has fully released.

5. Remove the meat and shred it with forks. Pour off about half the cooking liquid from the pot, return the shredded pork to the pot, and add the remaining BBQ sauce. Stir to coat and heat through briefly.

Serve the pulled pork on buns, topped with coleslaw and pickles if you like, or use it in any of the serving suggestions above.