Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork
This Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork is made with pork shoulder, pork butt, or pork roast and with apple cider vinegar and homemade BBQ sauce. Add this to your cookout menu and serve with sandwiches if you wish!
Servings 5 servings
Calories 493kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 cups BBQ sauce Divided
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/3 cup brown sweetener
- 3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder or pork butt cut into 3 chunks
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth or beef broth
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of BBQ sauce, the liquid smoke, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar or sweetener in a small bowl. Stir and set aside.
- Season the pork shoulder with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the Instant Pot on the Saute function. Add the oil.
- Sear both sides of each of the chunks of pork shoulder. Remove the pork shoulder chunks and set aside.
- Add half of the chicken broth to the pot and deglaze the pot by scooping up all of the brown bits on the pot. This is loaded with flavor.
- Add the onions and garlic to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the remaining chicken broth to the pot. Next add the seared pork shoulder.
- Drizzle the BBQ Sauce and brown sugar mixture over the top of the pork shoulder.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and Seal. Cook for 45 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes instead of quick release.
- Open the pot and remove the pork. Shred with forks or knives.
- Drizzle the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce onto the pork and serve.
Slow Cooker Instructions
- Combine 1 cup of BBQ sauce, the liquid smoke, apple cider vinegar, and brown sweetener in a small bowl. Stir and set aside.
- Sear the pork on all sides in a skillet on medium-high heat with the olive oil.
- Add the pork to the slow-cooker with the remaining ingredients and BBQ sauce mixture.
- Cook on High for 4-6 hours or on Low for 10-12 hours.
- Remove the pork. Shred with forks or knives.
- Drizzle the remaining 1 cup of BBQ sauce onto the pork and serve.
Video
Notes
- I trim the fat off of the pork after it has cooked. You can trim the fat first prior to cooking if you wish.
- Searing the pork beforehand is optional and adds additional flavor to the pork. You can still cook the pork without searing it first.
- You can use any BBQ sauce you like in this recipe.
- If you like your sauce and pork to be on the sweeter side, add additional brown sugar or sweetener.
- If you prefer more of a vinegar-based sauce, add more apple cider vinegar.
- The best way to test and adjust for flavor is after the meat has been cooked. Taste repeatedly and adjust with more seasonings and ingredients as necessary.
- Liquid smoke is used in this recipe for added flavor and for the pork to taste like it's from the grill.
- Macros assume zero-calorie brown sweetener is used. Feel free to perform your own calculation taking into account what you use.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 18g