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The Best Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Roast Recipe

October 26, 2021 by juliea Leave a Comment

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This instant pot pork shoulder roast recipe makes the best pulled pork when you’re in a time crunch! Make moist, tender, and tasty pork shoulder roast FAST in the instant pot! This is the fastest way to fall apart shreddable pulled pork recipe… Start to finish you can have this finished and on the table in less than 2 hours with about 1.5 hours of cook time!

pulled pork with text and pulled pork sandwich

This is one of my favorite instant pot recipes… Because It’s one of the best recipes for a tender pork roast that usually takes 8 hours in just 1.5 – 2 hours with pressure cooking! This literally takes only a fraction of the time.

It’s OK to Buy A Fatty Pork Shoulder Roast!

When you’re looking at pork shoulder roasts at the grocery store, make sure to choose one that has a nice layer of fat on it! This fat adds to the flavor and texture of the meat! You can go with bone-in or boneless pork shoulder roast.

If you have Boston butt pork roasts available, choose those as they have fewer tendons and connective 1 tablespoon salt tissues! Boston Butt roasts are cut a bit higher on the pig and are a higher quality cut.

First Rub On Dry Marinade

pork shoulder with dry rub

This is a little messy, but don’t be shy… Make sure to rub the entire roast with your dry rub marinade all generously over the entire roast! You can use your favorite premixed dry rub like I’m doing today, or in a small bowl mix together:

  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • Ground black pepper – ! Tablespoon
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin powder
  • *Optional 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne powder.

After rubbing marinade all over your roast, let it rest for 30 minutes (if you have time) for the best flavor!

Sear Pork Roast Before Cooking

This is an important step for the perfect roast… Searing the meat on all sides seals in moisture and flavor! Heat up oil in a large skillet or in the instant pot, and sear meat sear meat on high heat in a tablespoon of olive oil, or use avocado oil, till well browned on all sides.

How To Make Pork Shoulder Roast in the Instant Pot

Place marinated and seared (do not trim off fat) pork shoulder roast into the instant pot, fatty side up. Add 2 cups of chicken broth or water to the instant pot, and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. (The vinegar helps tenderize the meat as it’s cooking!) This liquid will keep the roast from burning and adds moisture to the pulled pork. Set your instant pot to high temperature and high pressure.

Set the timer according to the size. You will need a cooking time of 25 minutes per pound for fall apart shreddable pork. Place the lid on the instant pot and turn it to the locked position. Make sure the vent is not open and let it get to work cooking!

Let Instant Pot Cool & Open

When the electric pressure cooker is done let the steam vent goes down with natural pressure release instead of quick release. Then you can safely open your instant pot.

  • Remove roast from pot and set on a large clean cutting board.
  • Empty the liquids from the bottom of your instant pot into a bowl or jar.
  • Shred pork shoulder roast, and remove the bone and any large fatty material.
  • Place shredded pork back into instant pot.
  • Add your back cooking liquid (from the bottom of the pot) back into instant pot, just enough to keep the shredded pork moist.
  • Add Barbecue sauce (*Optional)

What To Serve With Pulled Pork

I love to serve pulled pork sandwiches on homemade bread buns, fresh coleslaw, with green salad, (or loaded potato salad), fresh sliced fruit or simple fruit salad, and baked beans. This is a pretty heavy meal, but nothing really stops me from making this chocolate sheet cake for dessert!

Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Recipe Card

Tips:

You can keep your pulled pork in the instant pot on warm as the perfect holding place, or serving dish because it will keep the meat at the perfect temperature.

It’s a good idea to use tongs to serve pulled pork or assemble sandwiches.

You can also make this in the slow cooker and a pork loin, but it will take all day, which is great if you get it in and go to work for the day!

What To Do WIth Pulled Pork Left Overs

If you are lucky enough to have any of the tasty pulled pork leftovers, put it into an airtight BPA-free plastic container, or freezer bags, and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Leftover pulled pork makes the best sandwiches or salad topping the next day… Enjoy!

pork shoulder roast pulled pork sandwich and text

Tools You Will Need

  • Kitchen Shears to open plastic wrapping.
  • An extra large Cutting Board
  • A Large Knife or 2 forks for pulling pork apart.
  • *Optoinal – Serving Dish
  • Tupperware or large container with lid to keep all the yummy leftovers!

IS Pork Shoulder or BOSTON BUTT Better PULLED PORK?

Boston Butt Roasts make THE BEST pulled pork when they are cooked in the instant pot.. They reach the perfect temperature of 200 degrees inside… Perfect for pulled pork!

Pork Shoulder Cuts – BOSTON BUTT VS PICNIC BUTT

I know that it makes no sense, but “Butt” roasts are pork shoulder roasts. Boston Butt roasts are 100% better cut of pork than picnic pork butt roasts for quality! The picnic butt roast comes from lower on the pig’s leg and has much more connective tissue and they are grisly!

Boston Butt roasts come from up above the leg and high shoulder area… Where you’d think the pig’s neck should be! It is just a higher-quality cut of good meat without all those grisly connective tissues.

Filed Under: From Scratch Recipes, Homemade Food From Scratch Recipes, Meats Tagged With: instant pot pork shoulder, pulled pork recipe

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Hey there, I’m Juliea, glad you’re here! I’m a mom of 6, from scratch cook, and a farm & garden lover… (read more about me)

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