Instant Pot Pulled Pork Butt Recipe

Pulled pork covered in bbq sauce in the Instant Pot.

5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Butt Recipe

Tender, smokey, and smothered in sweet-smelling BBQ sauce, this Instant Pot Pulled Pork recipe comes together amazingly fast with little prep work. Make pulled pork sliders or sandwiches or use it however you like.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1 20

Natural Release Time20

Total Time1 55

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: Servings

Calories: 417kcal

Author: Aimee Mars

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

4 lb Pork Butt or pork shoulder
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon Onion Powder
2 teaspoons Paprika
2 teaspoons Salt
1 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1¼ cup Beef Broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 cup BBQ Sauce

Instructions

Cut the pork butt into four large pieces, trimming any access fat as needed.
In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Add the pork chunks to the mixture at toss them to coat evenly.
Set the Instant Pot to “sauté” and add olive oil. Let pork chunks sear in Instant Pot on each side for about two minutes. Cook in a single layer, in batches if necessary. Set aside.
Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce to deglaze the pot, using a wooden spoon to scrape any stuck bits off the bottom.
Return the pork butt to the Instant Pot and cover. Set the vent to sealing and use the cooking option “manual” for 80 minutes.
After 80 minutes, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Then, remove the lid carefully.
Carefully remove the pork using tongs and place it into a large mixing bowl to shred with forks or meat claws.
Mix in your desired amount of BBQ sauce and serve your Instant Pot pork butt!

Notes

Freezing Instructions - to freeze any leftover pulled pork allow it to cool completely before placing it into an air-tight freezer-safe container. It will last for 3 to 4 months stored in the freezer.
Serving Suggestions - I love to just spoon some of this pulled pork butt over slices of bread but you can also use it to make sandwiches or just add some sides such as mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, baked beans, or potato salad.
To crisp, the outside of the pork roast add one more step. Just as with my Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe I add an extra step if I want extra crispy pork. Spread the pulled pork onto a rimmed baking sheet and slide it into an oven preheated to 475º F for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Make your own bbq sauce. I can stress how flavorful homemade bbq sauce but I recommend making your own. One that works well with pork butt is Carolina BBQ Sauce.

Nutrition