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Tender Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe Easy 5-Step Comfort Meal

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A quick and easy pulled pork recipe using the Instant Pot that delivers tender, fall-apart pork in under an hour with simple pantry staples and a tangy homemade BBQ glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed of excess fat but not too lean
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, sliced thin
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt (preferably kosher salt)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne (optional)
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce (choose your favorite or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (for the BBQ glaze)

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels. Mix salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and brown sugar in a small bowl. Rub the spice mix all over the pork, pressing it in well. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes if possible.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and add olive oil. Once hot, sear the pork shoulder on each side for about 4 minutes until golden-brown crust forms. Remove pork and set aside.
  3. Add sliced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Scrape any browned bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and apple cider vinegar, stirring to combine with onions. Return pork shoulder to the pot, nestling it into the liquid. Close lid, seal valve, and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 60 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  5. Remove pork and shred with two forks. In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Toss shredded pork with the glaze to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not skip the natural pressure release to keep pork juicy and tender. If too much liquid remains after cooking, use ‘Sauté’ mode to reduce before shredding. Leaving some fat on the pork shoulder adds flavor and moisture. Searing is recommended for better flavor but can be skipped to save time. Use gluten-free BBQ sauce and chicken broth for a gluten-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: pulled pork, instant pot, pressure cooker, easy dinner, comfort food, BBQ, quick meal, pork shoulder

Find it online: https://yumbelle.com/tender-instant-pot-pulled-pork-recipe-easy-5-step-comfort-meal/