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    Home » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Bone-In Pulled Pork Shoulder

    Published: Aug 22, 2022 · Modified: Sep 7, 2022 by Kaylie This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe

    My pulled pork recipe is so tasty and delicious – it’s made with bone-in pork shoulder, and is ready in just over an hour via the Instant Pot. It’s perfect for feeding large groups at a BBQ or potluck with crowd-pleasing pulled pork sandwiches, and the best part – it’s SO easy to make but tastes like you’ve been roasting all day!

    Pulled pork sandwich toped with coleslaw.

    I’ve mentioned this before, but I love using my Instant Pot for braising tough cuts of meat into tender, crave-worthy meals like my easy Instant Pot ribs or Instant Pot shredded beef tacos. Pork shoulder is an inexpensive cut of meat and can be chewy, but when seasoned well and cooked properly, it transforms into a luscious, savory and satisfying entreé. Bone-in pork shoulder can be found in most big-chain grocery stores, and is less expensive than boneless pork shoulder. You're going to LOVE how tasty this recipe is, and how easy and stress-free it is to make.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Notes
    • Instructions
    • Pro Tips
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More Instant Pot Recipes You'll Love
    • Instant Pot Bone-In Pulled Pork Shoulder

    Ingredients & Notes

    Ingredients for pressure cooker pulled pork.

    Pork - I’m using a bone-in pork shoulder. The extra bone infuses a bit of extra flavor into the broth. 

    Chicken broth - I like using chicken broth instead of water. It brings more flavor to the meat.

    Seasoning - This includes brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and ground pepper. It’s mildly spicy, feel free to add additional cayenne to your taste. 

    BBQ sauce - Use the sauce of your choice. One of my favorite brands is Kinder's BBQ Sauce.

    Instructions

    steps on how to make pulled pork with Instant Pot.

    1). Cut the roast into 5-6 pieces. This will help the meat to cook quicker in the Instant Pot. Mix the dry ingredients and rub it evenly on all sides of the pork.

    2). Sear each side of pork in batches, set seared pork aside. This helps develop flavor.

    3). Deglaze pot with broth and scrape up browned bits. Add the pork back in, pressure cook on high for 60 minutes.

    4). Remove pork and shred, then mix in ¼ cup of the broth and your favorite BBQ sauce!

    pulled pork with BBQ sauce.

    Serve over a nicely toasted brioche bun (my favorite!) topped with coleslaw and pickles. This sandwich is so drool-worthy! Take a big bite and enjoy!

    Pro Tips

    • Keep the bone in while cooking, you won’t need to add any additional cooking time as the roast is cut into smaller pieces. 
    • Reserve some of the cooked broth to pour on the pulled pork, this adds all the delicious flavors and some additional fat.

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you toast buns for pulled pork sandwiches?

    Yes! Toasting the bun is an extra step to up your sandwich game and helps to hold up all the extra goodness better without it getting soggy too quickly. 

    Do you leave fat on pork for pulled pork?

    Once cooked, you can shred the meat and toss out the fat parts.

    Do you need to brown the meat before pressure cooking?


    It is recommended as it helps add flavor – think a steamed ribeye vs. a seared ribeye. You want that caramelized and charred flavor.  

    What side dishes go with pulled pork?


    Some good side options include biscuits, cornbread, coleslaw, pickles, and fries.

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    Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.

    Instant Pot Bone-In Pulled Pork Shoulder

    Kaylie
    This pulled pork recipe is so tasty and delicious. It’s made with bone-in pork shoulder and is ready in just over an hour in the Instant Pot. It’s perfect for feeding large groups at a BBQ or potluck with crowd-pleasing pulled pork sandwiches.
    5 from 48 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Natural release and pressurizing time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 45 minutes mins
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 233 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot 6 or 8 quart

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pounds pork shoulder, bone in
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 3 tablespoon brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • oil for searing the pork
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce, more to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cut roast into 5-6 pieces, about 3 to 4 inch thickness.
    • Mix dry ingredients and rub all over the pork pieces.
    • Press saute function on the instant pot then add the oil. When it reads "hot", add the meat and sear, about 2-3 minutes on each side. Cook in batches as needed.
    • Remove the meat and set aside.
    • Add the broth, with a wooden spoon, scrape any residual brown bits into the broth.
    • Add pork back in, close the lid, seal the valve on cook on manual high pressure pressure for 60 minutes.
    • When done, let the pressure naturally release.
    • Strain liquid, reserve ¼ cup to mix in with pulled pork.
    • Shred the pork, add the reserved broth and mix in your fav BBQ sauce, add more to your taste.
    • Serve over a nicely toasted brioche bun topped with coleslaw and pickles!

    Notes

    *Nutritional facts provided is only an estimate. Accuracy for nutritional information on recipes on this site is not guaranteed.
    • Keep the bone in while cooking, you won’t need to add any additional cooking time as the roast is cut into smaller pieces. 
    • Reserve some of the cooked broth to pour on the pulled pork, this adds all the delicious flavors and some additional fat.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 10peopleCalories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 22gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 1165mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 438IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tag @apeachyplate or hashtag #apeachyplate!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tiffany

      December 31, 2023 at 4:31 am

      5 stars
      Used my instant pot for the first time making bbq pulled pork since I hadn’t had time to smoke my pork butt. This recipe was sooooooo good! We reserved some meat without sauce for some taco’s also. Definitely making again.

      Reply
    2. Eva

      January 29, 2024 at 10:55 pm

      5 stars
      At first I chose this recipe because no other recipe included info on “bone in” as I have never made pulled pork. Husband just tested it and he agrees it’s perfect. Delicious seasoning and so tender.
      Thank you for sharing this recipe

      Reply
    3. Carmen Smith

      February 19, 2024 at 8:32 pm

      Delicious!! Tripled the recipe because I had a 7.3 lb bone in roast. AMAZINGLY TENDER! best recipe I've used so far.

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        February 25, 2024 at 11:25 pm

        So great to hear!

        Reply
      • Cat Card

        April 13, 2024 at 4:59 pm

        You just tripled everything no issue?

        Reply
        • Kaylie

          May 28, 2024 at 5:47 am

          I have not tripled this recipe. You can try to double it, but also depends on the size of your instant pot and if it will fit the liquid and meat.

          Reply
      • Morgen

        July 10, 2024 at 2:54 pm

        Did you have to change the amount of time for the 7 pound roast?

        Reply
        • Kaylie

          September 08, 2024 at 3:58 am

          I haven't tested that much meat, but I'd add more liquid (another 3/4 cup) so the meat doesn't burn, and increase the cooking time by 10 minutes. Make sure to still cut the meat up into 3-4" thick pieces, and ensure your pressure cooker can fit everything with ample space at the top. Let me know how it turned out!

          Reply
          • RF

            September 30, 2024 at 1:49 am

            Hi! I’m curious to know: how do you cut it up into that many pieces with the bone in..? Do you just navigate around the bone? If you don’t cut it will it just need more time? Thanks!

            Reply
            • Kaylie

              October 02, 2024 at 5:02 am

              Hi, yes cut it around the bone. Smaller pieces will be easier to sear and infuses more flavor. If you don't cut it, I would keep the same cooking time.

    4. Marilyn

      May 07, 2024 at 4:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was so delicious! The meat was very tender, not tough like the last recipe I used. It tasted good even before adding the BBQ sauce. Thank you for sharing your recipe!

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        May 28, 2024 at 5:45 am

        Yes, I made this for my family gathering and it was a HIT! Not dry at all!

        Reply
    5. Seasons01

      July 14, 2024 at 10:59 pm

      I have an 8.44lb Pork Butt Roast bone-in. going right now in my pressure cooker (Ninja Foodi). I didn't know you had to cut it up I put it on high for 115 minutes. I'm assuming this will get it done. Just wanted to thank you. You are the only one that talks about the bone. But I read it too late to cut up my meat. Another site said 1 hour and 30 minutes for no bone 4-5 lbs.

      If you could answer even though I will be done with this by the time you do. I would like everyone to know... what happens if it's underdone? Do I cut it up into pieces at that point and then put it back in the pressure cooker and add more time? Or is it better to not cut it up so I don't lose any juices inside of it?

      The other option would be to put it on slow-cooker mode at that point and continue a few more hours that way. I'm worried about it drying out.

      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        September 08, 2024 at 3:54 am

        I'm sorry for the late reply! I'm curious to know how it turned out for you? An 8lb pork butt roast is pretty big, I'm not sure how thick that is, but I think the main thing I'd be worried about is the consistency of the meat. The parts on the outside will be overly cooked, and the parts on the inside will be less cooked, and potentially undercooked. You'd need to cut off the fully cooked parts, and set aside, then pressure cook the undercooked inside parts for another 20 minutes or so to ensure it's done. Hope it turned out for you!

        Reply
    6. April

      October 23, 2024 at 11:54 pm

      5 stars
      wondering do you think the mustard is. necessary?

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        October 25, 2024 at 4:34 am

        No, it's not absolutely necessary.

        Reply
    7. Emily

      April 23, 2025 at 5:01 am

      5 stars
      Just tried this tonight. I didn’t add the brown sugar, or the mustard because I didn’t have mustard, and I didn’t want my pork sweet at all. I also had an 8.5lb roast so I did two batches and froze the first one.

      The only other change was I vented the pressure after it sat 10 minutes once it had cooked.

      This was delicious!! So glad I gave it a try. Will be making again for sure!

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        April 24, 2025 at 6:18 am

        Wow this sounds like an amazing meal! Thanks for the tip!

        Reply
    8. Steve

      June 01, 2025 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      I made this for sandwiches at a Graduation Party, which included efficient time-management lol. This saved me! My Dad loved this, choosing this over a pulled-beef sandwich... he was born in the midwest, so that's understandable. Lots of compliments. Bravo!

      Reply
      • Kaylie

        June 01, 2025 at 8:55 pm

        Love to hear this! Thanks for dropping by!

        Reply
    5 from 48 votes (42 ratings without comment)

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    Hello, I’m Kaylie -a licensed registered nurse and mommy to two hungry little boys who oversee my taste-test kitchen. Here you’ll find tasty recipes made with real ingredients that I cook for my family – from healthy and nourishing, to savory and comforting. I hope you enjoy, from my family to yours!

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    Pulled pork with BBQ Sauce. Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.
    Pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw.

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