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Home » Instant Pot » BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions

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BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions

January 4, 2018 by Samantha
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This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions. A tangy mouthwatering BBQ Sauce, plus a super juicy and fall apart pulled pork. 

This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce and instructions for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. #instantpot #pulledpork #slowcooker

This is one of those recipes that is a family-favourite, but is also a recipe that I get asked about all the time. I always make this BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions for company and every single person who has tried it asks after the recipe.

After playing around with the recipe for about 2 years now, I feel pretty confident that this is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions that you’ll find.

If I wasn’t an Instant Pot convert before, I MOST definitely am now after making this mouthwatering recipe.

This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce and instructions for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. #instantpot #pulledpork #slowcooker

The pork becomes unbelievably tender and juicy in the Instant Pot.

I thought that the Slow Cooker wasn’t going to be beat for this recipe, but it has been. The pork butt/shoulder cooks in 1 hour and literally falls apart and is ready to be tossed in a delicious BBQ sauce. That being said, the slow cooker is no slouch for this recipe.

I only recently got the Instant Pot and made this recipe for so many people in the slow cooker. It’s great to throw into the pot and come home at the end of the day to a house that smells amazing and to tender mouthwatering pulled pork.

This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce and instructions for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. #instantpot #pulledpork #slowcooker

Why make the BBQ Sauce? Because it makes a delicious difference. This BBQ sauce is tangy, acidic, and slightly sweet, balanced to perfection. I love the chunks of garlic in it and the flavours that meld together so well.

The sauce can be made up to a week ahead of time. If making a meal is insane right before dinner, make the sauce quickly while scarfing toast down in the morning.

Or use jarred BBQ sauce – no judgment here. We’re all doing the best we can.

This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce and instructions for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. #instantpot #pulledpork #slowcooker

My favourite ways to enjoy BBQ Pulled Pork are in a soft bun with an Apple and Cabbage Slaw**** (recipe for slaw is in recipe notes) or in a Quesadilla.

Another great idea is to top some scrambled eggs or even flatbread for a dream of a pizza with the shredded pork in it.

I also create poutine with leftovers as we all love gravy and fries – and yes, I totally use frozen fries for it.

My kids adore this BBQ Pulled Pork with the Pineapple Salsa from this Burrito Bowl in a flour tortilla and I’m not gonna lie … it’s super easy to whip up (which means we eat it frequently).

5 from 9 votes
This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with a mouthwatering BBQ sauce and instructions for Instant Pot and Slow Cooker. #instantpot #pulledpork #slowcooker
Print
BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 25 mins
 

This is the BEST BBQ Pulled Pork with Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions. A tangy mouthwatering BBQ Sauce, plus a super juicy and fall apart pulled pork. 

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 337 kcal
Author: Samantha
Ingredients
BBQ Pulled Pork:
  • 3-3.5 lbs boneless pork butt (shoulder)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp sweet smoked paprika (use hot if you like spicy pulled pork)
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tsp ground cumin dried
  • 3 tbsp yellow mustard like the stuff you park on a hot dog
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper I add this to the rub and it mostly cooks off – my kids don’t notice it or find it too spicy
  • 1 tbsp vegetable, such as canola or grapeseed* (FOR INSTANT POT USE ONLY)
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth** , 1 cup only for slow cooker
  • 1 recipe BBQ Sauce to follow below
BBQ Sauce:
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar go buy this type of vinegar, the others just won’t do
  • 2 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
BBQ Pulled Pork: INSTANT POT Method
  1. In a small bowl mix garlic, paprika, salt, brown sugar, cumin, mustard, and cayenne pepper together. Cut pork into 2″ square pieces and toss in rub. Use immediately or let marinade overnight in an air tight container/bag.  

  2. With the lid off, turn IP to Sauté for 5 minutes with oil and pork inside. 

  3. Add broth and turn IP to high pressure for 60 minutes. Close lid and turn vent to “sealing”. 

  4. Carefully release vent and remover lid. Remove pork from IP using a slotted spoon and place on a plate or cutting pork***. Pull pork with 2 forks and toss with BBQ Sauce. 

BBQ Pulled Pork: SLOW COOKER Method
  1. In a small bowl mix garlic, paprika, salt, brown sugar, cumin, mustard, and cayenne pepper together. Rub whole pork with spice mixture. Use immediately or let marinade overnight in an air tight container/bag.  

  2. Place pork (with spice mixture rubbed on) in slow cooker with 1 cup of broth. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 3-4 hours. 

  3. Remove pork from slow cooker using a slotted spoon and place on a plate or cutting pork***. Pull pork with 2 forks and toss with BBQ Sauce. 

BBQ Sauce:
  1. Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes. This allows the garlic to cook and the flavours to meld. Remove from heat and set aside. 

Recipe Notes

 

* use an oil with a higher heat tolerance such as canola, avocado, or grapeseed

**  I sometimes switch out part of the broth for a can of beer for some extra flavour flav. I also occasionally add 1 tbsp of gochujang which is a sublime Korean chilli paste for some extra tang.

****  I don’t use the juices and broth left in the IP/slow cooker. I find it quite fatty and the pulled pork is usually so juicy with the BBQ that it doesn’t need the juices left in pot. If you like your pulled pork extra extra moist, add a bit of the juice left in pot. 

*** Apple and Cabbage Slaw:

 2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 sm tart apple, such as Granny Smith, cut into matchsticks
1 cup thinly sliced cabbage
1 sm carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 green onion, thinly sliced. 

Toss all ingredients together. Serve immediately. 

Nutrition Facts
BEST BBQ Pulled Pork – Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Instructions
Amount Per Serving
Calories 337 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 102mg34%
Sodium 1761mg77%
Potassium 728mg21%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 33g66%
Vitamin A 1083IU22%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 59mg6%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The Pulled Pork and BBQ Sauce recipes are adapted from Date Night In (which is a cookbook I LOVE if you’re looking for a lovely wedding gift).

Enjoy! xo

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Category: Dinner, Instant Pot, Slow Cooker

About Samantha

Mom of twins, a singleton, and wife to a hungry husband. The food demands that surround me, have pushed me to lead our food life more simply, nutritiously, and deliciously. It’s a good day when family, friends, and food intersect.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chelle

    December 30, 2018 at 2:30 am

    5 stars
    I tried this and it’s the best pulled.pork recipe. J used post leg as i wouldn’t get shoulder and cooked in the slow cooker it was fine too.

    Reply
    • Kristen

      August 17, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was awesome! I had pork hocks that I needed to use so I used those instead of a pork shoulder. I also omitted the cumin and used store bought bbq sauce. But even my picky eater loved this!

      Reply
  2. Chris

    February 3, 2019 at 9:31 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for the Super Boole tonight- yay Pats! 5 different guys said, at 5 different times,”this is the best pulled pork I’ve ever had .” I loved it too- best pulled pork I’ve ever made, and I’ve made MANY versions.

    Reply
    • Samantha

      February 4, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      Hurrah! I made it on the weekend as well to much success. I love how many people it appeals to. Thanks for the review – it’s appreciated!

      Reply
  3. Paula

    August 5, 2019 at 2:45 am

    Hi, if you make this using a larger cut of meat between 5.5-6lbs, do u have to increase the cooking time? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      August 5, 2019 at 8:46 pm

      For the Instant Pot, yes. For the slow cooker, no. I would recommend cutting the meat in half or even quarters for the slow cooker however and increase the amount of BBQ sauce (double to make it easy).

      Reply
    • Janis B Orinson

      December 7, 2019 at 10:51 am

      re Paula’s question: how much ‘extra” time for 5-6 lbs?
      Thanks in advance,
      Janis

      Reply
      • Samantha

        December 10, 2019 at 7:22 am

        Hi Janis, please ensure the meat is cut up before cooking in the IP if you’re using it. The slow cooker is the same time and the IP will need approximately 20 minutes more … I haven’t made one that large myself so please check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer – pork needs to be cooked to 145° F.

        Reply
  4. Jess

    August 18, 2019 at 1:28 pm

    5 stars
    What a delicious pork dish! It looks awesome on a sandwich but I bet it tastes fab on its own with yummy fixings! Great idea!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      August 19, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Thank you! It’s so tasty with hash, with rice or in a warp too 🙂

      Reply
  5. Noelle

    October 6, 2019 at 7:26 pm

    5 stars
    Ive made a ton of different pulled pork recipes in the instant pot and this one is by far the best! Finally found the go-to!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      October 6, 2019 at 10:38 pm

      Hurrah! So happy you love this pulled pork recipe!

      Reply
  6. Tara

    October 14, 2019 at 5:56 pm

    5 stars
    Very good! Love the barbecue sauce that goes with it!

    Reply
    • Samantha

      October 15, 2019 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks so much! I’m making this (again) today – it’s truly a household favourite. Glad you loved the BBQ sauce! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Alicia Graham

    July 5, 2020 at 9:02 am

    5 stars
    This is one of the most delicious things I have made. Definitely a top 10. I made it at our annual 4th of July party. Everyone loved it and we are going to add this recipe to our cook book.

    Reply
    • Samantha

      July 5, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      Hi Alicia, I’m so glad you enjoyed the BBQ Pulled Pork – it’s a family favourite over here too. Hopefully you aren’t putting my recipe in an actual cookbook … happy for you to forward the link along to others and share it that way however 🙂

      Reply
      • Alicia

        July 25, 2020 at 8:06 am

        5 stars
        No just a person a cook book. So that I don’t loose the recipe and that one day if my kids want to make it they will have it.

        Reply
        • Samantha

          July 25, 2020 at 7:42 pm

          That’s a cute idea! I should start one for my littles too.

          Reply
  8. Ben

    February 26, 2022 at 2:45 pm

    Should I pat down the pork butt before applying the spice rub?

    Reply
    • Samantha

      February 28, 2022 at 2:37 pm

      If the pork shoulder is quite soggy then, yes. I don’t usually as mine aren’t that wet.

      Reply
  9. Rebecca

    February 28, 2022 at 8:12 am

    How many people can you feed with this recipe ?

    Reply
    • Samantha

      February 28, 2022 at 2:36 pm

      Depends on the eaters really. I usually get 8-10 servings from it.

      Reply
  10. Cheryl

    September 12, 2022 at 10:35 am

    Looks like a great recipe. I have smoked paprika (instead of “sweet” smoked paprika)? If using this, should I use the same amount?

    Reply
    • Samantha

      September 13, 2022 at 12:45 pm

      Hi! Regular smoked paprika tends to be on the spicier side so if you’re feeding people who are used to spice then, the same amount will work. If spice level is a concern you could also omit the cayenne pepper.

      I tend to use “sweet smoked paprika” whenever I’m cooking for kids as they enjoy the smoky flavour but not the spice 🙂

      Reply
  11. Iynee

    December 12, 2022 at 10:11 pm

    Hi Samantha, Can I use water instead of broth?

    Reply
    • Samantha

      December 13, 2022 at 8:55 pm

      Absolutely! Water, broth, beer, apple cider … all would be delish!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Samantha!

Thanks for coming by! I'm a mom with 3 young daughters, a wife, and a foodie trying to keep my head above water with simple, delicious, and nutritious food. Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I'd love to hear from you! Read More…

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