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 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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
- 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
- 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
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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.
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With the lid off, turn IP to Sauté for 5 minutes with oil and pork inside.
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Add broth and turn IP to high pressure for 60 minutes. Close lid and turn vent to “sealing”.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
* 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.
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
Sheet Pan Chicken, Potatoes, and Broccoli – 3 Ways
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.
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!
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.
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!
Hi, if you make this using a larger cut of meat between 5.5-6lbs, do u have to increase the cooking time? Thanks!
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).
re Paula’s question: how much ‘extra” time for 5-6 lbs?
Thanks in advance,
Janis
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.
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!
Thank you! It’s so tasty with hash, with rice or in a warp too 🙂
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!
Hurrah! So happy you love this pulled pork recipe!
Very good! Love the barbecue sauce that goes with it!
Thanks so much! I’m making this (again) today – it’s truly a household favourite. Glad you loved the BBQ sauce! 🙂
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.
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 🙂
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.
That’s a cute idea! I should start one for my littles too.
Should I pat down the pork butt before applying the spice rub?
If the pork shoulder is quite soggy then, yes. I don’t usually as mine aren’t that wet.
How many people can you feed with this recipe ?
Depends on the eaters really. I usually get 8-10 servings from it.
Looks like a great recipe. I have smoked paprika (instead of “sweet” smoked paprika)? If using this, should I use the same amount?
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 🙂
Hi Samantha, Can I use water instead of broth?
Absolutely! Water, broth, beer, apple cider … all would be delish!