Name: Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: ¼ cup vegetable oil; 3 to 4 pound pork butt (or pork shoulder roast); 4 teaspoons kosher salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 2 Sazon Goya (packages); 1 cup water; 2 oranges

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This tender Instant Pot Pulled Pork uses a pork shoulder and a Sazon Goya flavoring packet. It’s so juicy and easy to make. Serve it on buns, in tacos, or in bowls for a crowd-pleasing meal.

If you love easy pulled pork recipes as much as we do, try our Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork or our Crock Pot Pulled Pork.

Shredded pulled pork on a white hoagie bun resting on a navy plate.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork is one of those recipes that earns a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. It delivers tender, juicy pork in a fraction of the time it takes in the oven or smoker, without sacrificing flavor.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd, planning easy weeknight dinners, or stocking the fridge for flexible leftovers, this pressure cooker method gives you pulled pork that works just as well on buns as it does dressed up in tacos or bowls.

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Leftover pulled pork? These recipes are three of our favorites Pulled Pork Enchiladas , Pulled Pork Nachos or Best Pulled Pork Burger.

Ingredients

Pork butt – or pork shoulder
Vegetable oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Garlic powder
Sazon Goya – seasoning packets
Oranges
Water

Recipe Tips

Not fork-tender after the first cycle? Adding more pressure time will get it there without drying it out.
Cutting the pork speeds things up. Dividing the roast into large chunks increases surface area, helping it cook faster and more evenly.
Browning builds flavor- Searing the pork first adds depth you can’t get from pressure cooking alone.

How to make pulled pork in instant pot

Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to Saute/Sear and add the vegetable oil.

Step 2: While the oil heats, season the pork evenly with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Salt and pepper seasoning sprinkled on pork butt inside pressure cooker.

Step 3: Stir the Sazon Goya packets into 1 cup of water. Pour the dissolved Sazon mixture over the roast.

Step 4: Squeeze the juice from the oranges over the pork, then add the squeezed oranges to the pot.

Sazon goya seasoning packet being poured into glass measuring cup of water.

Step 5: Secure the Instant Pot lid, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on Meat/Stew (High Pressure) for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Step 6: Allow a 10-minute natural release, then carefully release remaining pressure.

Cooked pork butt resting inside pressure cooker.

Step 7: If the pork is not fork-tender, pressure cook for an additional 15 minutes, followed by another 10-minute natural release.

Step 8: Discard the oranges. Shred the pork and serve on buns, in tacos, or in bowls. Enjoy.

How long to cook pulled pork in instant pot?

Cook on the Meat/Stew (High Pressure) Setting for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remember to allow for a 10-minute natural release of pressure before releasing the remaining pressure from the Instant Pot. If the pork isn’t fork-tender, pressure cook for an additional 15 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release.

What is the best cut of pork to use in the instant pot?

Pork butt and pork shoulder are both rich in connective tissue, which the Instant Pot softens quickly for tender, shred-ready meat.

Other Pulled Pork Recipes

After cooking pulled pork, it’s always fun to prepare the leftovers in different ways. This Pulled Pork Chili is a quick and easy way to enjoy your leftover pulled pork. There are also these Pulled Pork Enchiladas that are so very easy to make, but put a fun twist on leftovers. Or try this Pulled Pork Casserole for another 9X13 dish that the entire family will love.