North Carolina Pulled Pork – Instant Pot
Not a traditional pulled pork recipe, but much quicker and still really tasty.
North Carolina Pulled Pork – Instant Pot
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar packed
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 4 pound boneless pork butt roast or shoulder roast quartered with excess fat trimmed
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Hamburger buns or slider buns
Instructions
Rub the pork
- Using a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper .
- Trim and quarter the pork roast.
- Rub the pork with the sugar mixture.
Pressure cook using the instant pot
- Using the instant pot bowl, mix the water, ketchup, vinegar, and liquid smoke.
- Place the pork in the instant pot bowl, squeeze it into the bottom if necessary.
- Lock the lid in place and be sure the pressure release valve is closed. If you have a keep warm function, turn it on.
- Use the high pressure cook function. Cook for 45 minutes.
- After the pressure cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Transfer the pork to a large bowl, leaving the liquid in the instant pot.
Reduce the braising liquid.
- Place the instant pot in its highest sauté mode.
- Saute for about 20 minutes , until the liquid is reduced to around 2 cups.
- While the liquid is reducing, use a couple of forks to shred the pork.
Mix and serve
- Stir about half or the reduced braising liquid into the shredded pork. Save the rest to use as needed.
- Serve on burger or slider buns
Notes
Freezing
Pulled pork freezes well, just spoon it into zip lock bags with some of the sauce. Try to use the leftovers within two or three weeks, thaw in the refrigerator and re-heat in a microwave.
Shredding
Forks work well for shredding, but we received these shredder claws as a gift and we love them. They are certainly not a necessity, but fun to have around.