Instant Pot Pulled Pork

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Hawaiian Instant Pot Pulled Pork is tender, super tasty, and oh-so-satisfying. If you’re looking for a recipe packed with amazing flavor that comes out perfect every time, this is it.

Suitable for Gluten-Free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

a plate of the completed instant pot pulled pork with a fork and cloth napkin

Instant Pot Pulled Pork is super tasty, incredibly tender, and oh-so-satisfying. When I’m at a loss for what to make for dinner, I know I can count on this to come out perfect. Every. Single. Time. 

And what makes this pressure cooker pulled pork recipe truly amaaaaazing is the Hawaiian flavors. The perfect combination of tangy and sweet, serve this Instant Pot Hawaiian Pulled Pork with a side of thus awesome coleslaw, stuff it into easy rolls, or serve it up Hawaiian plate lunch style with a scoop each of white rice and macaroni salad. #somuchyum

And, why not host your very own backyard Hawaiian lūʻau this summer? Just whip up a double batch of this delicious Hawaiian style pork, then add ukelele music, hula dancing, and let the festivities begin!

Ps if you love this you might like Dutch Oven Pulled Pork, or this Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches..

Why You’ll Love This

  • Easy to make. Simply add all the ingredients to the Instant Pot, set it, and forget it.
  • It’s so versatile. Hawaiian style pulled pork is just the thing for fuss-free dinners, weekly meal prep, and for taking on picnics or packing in lunch boxes.
  • Budget-friendly. All that’s needed is an inexpensive cut of pork and a handful of everyday pantry staples.
Instant pot quick start guide image
instant pot pulled pork packed in a glass meal prep container with coleslaw and cucumbers

So, are you ready to learn how to make Pulled Pork in Instant Pot? Gather up your ingredients and let me show you………

How To Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork 

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Combine the pineapple juice, water, tamari soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, sriracha sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger in a mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Add pork pieces into the Instant Pot insert and pour in the spiced pineapple juice mix. Then add the pineapple chunks on top.
  3. Cover your Instant Pot, set the vent to sealing, select the pressure cook (or manual) and set the timer to 55 minutes, and let the pork cook under high pressure until done. When done let the pressure release naturally.
  4. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred before placing it in a bowl, and adding some of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.
  5. Optional step: To turn the remaining liquid into a BBQ-style sauce, press the sauté button once more, and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes until it has thickened and reduced by more than half.
image collage showing the steps for making instant pot pulled pork

Top Pick : Instant Pot Accessories.

Recipe Tips

  • Marinate the meat if you have time. Use a mixing bowl or place it in a Ziploc bag for 2- 4 hours so the meat really absorbs the sauce. 
  • Use a sharp knife and trim off any fat from the pork.
  • You can sear the meat on all sides for extra flavor. You can easily brown the pork right in the Instant Pot or use a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. 
  • If you crave a little more heat, add extra sriracha sauce or toss in some chili flakes.
  • The nature pressure release took about 25 minutes.
  • Finish the pork under the broiler to caramelize for even more flavor.
a bowl or instant pot pulled pork with pineapple and sesame seeds

FAQs

Why Make Pulled Pork In The Instant Pot?

Traditional style pulled pork is made by cooking a tougher cut of meat ‘low and slow’, meaning the meat is cooked at a low temperature for a long period of time, as much as 5-6 hrs, and some purists would argue for even longer. This allows the meat to become so tender that it can be easily pulled into individual bite-size shreds.

Luckily for those of us who just don’t have the time – or the forethought – to prepare pulled pork in the traditional manner, the Instant Pot comes to the rescue.

Yeap, meals like pulled pork that typically take a good portion of the day to prepare can now be made in the Instant Pot in just a fraction of the time. And all without having to sacrifice any of that lovely, tender, pulled pork deliciousness! #instantpotforthewin 

What Is The Best Cut Of Pork for Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork?

The most common cut of meat for making pulled pork is the pork shoulder since it is a relatively inexpensive cut of meat. A full pork shoulder is comprised of the entire front leg and shoulder of a hog, with a full pork shoulder weighing between 12 and 16 lbs (5.5 and 7 kg ).

However it is unusual for most grocers to sell complete shoulders, and instead, offer smaller boneless portions in the 3-6 lbs (1.5–3 kg) range.

How To Shred Pork?

Use forks – Simply transfer the cooked meat to a plate or bowl and use two forks to pull it apart and shred.

Use a mixer – Add cooked pork into a bowl and use a hand mixer or use your stand mixer to shred it. This is especially useful if you are doing big quantities.

How Long To Cook Pulled Pork In Instant Pot?

This will depend on the size of the pork. In this case 3lbs or pork, cut into 2 pieces took 55 minutes.

instant pot pulled pork inside the instant pot

Flavor Variations

You can vary your pulled pork seasoning by swapping out the spices and seasonings to make a totally different flavor profile. Try BBQ, Creole style, Greek Seasoning, or Jamaican Jerk sauce.

Meal Prep And Prep Ahead

Folks, this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe is just the thing for meal prep and prepping ahead. 

  • Prep Ahead – This pulled pork can be cooked up to a few days in advance and reheated. 
  • Store – Store the cooked pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
  • Freeze – Follow the handy tips below for how to freeze this. Transfer pulled pork into these convenient freezer bags. Squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags. Label the bags and then lay them flat in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • To make reheating easier, freeze in the right portion sizes that you need for the future.
meal prep instant pot pulled pork in a glass lunch box

Serving Suggestions

More Instant Pot Recipes And Pork Recipes

Weight Watchers Points

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Tools Needed

Thank you for reading my Pulled Pork Instant Pot recipe post. And please visit again as I continue dreaming up recipes, traditional African recipes, African fusion recipes, Sierra Leone recipes, travel plans and much more for you. Thanks for reading Recipes from a Pantry, UK food blog.

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a plate of the completed instant pot pulled pork with a fork and cloth napkin
Print Recipe
5 from 11 votes

Hawaiian Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Hawaiian Instant Pot Pulled Pork is tender, juicy and full of flavor!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Western
Servings: 6
Calories: 391kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 cup pineapple juice
  • 1/3 cup Gluten-free tamari soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 pounds (1.35kg) boneless pork shoulder excess fat trimmed and cut into 2 pieces
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks

Instructions

  • Combine the pineapple juice, water, tamari soy sauce, honey,tomato paste, rice wine vinegar, sriracha sauce, minced garlic, minced gingerin a mixing bowl and set aside.
  • Add pork pieces into the instant pot insert and pour in the spicedpineapple juice mix. Add the pineapple chunks on top.
  • Cover your Instant Pot, set the vent to sealing, select the pressurecook (or manual) and set the timer to 55 minutes, ad let the pork cook under highpressure until done. When done let the pressure release naturally.
  • Transfer the pork to a plate and shred before placing in a bowl,and adding some of the cooking liquid to keep it moist.
  • Optional step: Press the sauté button once more, and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes or until it has thickened and reduced by more than halfand use it like a bbq sauce.
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Notes

  • Marinate the meat if you have time. Use a mixing bowl or place it in a Ziploc bag for 2- 4 hours so the meat really absorbs the sauce. 
  • Use a sharp knife and trim off any fat from the pork.
  • Sear the meat on all sides for extra flavor. You can easily brown the pork right in the Instant Pot or use a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. 
  • If you crave a little more heat, add extra sriracha sauce or toss in some chili flakes.
  • The nature pressure release took about 25 minutes.
  • Finish the pork under the broiler to caramelize for even more flavor.
There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in a serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 965mg | Potassium: 1040mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 3mg

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Recipe Rating




10 Comments

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  2. 5 stars
    This is easy to prepare, and full of flavour. My family loved it! The Hawaiian flavours were so lovely.

  3. 5 stars
    I love pulled pork and this one is my new go-to. The flavors are amazing and it’s so easy with the Instant Pot. Thanks for the inspiration.

  4. 5 stars
    This is so good and so easy, tastes just like the one we get from our neighborhood Hawaiian fast food joint. Also, get some Hawaiian rolls to go with this. 🙂

  5. 5 stars
    Great tips on how to use the Instant Pot to make pulled pork. I live in the South and I have never had pulled pork with Chinese 5 spice on my pork. It sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try your take on it. I am sure it will be yummy.