Skip to Content

Frozen Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe

Tender frozen pork shoulder Instant Pot recipe is here! How to cook frozen meat in a pressure cooker so it’s perfect every single time.

instant pot frozen pork

I’ve been cooking a lot of frozen meat in Instant Pot lately. Why? Because I’m forgetful. This frozen pork shoulder Instant Pot came out perfect so I thought I’d share that with you too. Just one more easy Instant Pot recipe to add to the list. (affiliate links present)

I mean I cannot be the only one who realizes at 4 pm that you haven’t taken anything out to defrost for dinner. It’s happened more than I’d like to admit but after making this Instant Pot frozen roast I knew it wouldn’t be a worry again.

And kept going with other pieces so I could share how to cook frozen meat of all kinds with you.

FIRST – You should sign up for my free newsletter so you get new posts emailed to you twice a week and never miss out on anything! Now let’s start with a few basic tips:

For reference, this is the pressure cooker I have (a 6 quart) and use for all recipe creations.

star wars instant pot

If you’re like us and buy meat in bulk each year you probably have a full freezer too. Ground beef doesn’t take long at all but larger pieces of protein take a few days in the fridge to thaw.

I do try to plan meals every Sunday on a white board on my fridge. That does really help when it comes to planning, and what to buy at the store.

BUT with homeschooling teens, working full time, renovating our home and an investment property I do get forgetful. I mean, can you blame me? NO longer is this an issue. I kid you not, nobody even realizes it when it’s done.

how to cook frozen pork shoulder

Instant Pot Frozen Pork Shoulder

Finding sales at the store are key when it comes to saving money AND time too. When they’re offering this cut at half off grab a bunch! Store in freezer bags so they last longer and load up at home.

How long does it take to cook a frozen pork shoulder?

That depends on what cooking method you’re using. In a pressure cooker it only takes under 2 hours to become pulled pork. In the oven it takes over twice as long and is a bit drier.

Can you put frozen pork in an Instant Pot?

Yes! We will show you how to cook a pork shoulder right here. From rock hard frozen solid to tender, you’ll love it too. You can cook Instant Pot frozen pork loin or pork tenderloin great too!instant pot frozen pork tenderloin

Can you cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot?

Of course, it’s a quick and easy method too! We have made Instant Pot frozen pork chops, and Instant Pot frozen chicken comes out super tender too.

You’ll need some sort of sauce to do this. Yes you could just use water to “steam” your meat but I am all about FLAVOR!!

I highly suggest using the mixture you see here. As for the seasonings use what you love.

pressure cooker frozen pork shoulder

Frozen Pork Shoulder Roast Instant Pot

This is what you’re going to need to get out in order to get started:

  1. Pork shoulder that is NOT defrosted is used for this recipe.
    1. If yours is not frozen then follow our Instant Pot pork shoulder recipe instead.
  2. Olive oil is the best to use. I keep a container on my counter because it’s great for sauteeing all the things and for sauces.
  3. Garlic is always in my fridge. I buy a large jar of minced to save me a ton of time, I rarely buy cloves that I have to dice myself.
  4. Brown sugar will give this a sweet flavor you’ll love.

Balsamic vinegar gives our sauce a bold flavor. We use it in our beef arm roast recipe too. There are a ton of different types but this is my favorite, made by a local Idaho company. This one is a close second if you’re buying online.

balsamic vinegar
  • Soy sauce goes on a lot of things in our house. Maybe it’s because I was born in HI but it’s my favorite thing to include in sauces and on rice.
  • Rosemary either fresh or jarred works. I rarely get fresh because we live in a very small town and produce is kinda’ lacking.
  • Broth is a much better cooking liquid than cups of water for sure. Beef is best because of this cut but vegetable would work too.
  • Cornstarch will thicken the gravy left in your pot at the end. Of course you can leave this out, or use flour instead but I like thick sauces!

This is a peek of it in the pot once it has cooked and steam has been released naturally. That step is important to keep it super moist.

ninja foodi frozen pork

Let’s read a quick step by step on how this was done. There is a printable recipe card at the bottom of this post too though:

Time needed: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Frozen Pork Shoulder Instant Pot

  1. Prepare

    In a small bowl whisk together your minced garlic, brown sugar, balsamic, soy sauce, cornstarch and rosemary. If you wanted some heat you could add chili powder too.

    Rub your olive oil over the frozen cut of meat. Pour broth into pot. Place frozen roast in pressure cooker, pour balsamic vinegar mixture on top of meat.

  2. Cook

    Close lid and seal steam valve on your Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Press meat/stew button and adjust cook time to read 1 hour 45 minutes total (or 22 minutes per pound you are using).

    When done allow to naturally release steam. Lift lid and slice or shred and then put meat back into pot with sauce to coat.

  3. Thicken

    If you want a thicker sauce remove the pork and cover to keep warm. Set pot to saute and add 1/2 c of your hot liquid into a bowl + 2 tbsp of cornstarch.

    Whisk until smooth and add back into your pot. Stir and allow to bubble and thicken. Then turn pot off and put pressure cooked shredded pork back into the thick sauce, serve.

What does the meat setting on Instant Pot do?

It just defaults to high pressure for 35 minutes. You can then adjust the cook time for longer or less if you wish with the – or + buttons.

instant pot frozen pork shoulder

Ninja Foodi Frozen Pork Shoulder

What if you’re making this as an easy Ninja Foodi recipe? NO problem, you can do it the same way. If yours doesn’t have a meat button then just push pressure, set to high, for 1 hour and 45 minutes. OR 22 min. per lb.

You can follow our frozen pork roast Instant Pot directions too if you have that cut.

What is the natural release method for a pressure cooker?

That means when the cook time completes you don’t touch the steam valve at all. It will come out very slowly and take from 15 minutes to about 40 minutes depending on the contents inside.

For this Ninja Foodi pulled pork recipe it doesn’t take quite as long. This one is on the longer side.

Want to try another one using a defrosted loin? Our Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork is out of control delicious too.

instant pot hawaiian pulled pork

If you want to try one using your Crockpot, we have a slow cooker pork carnitas dish as well. Wow is this incredible and can be put together in the morning. Come home and make into tacos or just put over brown rice.

A few other Instant Pot pork recipes are:

Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!

Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page?

Then sign up for my free newsletter, and follow me on Pinterest! 😉

***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉

the typical mom
instant pot frozen pork shoulder
Print Pin
5 from 12 votes

Frozen Pork Shoulder Instant Pot

Tender frozen pork shoulder Instant Pot recipe is here! How to cook frozen meat in a pressure cooker so it's perfect every single time.
Course Entree, Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword frozen, instant pot, ninja foodi, pork shoulder, pressure cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 546kcal
Author The Typical Mom

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a small bowl whisk together garlic, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, cornstarch and rosemary.
  • Rub olive oil over frozen pork shoulder. Pour broth into pot.
  • Place frozen roast in pressure cooker, pour balsamic vinegar mixture on top of meat.
  • Close lid and seal steam valve. Press meat/stew button and cook for 1 hour 45 minutes or 22 minutes per pound you are using.
  • When done allow to naturally release steam.
  • Lift lid and slice or shred and then put meat back into pot with sauce to coat. If you want a thicker sauce leave meat out. Set pot to saute and add 1/2 c of your hot liquid into a bowl with 2 tbsp cornstarch.
  • Whisk until smooth and add into pot. Stir and allow to bubble and thicken, then turn pot off and put shredded meat into thick sauce, serve.

Video

Nutrition Facts
Frozen Pork Shoulder Instant Pot
Amount Per Serving (2 oz)
Calories 546 Calories from Fat 351
% Daily Value*
Fat 39g60%
Saturated Fat 13g81%
Cholesterol 156mg52%
Sodium 358mg16%
Potassium 636mg18%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 43g86%
Vitamin A 19IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 59mg6%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Vallerie

Monday 14th of August 2023

Just made this for my family and it was delicious!!

The Typical Mom

Monday 14th of August 2023

Oh yay!!

Sarah

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

I don't know what happened. I had a 2 lb frozen pork shoulder, so I pressure cooked it on high for 44 minutes and it was completely raw :/

judy

Sunday 10th of September 2023

@Sarah, it is 1 hour and 45 minutes cooking time not 44 minutes

The Typical Mom

Friday 16th of June 2023

That isn't possible. Check your sealing ring, sounds like it never sealed, came to pressure, and was able to cook at all. Just sat there.

Dawn

Thursday 16th of March 2023

I’ve made this many times, and it’s delicious. It also holds up nicely in the freezer for quick weeknight meals. Thanks for the recipe.

The Typical Mom

Thursday 16th of March 2023

So glad

Regina

Monday 2nd of January 2023

Fantastic!! I will be using this again and again!! Such a taste treat. Tender and juicy and full of good flavor. HIT!! Definitely 5 stars,

The Typical Mom

Thursday 5th of January 2023

Oh good!

Maygin

Thursday 29th of September 2022

Would your Hawaiian sauce work with this??? Hoping to make it tonight.

The Typical Mom

Friday 30th of September 2022

Haven't done that so unsure

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.