Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Instant Pot pulled pork recipe with teriyaki sauce is amazing! With fresh, thawed or frozen pork roast in Instant Pot, in one hour you’re done! Topped on rolls this makes the best sliders ever!

If you only have a Mealthy or Crockpot Express that machine will work. As long as it is electric and has the high pressure function it will work just the same as an IP. I also have a lot of Ninja Foodi recipes, that pot that works great as a multifunction machine too.

Teriyaki Pulled Pork Recipe

This is how to make teriyaki sauce homemade, you can use Veri Veri bottled, or you could use bbq. I like easy pressure cooker recipes and I also like being able to adjust the spice level. I do like a little spicy but not so overwhelming I can’t taste the other flavors so this one is great for everyone.

When cooking pulled pork you really want to add lots of flavor, otherwise it will be rather bland. This version has a rich sweet sauce that is a bit like teriyaki but with the addition of honey and Sriracha. So, it has a nice balance between spicy and sweet that we fell in love with.

Cooking Tips

We bought a pig from a local organic farm recently and started with this pork roast that is about 2.5 lbs with the bone so let’s call it 2 lbs. To make it ultra tender I cut it into 3 equal parts around the bone before turning it on so the meat would become as tender as possible.

If you are using a pork roast that is larger than mine you will need to increase the time a bit. I would also cut it into maybe 4 pieces so it will get as tender as possible.

In order to ensure you don’t get the burn notification after searing your roast, scrape the bottom with a wooden spatula to release the stuck on bits. Then continue on to the next steps. If you have another brand like a Crockpot Express or Ninja Foodi these directions will work for you as well. 😉

I like onions for their flavor. You can dice them like this or leave them sliced and in larger chunks. Totally up to you and will achieve the same thing so go for whatever you choose.

Ingredient Notes

We used a Pork roast piece that was about 2.5 pounds. that is a good size for all 5 of us to eat and sometimes I will have a bit for lunch the next day. It saves quite nicely so you can enjoy it again, I will talk a bit about this below more.

Honey will give it a bit of sweetness but you could use maple syrup or agave nectar in it’s place if you prefer. I add a bit of light brown sugar in there too for a richer sweet with a bit of molasses taste to it.

For the umami, Soy sauce has that salty tang, amino acids works for gluten-free alternative. And we add minced from fresh Garlic or I use already minced in a jar to make things easier. Ginger can be found in produce section, in a jar already minced

Onions sliced or diced are great. Use yellow or white. If you like them to stay in tact then keep them rather large or just quarter the whole thing and throw it in like that even.

Cornstarch is to thicken sauce if desired. I don’t think this is necessary really but if you want more of a sauce to add to each serving it is helpful. Arrowroot is a gluten free alternative.

And you can add Sriracha for a little heat, even a little doesn’t make it hot but adds a lot of flavor.

What cut of pork shreds the best?

You could use Boston butt, roast or Instant Pot Pork Shoulder. Those are best because they have a decent amount of fat. Fat = flavor and melts down allowing the meat to cook in it which maintains the moisture and keeps it as tender as possible.  

This is a great recipe to serve on small slider buns or on top of Instant Pot white rice. Serve on slider buns or use use this easy roll recipe if you would like. My kids love those small sweet Hawaiian rolls at the store too. It is a quick meal that is just mouth watering.

How long does it take to cook pulled pork in Instant Pot?

Cutting your pork roast into 3 or so equal parts will allow it to become really tender when in less time. If yours is really large than cut into 4 pieces would work better. Make sure they aren’t overlapping. Then it will take approximately 60 minutes to pressure cook to fork tender when done. And always allow the steam to naturally release to maintain a juicy moist outcome.

And that is about it my friends. Savory sauces tossed in with tender meats is our fave, point blank. Of course you could use a bottled sauce like Korean bbq that I have seen at the store if you wanted to. Mine is quite simple though and I like how you can adjust the heat levels.

This easy pork roast in oven at 375 degrees is cooked in a Dutch oven if you don’t have a pressure cooker yet. That one breaks down quite nicely as well but takes quite a while longer of course.

Does pork tenderloin work for pulled pork?

Many people use this cut in their crockpot. If you can find one large enough, this recipe calls for 3 lbs., then yes. The center cut loin I used in my Instant Pot Hawaiian pulled pork sliders turned out great. (seen below) It turned out tender and has a sweet barbecue sauce taste vs. these Asian teriyaki like flavors.

What should I serve with pressure cookr pulled pork?

Shredded pork is fabulous in omelets and inside burritos. You can grab store bought store bought or make your own homemade tortillas. Add some to a grilled cheese sandwich for an over the top lunch! Use small soft tortillas and make Instant Pot tacos. Or stir it into your Instant Pot baked beans for a heartier side dish.

What can I serve with pulled pork besides cole slaw?

Well, that is kinda’ our go to. That and macaroni salad but there are plenty of other pulled pork side dishes:

• Cornbread
• pull apart bread
• Macaroni and cheese
• Hawaiian coleslaw
• Corn fritters
• Potato salad
• Okra

Next you should try this with another protein, like our Asian chicken too. What do you serve with yours?? We’d love to try something new if there’s something else that isn’t on our list!