Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/18/22
Tested by
Danielle Centoni
Danielle Centoni
Tested by Danielle Centoni

Danielle is a James Beard Award-winning food writer and editor based in Portland, Oregon.

Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Shredded Instant Pot pork shoulder in a shallow bowl served with tongs

The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 70 mins
Pressure/Build Time: 25 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
688 Calories
50g Fat
2g Carbs
54g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 688
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 50g 64%
Saturated Fat 18g 90%
Cholesterol 204mg 68%
Sodium 382mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 54g
Vitamin C 3mg 13%
Calcium 64mg 5%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 802mg 17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This simple recipe yields tender shredded melt-in-your-mouth pork, a perfect base for adding seasonings, and ideal for making delicious sandwiches, tacos, and egg rolls. Normally, pork shoulder takes several hours in the oven or slow cooker, but when made in the Instant Pot, the pork cooks in just over an hour, so there's no need to save this dish for the weekend. Plus, using the sauté setting allows you to sear the meat first to create a deep brown crust, which will add to the flavor and texture.

Pork shoulder is a relatively tougher cut of meat compared to the rib or loin. However, that makes it more affordable and, when cooked properly—typically "low and slow"—it becomes fork tender, perfect for shredding and adding to a variety of dishes.

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Click Play to See These Instant Pot Pork Shoulders Come Together

"Cooking a pork shoulder in the instant pot makes it nearly effortless, and super fast, too. This recipe turned out very flavorful and was perfect for pulled pork sandwiches. I just mixed the meat with barbecue sauce after cooking and piled it on buns." —Danielle Centoni

Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt or picnic)

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 onion, cut into quarters

  • 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

  • 1 cup chicken stock (unsalted or low sodium)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Instant Pot pork shoulder recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  2. Slice the pork shoulder into 3 or 4 large chunks.

    Raw pork shoulder cut into three large chunks with a chef's knife on a wooden cutting board

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  3. Select the sauté function and heat the oil in the Instant Pot inner pot. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the pork pieces. Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, turning to brown on all sides.

    Seared pork shoulder pieces in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  4. Add the onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon of the kosher salt, the pepper, and chicken stock.

    Onions, garlic, and seasonings added to seared pork shoulder in an Instant Pot

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  5. Secure the lid on the pot and turn the steam release vent to the sealing position. Choose the pressure cook or manual button (high pressure) and set the timer for 60 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure come down naturally for 10 to 20 minutes. 

    Steam release vent of Instant Pot set to sealing

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  6. With a slotted spoon, remove the pork to a bowl and set it aside to cool. Strain the liquids in the Instant Pot through a mesh strainer. Skim off the fat and discard the solids. Return the defatted liquid to the Instant Pot. Taste the liquid and adjust the seasonings.

    Cooked pork pieces without liquids in a white bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  7. Shred the pork and return it to the Instant Pot. Select the sauté function and cook until the pork is hot.

    Shredded pork in an Instant Pot being stirred with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  8. Transfer to a serving bowl. Alternatively, switch to the "keep warm" setting and serve the pork from the Instant Pot.

    Shredded pork being served with tongs from a shallow plate with BBQ sauce and kaiser rolls to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

  9. Serve the pork in warm buns or taco shells with garnishes and enjoy.

    Shredded pork in hamburger buns with bowls of coleslaw and extra sauce to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

How to Store

The shredded pork freezes beautifully, so don't worry if it seems like too much food. Freeze the leftover shredded pork in well-wrapped small portions to enjoy in future meals and sandwiches.

Recipe Variations

  • Mexican Pork Carnitas: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano and 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried cumin to the pork along with the garlic and replace half of the chicken stock with orange juice. Serve in taco shells or soft tortillas with your favorite taco garnishes.
  • Southern-Style Pulled Pork: Finish the pork by tossing it with barbecue sauce or North Carolina vinegar sauce and serve on soft, warmed buns with coleslaw and sliced dill pickles for fabulous pulled pork sandwiches.

Can You Overcook Pork in the Instant Pot?

It is more common to undercook pork in the Instant Pot than overcook it. If the meat seems tough, it is most likely undercooked and needs additional time.