Instant Pot Pork Shoulder: The Recipe That Will Change Your Life

instant pot pork shoulder
Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to make Pork Shoulder

Are you ready to have your life changed? Because that’s exactly what this Instant Pot Pork Shoulder recipe will do. It’s so simple, but so flavorful, and the final result is fork-tender and juicy. If you’re new to the Instant Pot or pressure cooking in general, this is the perfect recipe to start with. The pork shoulder takes several hours to cook slowly in a traditional smoker, but in the Instant Pot, it cooks in a fraction of that time and requires almost no attention. No more tending to the fire and making sure you’re at a constant steady 250 degrees Fahrenheit. When you take time into consideration – this will get close to what you can get on a Traeger or a Big Green Egg.

What is Pork Shoulder?

Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is a cut of meat from the pig’s upper leg that’s been roasted or braised. In some grocery stores or butchers you may also see it labeled as Boston Butt. We’ve also had great success with Costco Pork Shoulder. It’s incredibly flavorful and is a great choice for dishes like barbecue, tacos, and stews. But what is pork shoulder exactly? Well, first of all, it’s not just one thing. There is a whole range of different cuts that make up the pork shoulder. The main ones are the Boston Butt, the pork picnic, and the pork shoulder blade roast. Depending on where the cut is from, it will have a different texture and flavor. For this recipe, we’re using the pork shoulder.

The Best Cut of Pork for the Instant Pot

The different cuts of pork shoulder have different textures and flavors, so you’ll want to choose the cut that will suit your cooking method best. We always prefer using bone in pork butts, however, sometimes due to size constraints, or what’s available at the grocery store, boneless will work well for this recipe. It has a good balance of fat and connective tissue that makes it perfect for long, slow cooking methods. The boneless pork shoulder comes from the upper portion of the pig’s shoulder. It’s a fairly fatty cut with a lot of connective tissue that makes it perfect to be cooked low and slow. If you’re cooking pork shoulder in the Instant Pot for the first time, the biggest tip that we can give you is to find a cut of meat that will fit into your pressure cooker. Yes, we’ve made this mistake before. There’s nothing worse than finding out that your pork shoulder does not fit into the Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot Secret to Ultra-Tender Pork Shoulder

Instant Pots are super popular right now and for good reason, but many people don’t know how to use them properly. We’ve all heard the stories of pork shoulder not fitting properly, or people not finding success with the recipes they follow. For this recipe, we’re using a few simple tricks that will help get the best results possible.

One of the reasons we love the Instant Pot so much is that it’s very versatile. We’ll list out ingredients, but don’t fret if you don’t have everything on this list. We’ll highlight the key ingredients and what will make your pork shoulder taste as close as possible as coming off the grill. They key to success is buying liquid smoke. This liquid available at most grocery stores – and online at Amazon, will give your meat that nice and smokey flavor that we all enjoy. We like to use Stubb’s Liquid Smoke, but any version will do for this recipe.

liquid smoke for pork shoulder
Liquid Smoke is a must have for any Instant Pot Pork Shoulder recipe

Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

This easy to make instant pork shoulder recipe is perfect for those cold winter days.
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot, pork butt, pork shoulder, pulled pork
Servings: 6 people
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot

Ingredients

  • 3.5 lbs Pork Shoulder
  • 1 tbsp Liquid Smoke
  • 1 cup Chicken stock
  • 1 cup Pork Shoulder Rub
  • 2 Onions
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Remove pork shoulder from refrigerator and allow to stand for at least one hour to come to room temperature
  • Pat the pork shoulder dry to remove any excess moisture
  • Season your meat – this could be as simple as salt and pepper, or using your favorite rub
  • While the meat is seasoning, slice the onion and mince the garlic
  • Set the Instant Pot setting to “sear” or “sauté” and sear as many sides of the pork butt as you can
  • Remove the pork shoulder from the Instant Pot
  • Add in onions, garlic, and salt and pepper
  • Add your liquids: the chicken stock and liquid smoke. Beware, the liquid smoke is very potent. More is not always better. Check your label for proper portioning
  • Pressure cook on high for at least 60 minutes, and allow for a 15 minute natural release
  • Once this cook is done, shred and enjoy as BBQ sandwiches, tacos, or nachos!

Other Ways to Enjoy Ultra-Tender Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

The classic Instant Pot pulled pork recipe outlined here is a great starting point for experimenting with different flavors and ingredients. If you’re someone who likes a bit of heat, consider adding some hot fresno peppers to the meat for an extra kick. This will not only add some spice to the dish, but also a subtle sweetness that balances out the heat.

For those who prefer a more Asian-style flavor, adding soy sauce is a great option. This will give the meat a savory, umami flavor that pairs well with the pork. You can also experiment with other Asian-inspired sauces like Hoisin, which will add a bit of sweetness and depth to the dish.

When it comes to adding sauce to the meat, the possibilities are endless. You can go for a more traditional BBQ sauce for a classic taste, or opt for a Carolina-style sauce that’s tangy and vinegar-based. Alternatively, you can try something completely new and different by experimenting with different types of sauces or even creating your own!

Whatever tweaks you make to the classic recipe, remember to share your thoughts and results in the comments below. We love hearing about new and exciting variations on classic recipes!

Looking for other great pork recipes? Check out our review of Costco pork tenderloin.