This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe is going to become your favorite new keto dinner! So easy and simple to make, with a sugar free BBQ Sauce for extra flavor. Paleo and dairy-free, and only 2g total carbs per serving.
So who got an Instant Pot for Christmas? The popularity of this multipurpose kitchen gadget just keeps continuing to grow. I love mine and it’s perfect for recipes like this easy BBQ Pulled Pork.
Instant Pots have their limitations and sometimes they aren’t any faster than than making the recipe on your stove top. I find that things like pork chops don’t actually fare very well in the Instant Pot, as the fat gets rubbery and chewy, even if you take the time to saute it first.
But meats that need slow braising with liquid are absolutely perfect for it. The Instant Pot cuts down significantly on time and effort and a recipe that might take hours in the oven will take a fraction of the time.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork is the way to go! I don’t think I will ever make it any other way again.
What recipes do well in the Instant Pot?
As I noted previously, some foods don’t do actually do that well in the Instant Pot. I tried pork chops in it recently and was extremely disappointed by the texture. They were really good pasture raised pork chops with a nice thick rind of fat. The pressure made the meat tough and the fat chewy instead of crisp.
If you’re looking for crisped and browned meats, the Instant Pot is not your friend. While the saute function can brown things up a bit, they become flaccid again with the pressure and moist heat. So crispy chicken thighs are best done on the stove top or in the oven.
I also find that already easy soup recipes are actually just as easy or easier on the stovetop. Because it can take time to come up to pressure, you may find it actually takes LONGER to cook a simple soup in an Instant Pot. So it defeats the purpose of saving you time and energy.
But the Instant Pot does a spectacular job on tougher cuts of meat that usually require slow cooking in liquid to become tender. Think stews, curries, and braised meats. And shredded meats, like pulled pork, are an ideal match. An oven braised pulled pork recipe will take upwards of 3 hours, but this Instant Pot Pulled Pork takes only about an hour and a half, start to finish.
Tips for Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Even though this keto meal is simple and straightforward to make, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you get the best flavor and texture for your BBQ pulled pork.
- Cut the pork butt roast into smaller chunks for faster cooking. A whole 3 or 4 lb roast will take a lot longer to cook through than smaller pieces, so your healthy dinner will be ready even sooner.
- Use the sauté function to brown the pork first. This helps caramelize the fats and bring out better flavor in the meat. And that’s part of the charm of an Instant Pot, as you can go from sautéing to pressure cooking quickly and easily, and all in the same pot.
- You don’t need to add a lot of liquid. While braising helps tenderize the meat, pressure cooking will force the meat release plenty of its own juices. I find that a lot of IP recipes add far too much liquid, resulting in a watery end product with a diluted flavor. 1/2 to 1 cup of broth is about all you need.
- Don’t add the sugar free BBQ sauce until the pork is cooked and shredded. Because the pressure releases so much liquid, your sauce will get far too diluted if you add it into the pot early on. Better to add in some extra flavor in the form of chile powder, cumin, and garlic powder, and then toss the shredded pork with the sauce at the very end.
- Discard most of the cooking liquid but keep a little just in case. Depending on the cut of your meat, the pulled pork can get a little dry as it sits. Stirring in a bit of the cooking liquid, which includes fat from the bacon grease as well as the juices of the pork itself.
There you go, my friends. A keto friendly Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe with the easiest sugar free BBQ sauce. Serve over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps for a healthy low carb meal.
What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
Not to worry, I’ve also included oven cooking instructions in the recipe notes. I don’t want to leave anyone hanging, unable to make this delicious keto pulled pork!
This Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe is going to become your favorite new keto dinner! So easy and simple to make, with a sugar free BBQ Sauce for extra flavor. Paleo and dairy-free, and only 2g total carbs per serving.
- 3 to 4 lb pork butt
- Salt and pepper
- 2 tbsp bacon grease (or any oil/butter you prefer)
- 1 tbsp chile powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 recipe Easy Sugar Free BBQ Sauce
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Pat the pork roast dry with a clean rag, then chop into large chunks for faster cooking. Sprinkle generously all over with salt and pepper.
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Turn the instant pot on to the saute function and add the bacon grease. Once melted and hot, add half the pork chunks and brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining chunks.
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Place all the pork back in the pot and sprinkle with the chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Pour in the chicken broth and seal the lid. Make sure the vent is on seal.
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Set the Instant Pot to manual high for 45 minutes. Once cooking is complete, let the pressure release naturally for another 15 to 20 minutes.
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Transfer the pork to a large bowl and shred with two forks. Add the BBQ sauce and toss to combine. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
To make in the oven: Preheat the oven to 300F. Heat the bacon grease in a large Dutch oven over medium heat and brown the pork chunks. Add in the spices and chicken broth (add more chicken broth for the oven method. About 1 1/4 cups will do).
Cover and transfer to the oven and let cook 3 hours. Then remove and shred the pork and toss with the BBQ sauce.
Nancy says
Could not have better timing, yes I got an instant pot for Christmas! Can’t wait to try this.
Carolyn says
Hooray! Enjoy your new toy. 🙂
Becky says
Can this same recipe be used with a pork loin (not tenderloin) rather than a pork butt?
Carolyn says
You should be able to, yes.
Dorothy says
I normally cook my pulled pork in the oven for 7 hrs. I like to add some water and liquids smoke to the bottom of the pan. Do you think it would be ok to add the liquid smoke to the instant pot?
Gwen says
Afraid I’m a bit confused about when to use the trivet in the Instant Pot and when not to. Your recipe sounds as if it’s all in the pot and the meat does NOT sit on the trivet. Is this correct?
Thanks for your great recipes. I love that they are down-to-earth and easy to follow with great results.
Carolyn says
Yep, in this case, the trivet is not necessary. It’s more for things that you are steaming, not stewing. So if you want to cook a whole roast in there and not have it become shredded meat, you’d sit it on the trivet.
AMY M LEMANIAK says
Do you recommend using boneless pork butt or bone-in?
Carolyn says
It really makes no difference, I’ve made it both ways.
Lanée Johnson says
First recipe I tried in my new Ninja Foodi I just got for my birthday and both the recipe and my new kitchen gadget were major hits! Thanks for yet another amazing recipe that helps keep my T1D boy and the rest of the family happy and healthy!
Joe says
Do you have the directions for an old fashioned crock pot??
Carolyn says
Hi Joe, That should be pretty straightforward. I would still brown the chunks of meat in a skillet first. Add it all in, and probably do low for 6 to 8 hours. Or high for 3 to 4. Once you can stick a fork easily into the pork, it’s done!
Tara says
Instant Pot pulled pork is one of my favorite easy IP meals! I buy the 2-packs at Costco and cook one and prep the other and freeze for later.
Anna says
I love making pulled pork in my IP! It’s the best!
Sarah Skaggs says
We love pulled pork, this recipe looks perfect!!!
Kara says
So tasty! I know I’m weird (at least my family says so), but I think it’s great even without the BBQ sauce.
Carolyn says
I do too. Thanks!
Cheryl says
My Instant Pot is getting a work out this month!! This pulled pork is perfection!
alice bruns says
loving this site i am doing lo carb love this recipe
Sarah B. says
My entire family loves this recipe. It’s so easy, and my kids will literally eat it for every meal until it’s gone. If I’m in a ridiculous hurry, I’ll substitute G Hughes Smokehouse Sugar-Free Hickory Flavored BBQ sauce. It’s delicious!
Christina M Simmons says
Great taste! Made for dinner tonite. Hubby loved too! Shared on Facebook as I have friends always interested in new recipes for their instant pots and keto.
Carolyn says
Thanks, Christina!
Pye Cornejo says
Oh my GOSH! This is a money maker! You need to start bottling that BBQ Sauce! I made a three pound pork butt in the Instant Pot this evening for my husband and myself. Three pounds! At the store, I was thinking I wish there were smaller pieces to buy because that’s way too much meat. WRONG! There is barely enough for one serving of leftovers! I’ll love you forever! Thank you!!!
Carolyn says
I am so delighted you like it that much!
Lynne Eisenhut says
I just made this – only thing i did was add a few drops of liquid smoke to the instapot. WOW!! this is so easy and tasted fantastic. Used your BBQ sauce recipe also fantastic. THANK YOU. Love and appreciate all the hard work you put in. Makes my life so much better on Keto!!
Samantha says
Wow! So freaking delicious! We loved this so much that we plan to make it when it’s our turn to cook on family vacation. The sauce could not have been easier for something so delicious. I made extra of the sauce and was so glad I did. I’ve been slathering it on everything lol. Thanks so much for a knock-out recipe!!
Sherry Knowles says
Made this BBq pork and it is so good I could not believe how good it was! It is as good as local bbq place and probably better. I just wanted to say thanks so much!~
Carolyn says
That’s so great to hear!
Kristine Self says
I love your recipes! Curious – have you ever done this one with frozen pork? If so, how much longer would you cook?
Carolyn says
I have not tried it that way. Maybe you can google and find something similar and then do my flavours and other ingredients?