This Keto Pulled Pork is lusciously tender and so easy to make! Pair it with sugar free BBQ sauce for extra flavor. It’s dairy-free, and only 2g total carbs per serving. Oven instructions included too!
My family is absolutely bonkers for this keto pulled pork. It’s so mouthwateringly tender, with a sweet and spicy kick. And since it’s cooked in an Instant Pot, it takes only about half the time to make.
How delicious is that?
Now don’t panic if you don’t have an IP, as you can still make this keto pulled pork in the oven. It’s just as easy, albeit more time consuming. Check out the recipe notes for those instructions.
Keto recipes in the Instant Pot
This multipurpose kitchen gadget really is incredibly useful for keto cooking. I’ve made so many wonderful family dinners, including creamy chicken and mushrooms and keto salsa chicken.
It’s even useful for desserts like keto pecan pie cheesecake.
Instant Pots have their limitations, of course and sometimes they aren’t any faster than than making the recipe on your stove top. Things like keto pork chops don’t fare as well, as the fat tends to get rubbery and chewy.
And if you want nicely browned meats with a crisp exterior, skip the IP and use your oven or an air fryer.
But the Instant Pot does a spectacular job on tougher cuts of meat that require slow cooking with liquid, like stews, curries, and braised meats. And shredded meats, like keto 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!
How to make keto pulled pork
This is one of our favorite easy keto dinner recipes. Here are my best tips for getting it right:
- Cut the meat into chunks. A whole 3 or 4 lb roast takes a lot longer to cook through, so cutting it up saves even more time.
- Brown the pork first. This helps caramelize the fats and bring out better flavor in the meat. Use the sauté function on the Instant Pot.
- Don’t add too much liquid. While braising helps tenderize the meat, pressure cooking will force the meat release plenty of its own juices. I find that many IP recipes add far too much liquid, resulting in a watery result with a diluted flavor.
- Add the BBQ sauce after cooking. Because the pressure releases so much liquid, your sauce will get far too diluted if you add it into the pot before cooking.
- Reserve a little of the cooking liquid. Depending on the cut of meat, pulled pork can get a little dry as it sits. Stir in a bit of the cooking liquid, which includes fat from the bacon grease as well as the juices from the pork itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not to worry, I’ve included oven cooking instructions in the recipe notes. I don’t want to leave anyone hanging, unable to make this delicious keto pulled pork!
Absolutely. I recommend browning the meat in a skillet first, and cooking on low for 6 to 8 hours. Use the same amount of broth as the oven instructions.
Yes, you can use any fat or oil you prefer. I recommend using one that withstands high heat like coconut oil or avocado oil. Lard or beef tallow would also work.
Yes, this is a fabulous make-ahead recipe. We make a bunch at once and refrigerate the leftovers for another meal. And shredded meats like this freeze very nicely.
What to serve with keto pulled pork
So many delicious ways to serve this easy keto meal! Here are some fun ideas:
- With cilantro lime cauliflower rice
- On keto cheddar zucchini waffles
- Over a slice of keto cornbread
- Overtop some keto zucchini fritters
- As lettuce wraps
- With a side of Dill Pickle Coleslaw
Keto Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Video
Notes
Cover and transfer to the oven and let cook 3 hours. Then remove and shred the pork and toss with the BBQ sauce.
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?
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!
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!!
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!!
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!
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!
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!
alice bruns says
loving this site i am doing lo carb love this recipe
Cheryl says
My Instant Pot is getting a work out this month!! This pulled pork is perfection!
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!
Sarah Skaggs says
We love pulled pork, this recipe looks perfect!!!
Anna says
I love making pulled pork in my IP! It’s the best!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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?
Sue says
Yes. Adding the liquid smock will give it another depth of slow smoked flavor
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.
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. 🙂