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Tender, Flavorful Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

This Instant Pot Pork Shoulder recipe is an incredibly easy and flavor-packed meal prep solution that yields exceptionally tender pulled pork. You’ll adore its versatility for various meals and the fact that it only requires about 10 minutes of active preparation time!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

Below are the essential ingredients required to create this exceptionally delicious and tender Instant Pot Pork Shoulder. For the best culinary results, always aim to use fresh, high-quality ingredients.

• 4 lbs pork shoulder (pork butt), cut into approximately 2-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp avocado oil (or another high-smoke point cooking oil suitable for searing)
• 1 cup beef broth (low sodium is often preferred for better flavor control)
• Juice of 1 fresh lime

For the Savory Seasoning Mix:

This carefully balanced blend of spices creates the signature flavor of our Instant Pot Pork Shoulder.

• 1 tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ground allspice
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar (omit for strict Whole30 or Keto diets, as it adds a touch of sweetness)
• 2 tsp dried sage
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for those who enjoy a subtle, warming heat)

Essential Equipment

To successfully prepare this Instant Pot Pork Shoulder recipe, you will need the following kitchen tools:

• An Instant Pot (a 6-quart or 8-quart model is typically ideal for this quantity of pork)
• A large mixing bowl for seasoning the pork
• Sturdy tongs or a large slotted spoon for mixing, searing, and shredding
• Accurate measuring cups and spoons

Alternatively, if you opt for the slow cooker method, you’ll need:

• A Slow Cooker (a 6-quart or larger model)
• A large, heavy-bottomed pan or skillet for searing the pork on the stovetop

Detailed Instructions for Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

Follow these precise and detailed steps to create perfectly tender and wonderfully flavorful Instant Pot Pork Shoulder:

1. Prepare the Pork: Begin by cutting your 4 pounds of pork shoulder into uniform 2-inch cubes. This crucial step ensures even cooking and allows for maximum surface area for searing. Place the prepared pork cubes directly into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil over the pork and toss them gently with tongs or a large spoon to ensure each piece is lightly and evenly coated.
2. Craft the Seasoning Mix: In a small, separate bowl or a clean jar, combine all of your seasoning ingredients: salt, ground cumin, ground allspice, coconut sugar (if you are including it), dried sage, dried thyme, ground nutmeg, and the optional cayenne pepper. Mix them thoroughly until all the spices are well combined and evenly distributed.
3. Season the Pork Thoroughly: Evenly sprinkle the freshly prepared seasoning mix over the pork cubes in the Instant Pot. Use a spoon or tongs to mix and coat all the pork pieces thoroughly. Ensure every surface of the pork is well-covered with the aromatic spice blend for maximum flavor penetration.
4. Sear the Pork for Flavor: Press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and set it to high heat. Allow it to heat up for a few minutes until it reads “Hot.” Once hot, add a portion of the seasoned pork to the pot, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook the pork for 1-2 minutes per side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms. This crucial searing step is vital for developing deep, rich flavor in your pulled pork. You will likely need to work in 2-3 batches. Alternatively, you can transfer half of the seasoned pork to a separate hot pan on the stove and sear it there while the other half browns in the Instant Pot, expediting the process. Once all pork is seared, press “Cancel” on the Instant Pot.
5. Add Liquids and Deglaze: Pour the beef broth into the Instant Pot. Immediately use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits that may be stuck to the bottom of the pot. This process, known as deglazing, adds incredible depth of flavor to your dish and also helps prevent a “Burn” notice from appearing. Squeeze the fresh juice of one lime over the pork; the acidity will help tenderize the meat and brighten the overall flavor profile.
6. Pressure Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring it is properly locked. Verify that the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” (or “Pressure Cook”) button and set the cooking time to 45 minutes on high pressure.
7. Natural Pressure Release: Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 20 minutes. This “Natural Pressure Release” is absolutely vital for tenderizing the meat and preventing it from becoming tough or chewy. After 20 minutes, carefully and manually release any remaining pressure by turning the valve to “Venting.” Always use a kitchen towel or oven mitt to protect your hand from the escaping steam. Once the float valve drops completely, you can safely remove the lid.
8. Shred and Serve: Using two sturdy forks or strong tongs, begin to shred the pork directly in the Instant Pot, allowing it to soak up the flavorful cooking juices. You can choose to leave it in larger, rustic chunks for a heartier texture or shred it finely for classic pulled pork. Serve the incredibly tender pork shoulder immediately, ensuring some of the delicious juices from the Instant Pot are spooned over the top for extra moisture and enhanced flavor.

Instructions for Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder

If you prefer the classic, low-and-slow method using a slow cooker, here’s how to adapt this delicious recipe to achieve similar tender results:

1. Prepare and Season: Follow the initial three steps precisely from the Instant Pot instructions above: cut the pork into 2-inch cubes, coat it with avocado oil, and mix it thoroughly with the complete seasoning blend. Place the seasoned pork cubes into your slow cooker.
2. Sear on Stovetop (Essential Step): Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pan or skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat with a tablespoon of avocado oil. Once the pan is hot, transfer the seasoned pork pieces to the pan (working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding) and brown them thoroughly on all sides. This searing step is absolutely crucial for developing a rich depth of flavor, as slow cookers do not brown food on their own.
3. Combine in Slow Cooker: Once the pork is beautifully browned, add it to the slow cooker. Pour the beef broth in with the pork and squeeze the juice of one lime over everything, ensuring even distribution.
4. Slow Cook to Tenderness: Place the lid securely on the slow cooker and cook on the “Low” setting for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is incredibly tender and easily shreds with a fork.
5. Shred and Serve: Once cooked, shred the pork with two forks or tongs, leaving it in your desired chunk sizes. Serve the tender pork shoulder with some of the flavorful cooking liquid from the slow cooker to keep it moist and maximize its taste.

Optional Step: For Crispy Pork Pieces (Carnitas Style Finish)

For an extra layer of irresistible texture and amplified flavor, you can easily transform some of your tender pulled pork into delightful crispy carnitas-style pieces:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to the broil setting, ensuring it reaches its optimal temperature before placing the pork inside.
2. Prepare for Broiling: After you have shredded the pork (whether from the Instant Pot or slow cooker method), use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the pork (and any softened onions or aromatics if you added them during cooking) from the pot and spread it out evenly onto a large sheet pan. Spoon a small amount of the flavorful cooking juices from the pot over the top of the pork on the sheet pan.
3. Broil to Perfection: Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and broil for approximately 6-8 minutes. It is vital to watch the pork very carefully during this stage, as broiler temperatures can vary, and it can go from perfectly crispy to burnt very quickly. The pork will begin to develop delicious brown and crispy edges. Cook to your preferred level of crispiness.
4. Skillet Alternative for Crispiness: Alternatively, you can achieve wonderfully crispy pork by simply transferring some of the shredded pork to a hot skillet over medium-high heat with a little additional oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired crispiness and texture. This method is particularly convenient and efficient if you are reheating and crisping up smaller portions of leftover pork from the refrigerator.

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