Name: BBQ Shredded Pork Loin Instant Pot
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Ingredients: 1 4 lb. pork loin or shoulder; 2 tbsp. cajun seasoning; 2 tbsp. olive oil; 1/2 cup chicken stock; 2 cups BBQ sauce (divided)

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BBQ Shredded Pork Loin in the Instant Pot is tender and full of sweet and savory flavor. Use your favorite bottle of barbecue sauce for an easy meal to make for your family or for a crowd. This pulled pork recipe makes stellar sandwiches!

One of my favorite uses for the Instant Pot is taking large pieces of meat and making them ultra tender. Although the crockpot works well for this too, the Instant Pot gets the job done much quicker.

I also love that you can do everything in one. Sautéing the meat before adding the liquid really gives it a nice sear and flavor. This function isn't available on most crockpots and requires dirtying another pan.

The Instant Pot is the best friend of multitasking cook. As soon as I get everything in there and close the lid, I know that the machine is working all of its magic and I don't have to think, or stir, until it's all done! I'm free to clean the kitchen, get a load of laundry in, or sit on the couch and read.

For this pressure cooker pork recipe, I start by cutting up the meat into more manageable hunks-- this creates more surface area, which means more of the meat will get browned during the first step. It also helps the pork to cook faster than if it were in one large piece.

Then I simply add the rest of the ingredients and set the pot to High Pressure. No chopping required!

Obviously this recipe for pulled pork is with barbecue sauce, but the base recipe is very versatile and could easily be adapted for tacos or other dishes. If you are looking for another delicious way to cook and shred a pork butt, shoulder, loin, try this pepperoncini pork roast. That recipe also includes a slow cooker instructions.

More recipes using pork

Why this recipe works

lean cut of meat
customizable. Use your favorite barbecue sauce to make it your own.
simple. No chopping required!
great for a crowd

What's the best cut of pork to use for pulled pork?

Here I use pork loin roast, which is pretty lean. The risk you run with using pork loin is it can come out dry or with less flavor. Luckily the method of cooking and a generous amount of bbq sauce make sure that doesn't happen.

If you are looking for other cuts, my favorites are pork butt or pork shoulder. These have more fat to them and that equals more flavor.

You could use pork tenderloin (it's a different cut than the loin) if you want, but I would suggest saving that tender cut of meat for roasting or grilling.

Ingredients for bbq shredded pork loin

ingredients for shredded pork loin on a white background.

pork loin or shoulder
cajun seasoning
olive oil
chicken stock
BBQ sauce, divided

Instructions

Cut up pork shoulder into 4 pieces that are approximately the same size. Use your hands to coat meat with the spices. Be sure to wash your hands well, especially before touching your eyes or face!

Turn on the Instant Pot saute function and add two tablespoons of olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in the pork pieces and brown on all sides, this should take about 5-7 minutes. Place meat on a plate to the side.

browned chunks of pork loin in instant pot.

Turn off Instant Pot. To the pot add chicken stock and ½ of the bbq sauce. Place browned meat back in.

Close the lid and cook on High Pressure for 40 minutes. Allow to natural release for 10 minutes, and then quick release the rest of the way.

finished pork loin that hasn't been shredded.

Use forks to shred pork and add in remaining bbq sauce and stir to coat.

How to serve

My favorite way to serve these pulled pork sandwiches is on a bun with an extra drizzle of bbq sauce and some simple coleslaw spooned on top. If you have never had coleslaw on a bbq sandwich, you are missing out! I highly suggest trying it.

These sandwiches are also great topped with a slice of cheese, pickles, or pickled jalapenos.

up close of bbq pork sandwich with coleslaw.

Storage

Fridge: Store any leftover bbq pulled pork in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer: This recipe freezes really well. Once cool, freeze pulled pork in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and then reheat on the stove or in the microwave.