A delicious instant pot pork recipe, this Instant Pot Pulled Pork is made with a delicious cajun-inspired pork rub and your favorite dark soda!

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe

Pulled Pork is one of those menu items that you see everywhere, but not everyone does it justice.

Pulled Pork should be flavorful, saucy, tender and juicy – anything else is just an aberration. The best is when it is topped off with some tangy-creamy coleslaw and another dollop of sauce. Sooo goooood.

I’ve tried a few methods of making pulled pork over the year – stovetop, crockpot, in the oven, and now in the Instant Pot, and I think the Instant Pot is now officially my favorite way to make pulled pork. It does all of the work for you, and it takes way less time than any other method in turning out fork-tender pork.

Looking for more Instant Pot Recipes? Check out our full collection here!

Ways to Use Leftover Pulled Pork

Now, this recipe makes a lot of pulled pork. It’s perfect for entertaining, but if you’re just making this for your family, you’re going to want to have a few other ideas up your sleeves, like:

• Pulled Pork Burrito Bowls
• Pulled Pork Stuffed Avocadoes
• Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese
• Pulled Pork Pizza
• Top baked potatoes with it
• Pulled Pork Nachos
• Cowboy Omelets
• Pulled Pork Poutine
• Pulled Pork and Waffles

Or, you can simply freeze half (or more) of the pulled pork in freezer-safe ziplock bags and just thaw them out when you are ready for another night of pulled pork. I like to freeze in one pound amounts as that usually gives us about 6 servings (depending on how we’re serving it).

With the addition of the soda (or vinegar) to this recipe, the homemade cajun spice blend turns into a thick spice rub and coats the pulled pork with a generous slath of flavor. Just be sure to use a full-sugar soda, and nothing diet as that will result in a bad (tinny) aftertaste.

This recipe results in juicy, tender pulled pork with a slightly sweet and (not too) spicy flavor profile. I find it has that perfect balance and the leftover sauce in the Instant Pot is so good to spoon on top of your pulled pork sandwich after you load it up with all that glorious pulled pork.

Check out our quick video to see how to make this easy Instant Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Pork recipe – and then don’t forget to scroll down to grab your free printable recipe card:

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pulled Pork

• 1/2 cup dark soda or apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 Tablespoons cajun or barbecue seasoning of choice
• 5lb Pork Shoulder
• Coleslaw, for serving
• Buns, for serving

Tip: we used Dr Pepper in this recipe, but Coca-Cola would also be delicious. Do not use a diet soda.

Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful

• Instant Pot
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Sharp knife
• Forks, for shredding

How to Make Make Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot

Combine the soda or vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, and Worcestershire sauce together.

Place the pork shoulder directly in the Instant Pot and pour the homemade bbq sauce overtop to help the seasoning stick.

Rub the seasoning into the pork, ensuring that you cover it completely to make a nice bark.

Place the lid on your IP, select “manual” and adjust to high pressure for 60 minutes. Natural release.

Shred the pork with two forks and serve on buns alongside your favorite coleslaw.

Pin this Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe:

Grab your free printable recipe card for our simple Dr Pepper pulled pork recipe:

This super simple pulled pork recipe results in tender, juicy pulled pork with a perfectly balanced sweet and slightly spicy flavor profile. Cooking it in the instant pot is now my go-to method for making pulled pork.

For more delicious Instant Pot recipes, check out our Instant Pot Hawaiian Pot Roast or our Instant Pot  Taco Pasta.