Pork butt, also known as Boston butt, is one of the most flavorful cuts of pork. It’s perfect for pulled pork, tacos, sandwiches, and more. While traditionally a pork butt is roasted low and slow in the oven for hours, the Instant Pot provides a fast and easy way to cook tender, fall-apart pork butt in a fraction of the time.
In this complete guide, you’ll learn:
- Benefits of using the Instant Pot
- Choosing the right size pork butt
- Preparing the meat
- Making a flavorful rub
- Step-by-step Instant Pot cooking directions
- Serving suggestions and leftover ideas
Follow the tips and directions below for juicy, delicious Instant Pot pork butt every time.
Why Cook Pork Butt in an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a game changer when cooking pork butt for several reasons:
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Fast cooking time – Pork butt is done in 60-90 minutes instead of 5-8 hours in the oven, Great for weeknights
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Tender and juicy – The moist heat environment produces incredibly tender pork.
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More flavor – Spices and seasoning fully penetrate the meat.
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Little effort – Set it and forget it! No need for monitoring.
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Safety – Maintains safe internal temp without drying out meat.
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Space saving – Cooks meat and sides at the same time.
Using the Instant Pot means you can enjoy tasty pulled pork any night of the week with almost no hands-on time required.
Choosing the Right Size Pork Butt
For the Instant Pot, you want to select a Boston butt in the 3-4 lb range. Here are some tips for picking the best one:
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Weight – Choose a 3-4 lb cut to fit in a 6-8 quart Instant Pot. Larger pots can accommodate a bigger roast.
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Shape – Opt for a uniformly thick roast vs. an oddly shaped one for even cooking.
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Marbling – Look for ample white fat marbling through the pork for flavor and moisture.
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Color – Pick roasts with reddish-pink meat without dark spots.
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Label – Ensure the label states “Boston butt” for the most tender texture.
Allow the roast to sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to prevent a drastic temp change that can affect doneness.
Preparing Pork Butt for the Instant Pot
Proper prep is key for the best results when pressure cooking pork butt:
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Trim – Use a sharp knife to trim off any hard fat or silver skin. Leave a thin layer of fat.
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Dry – Pat the meat very dry with paper towels. This helps the rub adhere.
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Score – Lightly score the top of the roast in a criss-cross pattern to allow spices to penetrate.
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Season – Generously apply a dry rub all over pork (more details below). Cover completely.
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Rest – Let sit for 10-20 minutes post seasoning to allow flavors to soak in.
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Separate – If roast is extra large, cut in half so it lays flat in pot.
Now the pork is ready for the magic of the Instant Pot!
How to Make a Flavorful Dry Rub
A good dry rub amplifies pork’s flavor and gives a tasty, textured crust when pressure cooked. For best results, opt for coarse rubs over fine powder versions. Here are some rub combos to try:
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Classic BBQ – Brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt
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Tex Mex – Cumin, chili powder, oregano, coriander, onion powder
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Caribbean – Brown sugar, allspice, cumin, thyme, cayenne
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Coffee – Brown sugar, coffee, cumin, garlic, pepper
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Asian – Brown sugar, Chinese five-spice, ginger, sesame seeds
Make sure to thoroughly coat all sides and crevices of the pork with the seasoning blend. The coarse texture helps the rub adhere.
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Pork Butt Directions
Follow these simple steps for perfect Instant Pot pulled pork every time:
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Sear meat – Select Saute setting and brown pork butt on all sides, about 5 minutes total. This seals in juices.
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Deglaze – Add 1 cup broth and use wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off bottom of pot.
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Add ingredients – Place seared pork butt in pot and add more broth, apple cider vinegar, and any other flavorful liquids.
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Pressure cook – Seal lid, set to High Pressure for 60-90 minutes depending on size. Allow 10 minutes for coming to pressure.
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Natural release – Let pressure release naturally for at least 20-30 minutes to keep pork moist.
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Shred meat – Remove pork to a cutting board. Use forks to shred meat, discarding any bones.
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Serve and enjoy – Pile shredded pork onto buns, tacos, salads, baked potatoes, and more!
The boneless pork butt is now transformed into tender, mouthwatering pulled pork!
Handy Tips for Instant Pot Pork Butt Perfection
- Crumple up aluminum foil and place under pork to elevate – helps prevent burning.
- Add liquid smoke, beef broth, or beer for extra flavor dimension.
- Letting pressure release naturally is crucial for moist shredded meat.
- For easy cleanup, place pork in an oven-safe dish then insert dish in pot.
- Use Natural release, then Quick release remaining pressure after 10 minutes.
- Shred pork with meat claws or forks. Mix in accumulated juices.
- Return shredded pork to pot and keep warm on Keep Warm setting until ready to serve.
Serving Ideas for Instant Pot Pork Butt
Pulled pork is incredibly versatile. Here are some yummy ways to use up leftover shredded pork:
- Pulled pork sandwiches – tossed with BBQ sauce, served on buns
- Breakfast tacos or burritos – with scrambled eggs and cheese
- Nachos – piled on tortilla chips with melted cheese
- Baked potatoes – topped with pulled pork and fixings
- Rice bowls – added to rice with veggies and sauce
- Pizza – used as topping instead of Italian sausage
- Pasta dishes – mixed into baked ziti, mac and cheese, etc.
- Soup – added to chili, split pea soup, ramen noodles
- Salads – sprinkled on leafy greens, grain bowls
- Omelets or breakfast sandwiches – great way to use leftovers
- Snack – wrapped in lumpia or egg rolls for an appetizer
Get creative with global flavors and easy sides to reinvent leftovers into new exciting meals.
Conclusion
The Instant Pot offers a quick, easy and delicious way to cook incredibly moist, fall-apart pork butt in just an hour or two. Follow these tips for choosing the right size roast, preparing it properly, making a flavorful dry rub, nailing the pressure cooking instructions, and serving tender shredded pork in creative ways. With the Instant Pot, you can skip the slow oven roast and still enjoy amazing pulled pork any night of the week. Give this method a try for your next taco night or sandwich supper!
Cooking a Pork Butt in the Instant Pot with Belinda.
FAQ
Why is my pulled pork tough in the Instant Pot?
What is the best liquid to cook pulled pork in?
Can you cook pork too long in Instant Pot?
Do you cook pork shoulder fat side up or down in Instant Pot?
How to cook pork in an Instant Pot?
To cook pork in an Instant Pot, first brown the meat. Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat half of the oil in the inner pot. Brown the pork pieces on all sides (4-5 minutes per side) and set aside. Next, deglaze and saute onions. (Step 1: Brown the meat. Set the Instant Pot to Saute mode and heat half of the oil in the inner pot. Working in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot, add the pork pieces and brown on all sides. This takes about 4-5 minutes per side. Set the pork aside. Step 2: Deglaze and saute onions.)
How do you Pressure Cook pork in an Instant Pot?
Use chicken broth to deglaze the bottom of the pan making sure scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the pork back and add the Instant Pot lid. Set the valve to sealing and set to pressure cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Allow a natural release for 20 minutes then manually release any remaining pressure.
How to cook pork shoulder in Instant Pot?
Carefully place the seasoned side of pork shoulder in Instant Pot. Then, season the other side with salt and black pepper. Brown one side for 5 minutes before flipping over, then brown the other side for another 5 minutes. Finally, remove the browned pork shoulder, then set aside. Now, add sliced onions in Instant Pot, then saute for 3 ½ minutes.
How do you cook a Boston butt in an Instant Pot?
To cook a Boston butt in an Instant Pot, allow the pork to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before starting. Trim excess fat and cut the roast into 4 pieces, removing any bones. Add spices to a large bowl and whisk together. Then, cook the pork in an Instant Pot for one hour to make juicy and flavorful Instant Pot Pulled Pork that feeds a crowd.