Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Prep: 40 min Cook: 80 min Total: 120 min Servings: 8
Annie Lampella @ Ketofocus

By Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Published June 10, 2021 • Updated June 2, 2025

Reader Rating
4.8 Stars (5 Reviews)
Dairy FreeEgg FreeInstant PotNut Free

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Pulled pork is a classic southern American BBQ dish that consists of juicy and flavorful shredded pork. With this recipe, you can make a keto pulled pork in the instant pot. The instant pot is a foolproof way to make delicious pulled pork in half the time it would take in a slow cooker!

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Instant Pot Pulled Pork

4.8 (5) Prep 40m Cook 80m Total 120m 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 (5 pounds) bone-in pork shoulder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sugar free golden sweetener
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup low-carb bbq saucer

Step by Step Instructions

Step by Step Instructions

1
Made dry rub

In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, sugar free brown sugar, and onion powder together.

a bowl with dry rub seasoning inside
2
Pat dry

On a plate take the shoulder pork out of its wrapping and dry it with a paper towel or This will help the seasoning to stick to it.

a dry slab of pork shoulder in a mixing bowl
3
Rub down

Apply dry rub to the pork shoulder.

seasoned pork shoulder in a dish
4
Sear using sauté mode on the pressure cooker

Set your Instant Pot at Sauté. Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into the Instant Pot. Brown the pork shoulder on all sides, approximately 2 minutes per side. Take the pork shoulder out of the Instant Pot and set aside. Gently pour chicken broth into the Instant Pot to deglaze the pan. With a wooden spoon mix well making sure, all the little pieces left from browning are loose in the broth. Add the barbecue sauce. Mix well with the broth.

a seared pork roast
5
Pressure cook

Put the seared pork shoulder back into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and make sure the vent is close. Pressure cook high for 80 minutes with 15 minutes of natural release. Once it is cooked, remove from the Instant Pot and place in a casserole dish. Remove the bone. Shred using claws or two forks.

a dish with shredded pork inside
6
Sauce it

Return the shredded pork back to the Instant Pot and toss in the sauce to coat.

a ladel with bbq juices in it over shredded pork
Nutrition Per Serving
570 Calories
35.9g Fat
56.4g Protein
1.3g Net Carbs
1.4g Total Carbs
8 Servings
Nutrition disclaimer

The nutrition information provided is an estimate and is for informational purposes only. I am a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); however, this content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified health provider before making any lifestyle changes or beginning a new nutrition program.

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Keto pulled pork in the instant pot

shredded pulled pork in the liner of an instant pot
This instant pot pulled pork recipe makes the juiciest and most tender pulled pork. The secret ingredient of this instant pot pulled pork is brown sugar-free sweetener, making this recipe keto-friendly while maintaining that sweet and delicious pulled pork flavor. With bone-in pork shoulder, olive oil, pepper, paprika, onion, powder, chicken broth, and some of your favorite low-carb barbecue sauce, this dish is packed with aromatic flavors. This keto pulled pork is easy to make and easy to love. What you are left with is a delicious pork recipe to put in pulled pork sandwiches.
tongs holding juicy pulled pork

Benefits of cooking pulled pork in an instant pot

Whether you opt to cook bbq pulled pork in on the grill, instant pot or a slow cooker, the general taste, and tenderness of the meat will be relatively the same. But if you are looking for a way to cut down the cooking time, instant pot pulled pork is the way to go. By cooking your keto pulled pork in an instant pot, the meat will only take 80 minutes to cook rather than a full 3-5 hours. The instant pot pulled pork makes it so that you don’t have to plan too far in advance when you are craving pulled pork.

The dry rub

The rub seasoning is used to seal the natural flavoring of the meat while also adding additional flavor to the meat. This keto pulled pork recipe uses a rub made with a mix of salt, pepper, paprika, sugar free brown sweetener, and onion powder. The spice flavors can be adjusted based on what flavors you want to come through more strongly in your instant pot pulled pork.
juicy pork shreds in a casserole dish

Sear the pork shoulder

One of the most important steps to cooking pulled pork, or even just meat in general is the sear. The sear locks in all of the flavor and juices before being cooked for hours and caramelizes the fat and sugars creating a rich and intensified flavor. Definitely don’t forget to sear your meat!

Best cut of pork for pulled pork

The best cut of pork for pulled pork is pork shoulder. Pork shoulder has the perfect ratio of fat to meat to create a juicy and easy-to-pull apart texture. While some people say that the bone-in pork shoulder is better since it keeps the meat moister, boneless pork shoulder is more common in grocery stores. For your Instant Pot pulled pork, you can either choose a bone-in pork shoulder or a boneless piece for a relatively similar taste, tenderness, and fat content. Another option for cut to use in this pork recipe, is the pork butt. It will work well for making pulled pork in the pressure cooker just as well; however, pork shoulder can be easier to find over pork butt.

Low carb BBQ sauce

For the best tangy, low-carb BBQ sauce, homemade is the way to go. It’s a less expensive route. This recipe calls for simple, everyday seasonings such as apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce (lowest carbohydrate variety), low-carb ketchup, golden monk fruit, smoked paprika, ground cumin, black pepper, and salt. Within less than 10 minutes, you can have a smoky and tangy keto bbq sauce ready for your pulled pork. As for store-bought keto BBQ sauces, Lillie’s Q is a popular favorite. Lillie’s Q bbq sauce is made of high-quality ingredients that come together to make an authentic Southern bbq taste. This bbq sauce is sugar-free, does not contain GMOs, and is gluten and dairy-free as well. Primal Kitchen is another great low-sugar bbq sauce. This recipe boasts bold, smokey flavors and is great for anyone on a paleo diet, keto diet, or just someone who is looking for a delicious barbeque sauce.

Other keto recipes similar to pulled pork

Here’s are few recommended keto diet recipes to try:
Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?

Absolutely! While pork shoulder is the traditional choice for pulled pork due to its marbling and flavor, you can also use pork butt or even pork loin. Just keep in mind that leaner cuts like pork loin may not yield the same tender, juicy results.

What can I substitute for the sugar-free golden sweetener?

If you don't have sugar-free golden sweetener on hand, you can substitute it with a different zero-calorie sweetener like erythritol or stevia. Just adjust the amount based on the sweetness level, as different sweeteners can vary in potency.

How long can I store leftover pulled pork?

Leftover pulled pork can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.

What sides pair well with pulled pork?

Great question! Pulled pork pairs wonderfully with keto-friendly sides like coleslaw, cauliflower rice, or grilled vegetables. You can also serve it in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Is there a way to make this recipe spicier?

Definitely! If you like some heat, consider adding cayenne pepper or chili powder to the spice mix. You could also mix in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce into the sauce before serving.

About the Author
Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie Lampella, Pharm.D.

Annie is a Doctor of Pharmacy, mom, and the recipe creator behind KetoFocus. With a B.S. in Genetics from UC Davis, she has over 14 years of experience developing family-friendly keto recipes based on the science of human metabolism.

Learn more about Annie View My Cookbook

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10 Comments

  1. This recipe turned out amazing. The pork was incredibly tender and juicy. I especially loved how the seasoning blend created a delicious crust on the outside after sautéing. It added a wonderful depth of flavor that made the dish stand out. Definitely making it again.

    Reply

  2. Turned out really tender and flavorful. I loved how fast it came together with the Instant Pot. I skipped searing though and it still came out great.

    Reply

  4. Annie, I’m not very well-versed in the InstantPot. Any idea how long I should cook a 4.5 lb BONELESS shoulder roast for? I’m not even sure if the boneless would add time or shorten the time! Help if you can, please. Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Hi Annie! I seldom use my InstantPot, so I’m not good on figuring out timing yet. If i have a 4.5 – 5 lb *boneless* shoulder roast, should I adjust the time or just follow the recipe? Thanks in advance!

    Reply

  7. The mallaird reaction is what happens during browning. This reaction occurs automatically during pressure cooking. So no browning needed! See TwoSleevers.com for a vid about this.

    Reply

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