Easy Braised Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe – Super delicious, tender, juicy, and flavorful pork recipe. Comes together easily any night of the week and is a family favorite when served with golden rice & cucumber salad!
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Pork shoulder, sometimes called Boston butt or pork butt, is a wonderful cut of meat to use when cooked low and slow, which is why braised pork shoulder is so popular.
When I started making it in the Instant Pot I realized that the pressure cooker gives me the same results in a shorter amount of time!
Fall-apart tender meat that melts in your mouth thanks to all the fatty connective tissues found in pork shoulder. When it’s not cooked properly it can be quite tough and hard to eat, but using the Instant Pot is basically foolproof!
This easy braised pork shoulder made in the pressure cooker is hearty, satisfying, and so comforting, especially on cold weather days. I love making this as a quick and easy dinner any day of the week and because of how inexpensive it is, it’s a cut of meat I usually have on hand!
There are so many ways to serve this pork shoulder instant pot recipe. My whole family loves when we have it with golden rice and cucumber salad, but you can easily serve it with fluffy mashed potatoes and grilled veggies.
This super delicious and tender meat can also be shredded apart and used in tacos, burritos, and in pulled pork sandwiches!
Ingredients for Pork Shoulder Instant Pot
- Pork shoulder: This type of meat can be found bone-in or boneless. Definitely use boneless for this recipe as it’s much easier to cut up, and won’t take as long to cook. Trim the fat and cut it into 2-inch pieces.
- Seasoning: I have a delicious homemade steak seasoning blend I like to use, but if you have a pork seasoning blend you like, go ahead and use it. I also add paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper for heat, salt, and black pepper.
- Onion: Roughly chop up the onion into large chunks. Once cooked down and tender, the onion absorbs the flavors of the seasoning, the juices, and the meat itself. So good! If you like more onion, add more onion to your liking.
- Avocado oil: This helps with browning the meat when it’s in the oven. It also moisture and keeps the seasoning sticking to the pork.
- Hot water: The Instant Pot needs liquid to pressure cook what’s inside. It helps with creating steam which is how the meat cooks so nicely without burning. If you want a little more liquid add more water.
How to Cook Pork Shoulder in Instant Pot
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the pork cubes, avocado oil, and all of the seasoning. Mix to combine until all pieces of pork are evenly coated.
Step 2: Transfer the pieces to a couple of baking sheets, arranging them in single layers, without overlapping. You want them to brown evenly.
Step 3: Bake them in a preheated 500F oven for 20 minutes on the middle rack.
Step 4: While the meat is browning, chop the onion and add it to the bottom of the Instant Pot.
Step 5: Remove the cubed pork from the oven and add them into the pressure cooker with the onions.
Step 6: To the baking sheets, pour in the hot water and use a wooden spoon to scrape off the burnt bits off the bottom of the baking sheet. Then, carefully pour it all over the pork and onions.
Step 7: Cover the Instant Pot with the lid and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Select the meat/stew mode and cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
Step 8: Quick release the pressure by using the end of a wooden spoon and carefully move the valve to venting. Keep your face and hands away from the pot and the hot splatter.
How Long to Cook Pork Shoulder in Instant Pot
This will depend on the size of your pork! Did you know that the altitude of where you live will also have an effect on how long you need to pressure cook something?
If you keep your pork shoulder in one whole piece, it will take longer to cook. You’ll need about 60 minutes with a 25-minute natural release. If you cut it into quarters, you will need about 40 minutes with a natural release of 15 minutes.
I like to use the meat/stew function to cook the cubes a lot faster in 25 minutes and with a quick release. If you leave it to naturally release you’ll still be ok!
Recipe Tips
- To save yourself some extra dishes to wash, you can brown the meat in batches using the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Once one batch is done, transfer it to a plate while you sear the rest.
- You can also brown them in a skillet first.
- To deglaze the baking sheet, instead of using water you can add a bit more flavor by using some homemade chicken stock instead.
- For thicker gravy, set the pot to sauté once again and add a cornstarch slurry to the pot. Stir until thicken.
- If you find the pork is still a bit tough, replace the lid and cook it under pressure for a little while longer. It usually means it’s undercooked.
Serving Suggestions
There are plenty of ways to serve this mouthwatering main! Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Sliced Cucumbers in Vinegar Dressing
To quick release pressure cooker - carefully turn the pressure release switch to the "Venting" position and let the steam release quickly.
Easy Braised Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4-6 lb boneless pork shoulder fat trimmed & cut into 2 inch pieces
- 1 ½ tablespoons Best Meat Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- 1 big onion chopped into big pieces, more if you like onion
- 1 cups hot water more if you want it to be more on a runny side
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 500F & get 2 baking sheets ready.
- Using a large bowl, combine 4lb of boneless pork shoulder pieces with 1 ½ tablespoons of Best Meat Seasoning, 3 tablespoons of avocado oil, 1 tablespoon of paprika, 2 teaspoons of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper & salt to taste. Mix until everything is combined.
- Spread meat over 2 baking sheets, try not to over crowd. Bake on a middle rack for about 20 minutes or until browned.
- Meanwhile, chop onion and add it to the bottom of the Instant Pot. After pork is done roasting, carefully place it in the Instant Pot.
- Next, add 1 cup of hot water to a baking sheet and scrape any browned bits, then pour it into the Instant Pot.
- Cover Instant Pot, select Meat/Stew mode and cook on high pressure for about 25 minutes. Quick Release Pressure. Serve Braised Pork Shoulder with rice and a Quick Cabbage Cucumber Salad. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If YOU are not using Instant Pot - after Step 3 - add ½ cup of water (more if needed) to each baking sheet with chopped onion, then cover and bake at 350F for about 1 ½ - 2 hours.
- Store left over braised pork in airtight container inside the fridge for 1-3 days.
- This braised pork shoulder tastes amazing next day - with sunny side up eggs, melted cheddar cheese and fresh avocado slices.
Nutrition
Q. Do YOU like this Pork Shoulder Instant Pot Recipe?
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This recipe is great! The leftovers make great bowls with added cucumber, Chick peas and a little garlic sauce. Definitely will make this over and over!
Thank you so much Lynda!Your leftovers sound amazing!
Made this with a small pork shoulder. It was delicious and so tender.
Thank you Amber! So happy to hear this!
Had a huge pork shoulder to use so we deboned and followed your instructions for the oven. I do not have many of the spices you recommended but it smells delish with what we used. House smells great!! it's in pressure cooker and I know this is going to be delish. Thank you for sharing the browning shortcut, much quicker than searing.