Instant Pot Apple Cider Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Apple Cider Pulled Pork is a savory delight that transforms tender pork shoulder into a juicy meal infused with sweet and tangy apple cider. This one-pot recipe is perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prep, offering versatility in serving options—enjoy it on buns, over rice, or in tacos. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, this dish is sure to impress.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup fresh apple cider
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
- Set the Instant Pot to 'Sauté' mode. Add oil and sear the pork shoulder on all sides until golden brown (about 4-5 minutes per side).
- Remove the pork; sauté chopped onion and garlic in the pot for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in apple cider, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper; stir to combine the sauce.
- Return the pork shoulder to the pot, ensuring it's submerged in the sauce. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
- After cooking, let it naturally release pressure for 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining steam. Shred the pork using two forks right in the pot.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (120g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: - For enhanced flavor, consider marinating the pork overnight with spices. - Substitute apple cider with apple juice if necessary. - Customize your pulled pork by adding jalapeños or smoked paprika for an extra kick.