Tender Instant Pot root beer pulled pork is made entirely in the electric pressure cooker! This flavorful shredded pork makes a great barbecue sandwich.
Instant Pot root beer pulled pork is a simple but delicious recipe! This quick prep recipe takes just minutes to get into the Instant Pot.
The pork is incredibly tender and has lots of flavor. It makes great sandwiches, but don’t stop there! Mix it into mac and cheese or use it to make pulled pork pizza.
Ingredients
- Garlic powder: Be sure to use garlic powder, not salt.
- Onion powder: Make sure you use onion powder, not onion salt.
- Kosher salt: If using table salt, use half the amount of salt.
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Pork shoulder: A boneless pork butt also works.
- Onion: Yellow or white onion works well.
- Root beer: The root beer helps to make the pork tender and adds flavor.
- Vinegar: The vinegar helps to make the pork tender and the acidity adds balance.
- Liquid smoke: Liquid smoke adds a bit of smokiness to the pork. It’s optional but tasty.
- Barbecue sauce: Choose a barbecue sauce that you like.
How to make Instant Pot root beer pulled pork
Step 1: Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl.
Step 2: Add the pork pieces to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Step 3: Rub the pork with the seasoning mix.
Step 4: Add the onion around the pork pieces.
Step 5: Pour the 12 ounces of root beer, vinegar, and liquid smoke, if using, around the root beer into the inner pot.
Step 6: Close and lock the lid. Make sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing. Press manual high pressure and adjust the cooking time to 90 minutes.
Step 7: Once the cooking time has ended, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Then turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Step 8: Remove the pork from the inner pot and shred.
Step 9: Drain the cooking liquid, reserving 1 cup.
Step 10: Add the shredded pork back into the inner pot along with the cup of reserved cooking liquid. Pour in the barbecue sauce and 1/2 cup root beer. Stir to combine. Additional barbecue sauce or root beer to taste.
Recipe FAQs
You can! Diet soda or regular soda will work in this recipe.
Sure! Coke, Dr Pepper, or Pepsi all work well.
Absolutely! Adding some chili powder to the spice mixture and using a spicy barbecue sauce are easy ways to add some heat.
Serving suggestions
Pulled pork makes a great sandwich! Add some coleslaw on top of the pulled pork or served alongside for an easy and delicious meal.
Storage
Any leftover pulled pork should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pulled pork will keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
Instant Pot Root Beer Pulled Pork
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder cut into 6 pieces
- 1 cup diced white onion
- 12 ounces root beer
- 3 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup root beer
Instructions
- Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika in a small bowl.
- Add the pork pieces to the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Rub with the seasoning mix.
- Add the onion around the pork pieces.
- Pour the 12 ounces of root beer, vinegar, and liquid smoke, if using, around the root beer into the inner pot.
- Close and lock the lid. Make sure that the pressure release valve is set to sealing.
- Press manual high pressure and adjust the cooking time to 90 minutes.
- Once the cooking time has ended, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- Then turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the pork from the inner pot and shred.
- Drain the cooking liquid, reserving 1 cup.
- Add the shredded pork back into the inner pot along with the cup of reserved cooking liquid.
- Pour in the barbecue sauce and 1/2 cup root beer. Stir to combine.
- Additional barbecue sauce or root beer to taste.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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Did You Make This?
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I can’t wait to try this, but have an important question. You have said that diet sodas will work, but we have diabetics here, so will sugar-free work as well? And if so, does anyone have a particularly favorite brand of sugar-free root beer (or other soda flavor) that works better for such recipes?
Thanks, Kate, and Everyone!!
Hi! Are you looking at sodas like Olipop or Zevia? I’m not sure how the sweeteners in those sodas hold up to pressure, but I would guess that they should work. If the soda looks like it won’t work for you, you could try my (non-soda) pulled pork recipe. That one might work better for you!