Are you looking for a quick and easy way to cook pork butt that results in juicy, tender meat every time? Look no further than your Instant Pot!
This versatile kitchen appliance can take the guesswork out of cooking pork butt, whether you’re making pulled pork for a crowd or a savory pork roast for dinner. With a few simple steps and some helpful tips, you can create delicious, flavorful pork dishes that will have your family and friends asking for seconds.
In this article, we’ll show you how to cook pork butt in the Instant Pot, including cooking times, seasoning tips, and more. So grab your Instant Pot and let’s get started!
How To Cook Pork Butt In Instant Pot?
First, it’s important to note that the cooking time for pork butt in the Instant Pot will depend on the size and density of the meat. As a general rule, a 4 lb. pork butt that has been cut into pieces 2-3 inches wide and approximately 1 pound each should cook on High Pressure for 60 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, allow 15-20 minutes for a natural pressure release.
To prepare the pork butt for cooking, trim any excess fat from the meat and cut it into pieces if necessary. Then, season the meat with your preferred dry rub or spices. You can use a pre-made rub or create your own using ingredients like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cinnamon.
Next, add some liquid to the Instant Pot to help create steam and prevent the meat from drying out. You can use chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, or a combination of these liquids. Place the seasoned pork butt pieces directly into the liquid in the pot, spacing them out as best as possible.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the vent is set to sealing. Then, select High Pressure and set the cooking time according to the size of your pork butt pieces. Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release before opening the lid.
After removing the pork from the Instant Pot, you can shred it with two forks or meat claws and serve it as is or with your favorite BBQ sauce. If you prefer crispy pork, you can spread it out on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil it in the oven for a few minutes.
Choosing And Preparing The Pork Butt
Choosing the right pork butt is essential for a delicious and successful Instant Pot meal. Look for pork butt that has a bright red-pink color with a coarse grain and a smooth, firm, white fat cap. The meat should also have a good amount of fat marbling throughout, which is essential for flavor. Avoid meat that has a pale color or dark spots in the fat, as this indicates that it’s not fresh.
If the pork butt comes wrapped in Cryovac packaging, it may appear slightly purple due to the lack of oxygen. However, after several minutes of exposure to the air, it will regain its normal red-pink color. Make sure the packaging is tight on the meat and doesn’t have any air pockets, as this can affect the flavor.
To prepare the pork butt for cooking in the Instant Pot, trim any excess fat from the meat and cut it into pieces if necessary. Then, season the meat with your preferred dry rub or spices. You can use a pre-made rub or create your own using ingredients like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cinnamon.
Adding liquid to the Instant Pot is important to help create steam and prevent the meat from drying out. You can use chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, or a combination of these liquids. Place the seasoned pork butt pieces directly into the liquid in the pot, spacing them out as best as possible.
Once you’ve added the pork butt and liquid to the Instant Pot, secure the lid and make sure the vent is set to sealing. Select High Pressure and set the cooking time according to the size of your pork butt pieces. After cooking is complete, allow for a natural pressure release before opening the lid.
Finally, shred the pork butt with two forks or meat claws and serve it as is or with your favorite BBQ sauce. If you prefer crispy pork, you can spread it out on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil it in the oven for a few minutes. With these tips for choosing and preparing your pork butt, you’ll be able to create a delicious and tender meal in your Instant Pot.
Setting Up The Instant Pot For Cooking
Before you start cooking your pork butt in the Instant Pot, it’s important to properly set it up for cooking. First, make sure that the power cord is firmly connected to your Instant Pot and plug it into a power outlet in your wall. Then, place the stainless steel inner pot in the base unit and add 1-2 cups of liquid to the pot. For this recipe, you can use chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, or orange juice.
Check that the silicone sealing ring is fitted properly into the Instant Pot lid. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn it clockwise until it is in the closed position. Your Instant Pot will chime each time you close and open the lid (if the Instant Pot is plugged in). Turn the steam release valve to the “sealing” position.
Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button (depending on your model) and use the +/- buttons to set the cooking time according to the size of your pork butt pieces. For a 4 lb. pork butt cut into pieces 2-3 inches wide and approximately 1 pound each, set the cooking time for 60 minutes on High Pressure. Wait for 10 seconds and the Instant Pot display will say “On” and the cycle will begin.
The Instant Pot will take anywhere from 5-15 minutes to reach pressure. Once it reaches pressure, the float valve will pop up, the Instant Pot will beep once, and the cook time will begin to count down from 60 minutes. You might notice hissing sounds and some steam escaping from the steam release valve or float valve hole while the pressure builds – this is normal.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 15-20 minutes before opening the lid. Remove the pork butt from the Instant Pot and shred it with two forks or meat claws. Serve as is or with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Cooking The Pork Butt In The Instant Pot
To cook the pork butt in the Instant Pot, start by trimming any excess fat from the meat and cutting it into pieces if necessary. Then, season the meat with your preferred dry rub or spices.
Next, add some liquid to the Instant Pot to help create steam and prevent the meat from drying out. You can use chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, orange juice, or a combination of these liquids. Place the seasoned pork butt pieces directly into the liquid in the pot, spacing them out as best as possible.
Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the vent is set to sealing. Then, select High Pressure and set the cooking time according to the size of your pork butt pieces. As a general rule, a 4 lb. pork butt that has been cut into pieces 2-3 inches wide and approximately 1 pound each should cook on High Pressure for 60 minutes. Once it’s done cooking, allow 15-20 minutes for a natural pressure release.
It’s important to note that the Instant Pot cooks based on the density of the pieces of food in the inner pot. So if your roast is larger or smaller, as long as you cut it into pieces approximately 1 lb. each, you do not need to adjust the cooking time at all. However, if you cook your roast whole or cut it into larger or smaller pieces, you will need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Once the pressure has been released naturally and it’s safe to open the lid, carefully remove the pork from the Instant Pot using tongs or a slotted spoon. You can shred it with two forks or meat claws and serve it as is or with your favorite BBQ sauce. If you prefer crispy pork, you can spread it out on a foil-lined sheet pan and broil it in the oven for a few minutes.
Natural Release Vs. Quick Release
When using the Instant Pot to cook pork butt, you have two options for releasing the pressure: natural release and quick release. Natural release involves allowing the pressure to dissipate on its own over a period of time, while quick release involves manually releasing the pressure by turning the valve on top of the Instant Pot.
Natural release is best for foods that can continue to cook after the cycle is over, such as pork butt. This method allows the meat to relax and become more tender, resulting in a more flavorful and juicy final product. It also helps to prevent any messy foam from shooting out through the valve.
During a natural release, it’s important to remember that the cooking process will continue. Therefore, you should factor in this additional cooking time when determining your overall cook time. If a recipe calls for a quick release, you can use a natural release instead, but you should reduce the cook time accordingly.
On the other hand, quick release is best for foods that need to be served immediately or if you’re short on time. However, it’s important to be cautious when using this method, as releasing the pressure too quickly can cause hot steam and liquid to shoot out of the valve, which can be dangerous.
If you’re unsure which method to use, it’s generally recommended to opt for natural release unless you’re in a rush or your recipe specifically calls for a quick release. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try using both methods together for even more tender and flavorful pork butt. Simply allow the meat to rest under natural release for 10 minutes before doing a quick release to finish off the cooking process.
Shredding And Serving The Pork Butt
Once the pork butt is cooked and has had a chance to rest for a few minutes, it’s time to shred it. You can use two forks or meat claws to pull the meat apart into thin shreds. It’s important to note that the meat should be shredded while it’s still warm and not completely cooled. Shredding the pork when it’s warm will ensure that it’s easier to pull apart and will result in juicy, tender meat.
To shred the pork with two forks, place a piece of the cooked pork butt on a large cutting board. Use a large knife to cut the meat into large pieces. Then, insert two forks into a piece of meat and pull in opposite directions to get long, thin shreds. Repeat this process with the remaining pieces of meat until all of it has been shredded.
If you prefer using meat claws, hold one claw in each hand and pierce the meat with both claws. Pull the meat apart in opposite directions until it’s shredded to your desired consistency.
Once the pork is shredded, you can serve it as is or with your favorite BBQ sauce. Pulled pork is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, chili, stews, and more. You can also divide the shredded pork into shallow containers, cover them, and refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.