Instant Pot Pork Roast: A Recipe for a Quick, Delicious Dinner!

November 2, 2022
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Despite being a BBQ girl at heart, I use my Instant Pot when I want to whip up recipes quickly and with minimum hassle.

Although I was inspired by my smoked pork butt recipe, I tailored this Instant Pot pork roast recipe to suit the slow cooker and its particular method of cooking.

In this post, I will show you how to prepare a delicious pork roast with minimal hassle. Let's begin!

Instant Pot Pork Roast

Which Cut Of Pork Should You Use?

Before you move on to the recipe, we have to first discuss which cut of meat to use. Personally, I like to use either pork shoulder or pork butt.

As they tend to be rather tough cuts, the slow cooker is great for breaking down the tissue and fat.

I do prefer pork butt for a more tender pork roast. This cut has a lot more fat, ensuring that the meat is kept nice and moist throughout. I also find that the fat adds quite a bit of flavor as well.

However, if you are feeding a larger crowd, the shoulder may be the way to go as the lean meat can feed more people.

You should be aware that the terms pork shoulder and butt are used interchangeably but they aren't the same cut. The butt comes from higher up on the shoulder and has a more rectangular shape while the shoulder has a triangular shape to it.

I know that some people like to use a pork loin roast for this recipe but I would advise against it. This is the leanest cut of pork. As a result, it works best when cooked quickly at a higher temperature.

Pork loin doesn't work so well for slow cooking. However, you are always free to give it a shot.

The other question that you will need to answer is whether you should choose bone in or boneless pork roast.

If you want to make pulled pork then the boneless option makes sense. You will find it a lot easier to shred the meat with this cut.

On the other hand, bone in meat does maintain its moisture levels far better. I also find that the end result is quite a bit tastier.

Roasted Pork With White Rice

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Instant Pot Pork Roast Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2lb. of pork shoulder or pork butt
  • 4 tbs. of butter or olive oil, divided

Dry Rub

  • 4 tbs. of brown sugar
  • 2 tbs. of kosher salt
  • 1 tbs. of smoked paprika
  • 1.5 tsp. of black pepper
  • 1 tsp. of garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. of onion powder
  • 1 tsp. of cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. of cayenne pepper

Sauce

  • 1 cup of chicken broth or beef broth
  • tbs. of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbs. of cornstarch

Veggies

  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 2 carrots, cubed
  • 2 potatoes, cubed

Method

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients of the dry rub in a small bowl.

Sprinkle the rub onto the pork shoulder roast and press into the meat. Ensure that every part of the roast is coated in the rub.

Step 2

Plug in your Instant Pot and set it to the Sauté setting.

Add in 2 tablespoons of butter or oil to the pot.

When the oil is hot, add the garlic and the onions. Cook until fragrant.

Scoop out the garlic and onion but don't throw it away. Instead, keep it in a bowl - you will be using it later on.

Step 3

Add the remaining butter or olive oil to the pot.

Add the pork roast and sear on each side. Each side should be nicely browned.

Remove the pork from the Instant Pot.

Step 4

Pour the broth into the Instant Pot and use a spatula to scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.

Next, add the Worcestershire sauce, cooked garlic and onion, and the rosemary.

Step 5

Place the Instant Pot trivet on top of the liquid.

Place the pork roast on the trivet and seal the Instant Pot.

Set to manual high pressure and set the cook time to 60 minutes.

Step 6

Quick release the Instant Pot and add in the carrots and potatoes.

Seal the Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 3 minutes.

Step 7

Quick release the Instant Pot and remove the pork roast and the veggies from the pot. Scoop the rosemary out as well.

Mix some cornstarch with water in a bowl.

Add the cornstarch slurry to the pot and set to Sauté mode.

Whisk or stir until the sauce thickens enough so that it looks like gravy.

Turn the Instant Pot off.

Step 8

Slice or shred the pork roast and serve with the vegetables and sauce.

Roasted Ham Hock Pork

Should You Cook With A Frozen Pork Roast?

I know that, technically, you can cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot, I wouldn't recommend it.

Not only does this meat take longer to cook but the results aren't as satisfying. So, trust me, and do your taste buds a favor.

Let the pork roast defrost in the refrigerator first and then cook it.

Do You Need To Add Vegetables?

No, you actually don't have to add veggies if you don't want to.

I like to do this because you can make your main dish and sides all in one go. I also find that the veggies add some nice flavor to the meat.

You can skip these if you want to prepare a different set of side dishes.

Choosing The Dry Rub

As you can see, I have gone with a BBQ style dry rub for this Instant pot pork roast recipe. This is great for if you are making pulled pork.

If you prefer a more traditional pork roast, though, then you can skip the smoked paprika, cumin, and the cayenne.

Instead, you can use ingredients like cinnamon, dried oregano, and dried thyme instead.

In case you aren't sure what to go with, I would think about how you are serving the pork roast as well as what you are serving it with. This will give you a better idea of which flavors will work with this recipe.

Making The Sauce

I have made a sauce that is a lot more like gravy for this recipe. I have found this to work best with the ingredients that I was using in the dry rub.

You can choose either chicken or beef broth. I have found the chicken broth to be a little milder and to work better with the flavors of the pork.

If you would prefer a more stew-like pork roast, though, you can make the sauce a little richer, and even slightly sweeter.

A lot of people like to add red wine and even balsamic vinegar into the mix. If you are doing this, make sure to omit the Worcestershire sauce but keep the broth.

If you want, you can actually skip the final step. Instead, let the pork shoulder and vegetables sit in the juices until you slice and serve.

However, I do suggest making gravy as it is the perfect final touch for this dish.

A Person Pouring Gravy on Cooked Meat

How To Sauté With An Instant Pot?

Look for the Sauté button on your Instant Pot. Press this and wait for the display to read Hot.

When this happens pour in the oil and let the oil heat up before adding the rest of the ingredients.

When browning the meat, make sure to keep a close watch on it. If you let one side cook for too long you risk triggering the Burn message. When this happens, the Instant Pot will stop cooking and you will have to start all over again.

Try to cook each side for 2 to 3 minutes at a time for the best results.

How To Pressure Cook With An Instant Pot?

Before you pressure cook pork roast, I suggest that you read your manual. The instructions tend to be different for old and new models. Therefore, always check your manual to ensure that you are following the proper instructions.

For this recipe, I used the Quick Release method. It is best for you to use this method too as it prevents your pork roast from turning into a mushy mess.

For this function, you will either need to turn the steam handle release knob or press the steam release button depending on the model.

In some cases, the valve and the steam release may be a single mechanism. If so, use a spoon with a long handle to push the valve when changing from sealing to open. This is a good guarantee against burns.

Once all of the pressure has released from the Instant Pot, the float valve will come down and the lid will unlock.

Using Pressure Cook Mode

Start by closing the lid of the Instant Pot. Then, set it to sealing.

Next, press the Pressure Cook button. After this, set the timer to 60 minutes. It is then just a matter of waiting for the cooking cycle to come to an end.

How Long Do You Cook Pork In An Instant Pot?

According to the manufacturer, pork roast will cook at a rate of 15 minutes per pound.

As you will see in the recipe, though, I have set the timer to an hour. This is more suitable if you are making pulled pork.

Also, with a tough cut like pork shoulder, I like to err on the side of caution and cook the meat for a little longer. If you want a firmer cut then I would suggest cooking it according to the Instant Pot instructions.

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How To Make Instant Pot Pulled Pork?

Once the meat has had time to rest, set it aside, keeping it away from the sauce and vegetables.

Then, you can use two forks to shred the meat. Dig each fork into the flesh and pull in opposite directions. If you want this process to move more quickly, I would suggest using bear claws.

This is especially helpful when dealing with larger cuts.

Once all the meat has been shredded, serve with a side of sauce or gravy.

Stainless Steel Cooking Pot

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Cook a Pork Roast in My Instapot?

You will first need to brown the meat. Then, add liquid and flavorings and cook in Pressure Cooker mode until done.

2. How Long Does It Take to Cook 3 Pounds of Pork in Instant Pot?

Each pound of meat will cook in 15 to 20 minutes so 3lbs of pork will be done in around 45 minutes to an hour.

3. Why is My Pork Roast Tough in Instant Pot?

This may be because you haven't added enough liquid to the Instant Pot or because you haven't cooked the meat for long enough. Overcooking the meat can sometimes have the same effect too.

Wrapping It Up

This Instant Pot pork roast is going to completely change the way you think about Instant Pot recipes. Go ahead and give it a try today!

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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