All-American Pulled Pork
Here’s our standard recipe for pulled pork. We use smoked paprika to give the meat that characteristic “smoker” flavor, rather than a bottled barbecue sauce that can end up too sweet. Even without burnt ends, the flavor will be intense and sweet. Remove any big fatty blobs from the pork so that the sauce is not too greasy.
Servings Prep Time
8servings 10minutes
Cook Time
1hour
Servings Prep Time
8servings 10minutes
Cook Time
1hour
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2cups unsweetened apple cider
  • 2tbsp mild smoked paprika
  • 2tbsp dark brown sugar
  • 1tbsp standard chile powder
  • 1tsp ground dried mustard
  • 1tsp onion powder
  • 1tsp garlic powder
  • 1tsp table salt
  • 1/2tsp ground black pepper
  • 3lbs boneless pork shouldercut in half and any large chunks of fat removed
Instructions
  1. Pour the cider into cooker. Mix the smoked paprika, brown sugar, chile powder, dried mustard, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat and rub this mixture all over the pork. Set the meat in the cooker and lock the lid onto the pot.
  2. Option 1 – Max Pressure Cooker  
    Set the cooker to ‘Pressure Cooker’, on MAX level and set for 1 hour with the Keep Warm setting off.
  3. Option 2 – All Pressure Cookers  
    Set the cooker to ‘Meat/Stew or Pressure Cook (Manual)’ on High pressure for 1 hour and 20 minutes with the Keep Warm setting off.
  4. Option 3 – Slow Cook Option  
    Set the cooker to ‘Slow Cook’ on High for 5 hours with the Keep Warm setting off. (or on for no more than 4 hours)
  5. If you’ve used a pressure setting, once the machine has finished cooking, turn it off and allow its pressure to return to normal naturally, about 30 minutes.
  6. Unlatch the lid ad open the pot. Use a meat fork and a large, slotted spoon or a large spatula to transfer the pork to a nearby cutting board (or transfer hunks of the pork, should the thing come apart). Use a flatware tablespoon to skim any excess surface fat from the sauce.
  7. Press Saute and set the time for 10 minutes.
  8. Bring the sauce to a boil, stirring a few times. Cook until the sauce has reduced to about half its volume, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Meanwhile, shred the meat with two forks. When the sauce has reduced to the right consistency, turn off the SAUTE function and stir the shredded meat into the sauce in the pot. Set aside for 5 minutes with the lid on top but askew to blend the flavors and let the meat further absorb the sauce.
Recipe Notes

Beyond
• We prefer this pulled pork in slider buns, topped with lots of coleslaw.
• We also like it next to scrambled eggs for a weekend brunch.