Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook a pork butt? Look no further than your Instant Pot!
This versatile kitchen appliance can help you create tender and flavorful pulled pork in no time. Whether you’re a seasoned Instant Pot user or a newbie, we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks for cooking the perfect pork butt.
From adjusting cooking times to freezing leftovers, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. So grab your Instant Pot and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook A Pork Butt In Instant Pot?
To start, you’ll need to prepare your pork butt. Trim any excess fat from the meat and cut it into pieces approximately 2-3 inches wide and 1 pound each. This will help ensure even cooking in the Instant Pot.
Next, mix together your desired dry rub ingredients in a large bowl and coat the pork pieces well. You can also refrigerate the pork overnight with the dry rub for even more flavor.
Add some oil to your Instant Pot and set it to sauté mode. Once hot, sear the pork pieces on each side for about 2 minutes each. Remove the pork and set it aside on a plate.
Deglaze the bottom of the pot with some chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Place the pork pieces back into the pot, spacing them out as best as possible. Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 60 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for about 15-20 minutes. Then remove the pork from the pot and shred it with two forks. You can add your favorite BBQ sauce or use the juice from the Instant Pot for added flavor.
Choosing The Right Pork Butt For Your Instant Pot
When it comes to choosing the right pork butt for your Instant Pot, it’s important to select a cut of meat that has enough fat to keep it juicy and tender during the cooking process. Pork shoulder or Boston Butt are great options because they are well-marbled with fat.
It’s important to avoid leaner cuts of meat, as they may not release enough juices and fat to keep the meat tender and flavorful. When shopping for pork butt, look for cuts that have visible marbling and fat.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to trim any excess fat from the meat before cooking to prevent the dish from becoming greasy. Cutting the pork into smaller pieces will also help ensure even cooking in the Instant Pot.
Finally, consider using a dry rub to add flavor to the pork before cooking. This can be done by mixing together your desired spices and coating the pork pieces well. Refrigerating the pork overnight with the dry rub can also help enhance its flavor.
By selecting the right cut of pork and preparing it properly, you can ensure that your Instant Pot pulled pork turns out juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Preparing The Pork Butt For Cooking
When preparing your pork butt for cooking in an Instant Pot, it’s important to trim any excess fat from the meat and cut it into evenly sized pieces. This will help ensure even cooking and prevent any undercooked or overcooked areas.
Once the pork is trimmed and cut, you can add your desired dry rub ingredients and coat the pork pieces well. For even more flavor, you can refrigerate the pork with the dry rub overnight.
When it’s time to cook, heat up some oil in your Instant Pot on sauté mode and sear the pork pieces on each side for about 2 minutes each. This will help lock in flavor and create a nice crust on the outside of the meat.
After searing, deglaze the bottom of the pot with some chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke. Place the pork pieces back into the pot, spacing them out as best as possible. Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to high pressure for 60 minutes.
Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for about 15-20 minutes. Then remove the pork from the pot and shred it with two forks. You can add your favorite BBQ sauce or use the juice from the Instant Pot for added flavor.
By following these simple steps, you can prepare your pork butt for cooking in an Instant Pot and create a delicious and flavorful meal in no time.
Seasoning Your Pork Butt For Optimal Flavor
To achieve maximum flavor in your pork butt, it’s important to season it properly. There are several ways to do this, including using a dry rub, brining, injecting or mopping.
For a dry rub, mix together a combination of sweet and spicy ingredients such as dark brown sugar, chili powder, cayenne powder, chipotle chili pepper, and smoked paprika. Apply the rub liberally to all sides of the pork pieces and refrigerate overnight for even more flavor.
If you prefer to brine your pork butt, create a liquid seasoning using water, kosher salt, and optional brown sugar, apple juice or cider, herbs or spices, and/or aromatics. Brine the pork for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours before cooking.
Injecting your pork butt with seasoned liquids can also add moisture and flavor. Common ingredients include apple juice, chicken stock, Worcestershire sauce, honey, finely-ground spices, and liquid fat. Use a large hypodermic-like needle to inject the liquid into the meat.
Mop sauces can also be used to keep the meat moist during cooking. A simple mop sauce can be made with beer or a mixture of chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and liquid smoke.
No matter which seasoning method you choose, be sure to follow proper cooking instructions for your Instant Pot to ensure a deliciously flavorful pork butt.
Setting Up Your Instant Pot For Cooking
Before you start cooking your pork butt in the Instant Pot, it’s important to set it up properly. First, make sure the inner pot is securely in place in the cooker base. Then, add any liquids or ingredients to the inner pot as per your recipe.
Next, lock the lid into place on the Instant Pot. You should hear a chime when the lid is properly closed. Make sure the pressure release valve is set to “sealing” to ensure that pressure builds up inside the pot.
To cook your pork butt, you’ll need to use the manual pressure setting. Press the “manual” button and use the plus and minus buttons to set the cook time to 60 minutes for a 1-pound piece of pork. Make sure the pressure level is set to high pressure.
Once you’ve set the time and pressure level, the Instant Pot will start building pressure. You’ll see a red button pop up on the lid when enough pressure has built up inside. At this point, the cook time will officially begin.
After the cooking time is up, allow for a natural pressure release for about 15-20 minutes before opening the lid. This will ensure that all of the pressure has been released from the pot and that it’s safe to open.
Once you’ve opened the lid, remove the pork from the pot and shred it with two forks. You can then add your favorite BBQ sauce or use the juice from the Instant Pot for added flavor.
Cooking Times And Temperature Guidelines
When cooking a 4 lb. pork butt that has been cut into pieces approximately 1 pound each, set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 60 minutes. For a natural pressure release, allow 15-20 minutes. If the pork butt is larger or smaller, as long as it is cut into pieces approximately 1 lb. each, there is no need to adjust the cooking time.
If cooking a frozen pork shoulder, add 5 minutes extra per pound of meat. For a 4 lb. frozen pork shoulder, cook for 90 minutes to ensure it is fall-apart tender.
It is important to note that the Instant Pot cooks based on the density of the pieces of food in the inner pot. If cooking a whole roast or larger/smaller pieces of pork, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
To get the most tender meat, use a natural pressure release (NPR) on your Instant Pot. This means that once the cooking time is done, do not turn or press the steam release valve. Simply wait for the pressure to naturally dissipate for about 15-20 minutes.
If you find that your pulled pork is cooked but not yet fork-tender, it will need to cook for longer. Return the pork to the Instant Pot, close the lid, and cook on high pressure for another 20 minutes. Allow for another natural pressure release (NPR), and then try to shred the pork again.
Natural Release Vs. Quick Release: Which Is Best?
When using an Instant Pot to cook pork butt, you have the option of natural release or quick release. Natural release means that you allow the pressure to dissipate on its own, while quick release means that you manually release the pressure by turning the valve.
Natural release is recommended 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 as it slowly cools down. It also helps to prevent any potential mess from foaming ingredients.
On the other hand, quick release can be used if you’re short on time or need to stop the cooking process immediately. However, it may result in tougher meat if not done properly.
If you’re unsure which method to use, it’s best to follow the recipe instructions. Some recipes may specifically call for one method over the other. However, if a recipe calls for quick release but you prefer natural release, you can still use the latter method but adjust the cook time accordingly.
In general, it’s recommended to use natural release when cooking pork butt in an Instant Pot for optimal tenderness and flavor. However, if you’re short on time or prefer a different method, feel free to experiment and see what works best for you.