Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sandwiches

What You Need to Make These Tender & Juicy Pork Sandwiches

🐖 Boneless Pork Shoulder: The key to making these tender and juicy sandwiches is the right cut of pork. I recommend using a boneless pork shoulder for this recipe.

Seasoning Blend: To season this pork, you’ll need a combination of coconut sugar, kosher salt, garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika, cumin, and ground black pepper. Yum!

🥑 Avocado Oil: I like using avocado oil, but any other healthy oil works just as well.

Rice Vinegar: Rice vinegar is tangy and adds just the right amount of sharpness to the pork and the slaw. This is truly the star of this dish, so don’t skip it!

Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds a deliciously rich flavor to these pork sandwiches.

Red & Green Cabbage: The combination of both red and green shredded cabbage makes for the perfect crunchy slaw!

🥕 Carrots: And of course, it wouldn’t be a slaw without the shredded carrots.

Sesame Oil: A little sesame oil adds a delicious flavor to this cabbage slaw.

Sesame Seeds: I love to finish off the slaw with a garnish of sesame seeds, for a little crunch and texture.

🍔 Brioche Buns: Brioche buns are light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, making them perfect to pair with the salty pulled pork.

Barbecue Sauce: And, of course, it’s not a pulled pork sandwich without the barbecue sauce. Pick your favorite and use it in this recipe!

A colorful cooking scene featuring sliced carrots on a wooden board, a bottle of rice vinegar, raw pork, spices, burger buns, shredded cabbage, various sauces, and seasonings placed on a green countertop. — To make these sandwiches, you will need boneless pork shoulder, seasonings, avocado oil, rice vinegar, chicken broth, red and green cabbage, carrots, sesame oil, sesame seeds, bricohe buns, and barbecue sauce.

A person pours liquid into a stainless steel pot with a dark brown mixture. Next to the pot is a white bowl filled with seasoned and cooked meat. Surrounding the area are jars, tongs, and various ingredients on a green marbled countertop. — Cut the pork shoulder into pieces and add them to a large bowl. with the seasonings and toss until the pork is coated in the seasoning blend. Then, prepare the Instant Pot. Turn it on to the sauté setting and add in the oil.

How to Make These Perfect Summertime Sandwiches

To make these sandwiches, start by preparing the pork. Cut the pork shoulder into pieces and add them to a large bowl. Next, add in the seasonings (the coconut sugar, kosher salt, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, and ground black pepper) and toss until the pork is coated in the seasoning blend. Then, prepare the Instant Pot. Turn it on to the sauté setting and add in the oil.

Once the pot is hot, add in the pork, 3 pieces at a time, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Then flip, and cook the pork for another 3-4 minutes. Once the pork is done, remove it from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a plate. Then, add in more pork and repeat until all of the pork has been cooked.

Raw, seasoned cuts of meat are displayed in two bowls on a green countertop. One bowl is metal and contains marinated meat submerged in oil, while the other ceramic bowl holds additional seasoned meat. Various spices and cooking utensils surround the bowls. — Add in the pork, 3 pieces at a time, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Then flip, and cook the pork for another 3-4 minutes. Then, add in more pork and repeat until all of the pork has been cooked.

A bowl filled with a colorful salad made of shredded purple and white cabbage, and thinly sliced carrots, topped with sesame seeds. Around the bowl are various ingredients like a bowl of sesame seeds, wooden cutlery, and shredded cabbage on a cutting board. — While the pork is cooking, prepare the slaw. Slice the carrot, shred the cabbage, and add them to a large bowl alongside the rest of the slaw ingredients. Toss to fully combine, then set aside

Next, scrape down the sides of the pot and add in the rice vinegar and chicken broth, as well as the cooked pork. Then, switch the Instant Pot to the “manual” cook setting and turn it on for 40 minutes.

While the pork is cooking, prepare the slaw. Slice the carrot, shred the cabbage, and add them to a large bowl alongside the rest of the slaw ingredients. Toss to fully combine, then set aside. Once the pork is done, allow the pot to release steam and transfer the cooked pork back to a plate and use a fork to shred it.
Finally, assemble the sandwiches. Divide the pork equally amongst the brioche buns. Top with barbecue sauce, followed by the slaw, then close the sandwiches, serve, and enjoy!

An overhead view of a dish filled with shredded pulled pork, accompanied by two forks. Surrounding the dish are a jar of barbecue sauce, two sandwich buns, and a plate of sliced carrots and purple cabbages in a salad. The table has a green, marble-like surface.

Once the pork is done, allow the pot to release steam and transfer the cooked pork back to a plate and use a fork to shred it. Finally, assemble the sandwiches. Divide the pork equally amongst the brioche buns. Top with barbecue sauce, followed by the slaw, then close the sandwiches, serve, and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different cut of pork?

I recommend using pork shoulder because it has good marbling for tenderness. However, you could also substitute with a boneless pork loin, but note that it may not be as juicy. If you do decide to use a pork loin, I recommend reducing the cook time by 10-15 minutes.

What kind of buns can I use?

I recommend using brioche buns! The slightly sweet taste of the brioche pairs beautifully with the pork. However, Hawaiian rolls are also a good option, or you can also use traditional hamburger buns!

Can I make the cabbage slaw ahead of time?

Yes! I recommend making the cabbage slaw no more than 24 hours ahead of time, to ensure that the cabbage doesn’t get soggy.

Can I use this pulled pork for other dishes?

Yes! You can add this pulled pork to your favorite tacos, burritos, or even on top of a baked potato!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim

Dairy Free/Nut Free