Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or served over rice, this Instant Pot Asian Pulled Pork Recipe is a versatile and satisfying meal option for any day of the week.
Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add the oil. Once hot, add the pork and begin to sear the meat on all sides.
Once the pork shoulder is seared, add the ginger, garlic, and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes more.
Turn off the sauté function and add a splash of water to deglaze the Instant Pot liner. This will ensure the burn notice doesn’t come on from food getting stuck on the bottom of the pot. Pour in the remaining water, and add the chili sauce, soy sauce, and honey. once all the cooking liquid has been added, close the lid and seal the pressure valve.
Cook your Asian pulled pork at high pressure for 30 minutes. Naturally release the pork shoulder for ten minutes before performing a manual release. Manually release any remaining pressure and remove the pork shoulder from the Instant Pot.
Using forks, shred the pork and set aside. The pork shoulder or pork butt should be fall-apart tender and easy to shred. Drain the remaining liquid keeping ¾ cup and set the Instant Pot to sauté.
Mix the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water to create a slurry. Once the liquid is simmering, whisk in the slurry to thicken the liquid into a sauce. Return the pork to the Instant Pot and mix so that the sauce fully coats the pork.
Serve the Asian pulled pork with white rice, jasmine rice or brown rice and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
This is a great main course cuisine and the extremely tender pork makes it a versatile dish that can be served in a number of ways.
Notes
Sear the Pork First: Browning the pork in the Instant Pot on sauté mode adds so much flavor to the final dish. Don’t skip this step; it’s worth the extra few minutes!Use a Bold Sauce: Go for a sauce with soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, and a bit of ginger to get that rich, savory flavor. It’s the secret to giving your pork that irresistible Asian-inspired taste!Natural Release for Extra Tenderness: Letting the pressure release naturally after cooking keeps the meat super tender and juicy, making it perfect for shredding.