Easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork (keto, sugar-free)
Experience the simplicity of Instant Pot Pulled Pork, a great option for keto-friendly BBQ parties or easy meals and weeknight dinners.
Savor the juicy, tender delight on top of cauliflower rice or keto mashed potatoes, or go light with lettuce wraps and pickles.
Follow this foolproof recipe using basic ingredients like pork, onions, garlic, and flavorful seasonings.
Elevate your keto diet and low-carb meals effortlessly!
The recipe requires:
12 Ingredients
Active cooking time: 20 minutes
Total cooking time: 2 hours + brining time (10-24 hours)
Special equipment: Instant Pot/ electric pressure cooker
Table of Contents
Why you will love this!
Experience the joy of this great recipe of keto pulled pork:
- Keto-friendly and sugar-free
- Crowd-pleasing deliciousness
- Juicy, tender, and bursting with flavor amazing pulled pork
- A simple recipe that the entire family will love
- Perfect for a BBQ party
- Easy pulled pork recipe, no need for long time cooking
Instant Pot Pulled Pork Recipe
Ingredients
Yield: 5-7 servings
To make pulled pork you will need the following ingredients:
1.7-1.9 kg (3.75 lb/4 lb) boneless pork shoulder/pork butt/Boston butt
2 onions, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup water or broth
Spice Rub:
2.5-3 tsp. salt
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. smoked paprika (optional) or add more sweet paprika
3 tsp. garlic powder
0.5-1 tsp. ground black pepper
1-2 tsp. sweetener of your choice (erythritol/allulose/monk fruit) or brown sugar substitute
0.5-1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
+ 3/4 cup water or chicken broth
Optional add-ins:
0,5-1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. onion powder
Feel free to adjust the quantities of salt, sweetener, and other seasonings based on your liking.
Equipment
For this recipe you will need:
- Large cutting board and sharp knife
- Small bowl and fork/whisk
- Instant Pot for cooking
- Large frying pan + tongs to sear the meat
- Large container/ bowl for dry brining
- Baking sheet (optionally) to get the crispy meat edges
How to make Pulled Pork in Instant Pot
Step 1: Prepare the pork and rub seasoning.
Pat dry the pork with paper towels and cut each shoulder into 4 pieces. Place the meat in a large container or bowl.
In a small bowl, combine all the dry rub seasonings and mix well.
Step 2: Rub the pork and brine overnight.
Rub the pork with the spice mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Place it in the fridge in a sealed container overnight or for up to 24 hours. This is known as dry brining which helps enhance the flavors, but you can skip this step if your time is limited.
Step 3: Sear the sides, sauté onion & garlic
When ready to cook, let the pork sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Heat a tablespoon of ghee in a large pan, sear pork pieces from all sides, then remove and place in an instant pot bowl.
In the same pan, sauté diced onions until browned, add minced garlic, and sauté briefly. Add to the bowl with the meat.
Step 4: Instant pot (1.5 hours)
Add about ¾ cup of water/chicken broth to the instant pot with meat and onions. Close the lid, switch the steam release valve to sealing mode, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
The instant pot needs about 15 minutes to build up pressure before cooking. Allow natural pressure release for 20-30 minutes or use quick release after 10 minutes.
Step 5: Shred the meat.
Open the lid, remove the pork, and shred it on a cutting board with forks or meat claws. Reserve the liquid from the pot. Return the meat to the instant pot or other serving dish, adding the desired amount of reserved liquid.
Optionally, place the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 5-7 minutes to get crispy and caramelized edges.
Enjoy tender, juicy, and flavorful keto-pulled pork!
Serving ideas
Pulled pork is already a flavorful and satiating dish as it is. I suggest complimenting it with some fresh vegetables and pickles like this quick pickled red onions or enjoy it in lettuce wrap. Also, coleslaw or some sauerkraut will go perfectly with it. Another wonderful low-carb side dish is a bowl of cauliflower rice or keto mashed potatoes. And if you want to eat in BBQ style, try these keto buns and chaffles recipes to make pork sandwiches plus a homemade barbeque sauce!
FAQ
How to store leftover keto pulled pork?
Store leftover pork in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
How much pulled pork will I need for one person?
It depends on how you’re going to serve it. If with sides, then approximately 150-200 g (5-7 oz/0.3-0.5 lb) should be enough. In this case you will need about 230 g (8 oz/0.5 lb) of uncooked pork per person.
But if it is the main dish, consider increasing portions to 250-300 g (9-10 oz/0.5-0.6 lb). That means you will need about 400 g (14 oz/0.9 lb) of uncooked meat per person.
Pork is high in fat and protein, making it very satiating, so you will probably won’t need a lot. But it’s always better to have leftovers than leave people hungry.
Nutritional value
Total carbohydrate 6 g
Dietary fiber 1.5 g
Total sugars 2.1 g
Net carbs 4.5 g
Total fat 38 g
Saturated fat 12.1 g
Cholesterol 148 mg
Sodium 1407 mg
Potassium 111 mg
Disclaimer: The nutritional value provided is based on general information and should not be considered as a substitute for professional dietary advice or medical guidance. The values are derived from reputable sources, such as food databases or nutritional labels, but there may be variations in nutrient content depending on factors such as brand, preparation methods, and serving sizes.
More keto recipes to try:
Instant Pot Pulled Pork (keto, sugar-free)
Instant Pot Pulled Pork: a foolproof recipe delivering tender perfection—the star of your next BBQ party or a keto weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.7-1.9 kg (3.75 lb/4 lb) pork shoulder/pork butt/Boston butt
- 2 onions, diced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3/4 cup water/broth
Pork rub
- 2.5-3 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika (optional) or add more sweet paprika
- 3 tsp. garlic powder
- 0.5-1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1-2 tsp. sweetener of your choice (erythritol/allulose/monk fruit)
- 0.5-1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry with paper towels and cut each shoulder into 4 pieces. Place the meat in a large container or bowl. In a small bowl, combine all the rub seasonings and mix well.
- Rub the pork with the spices, ensuring it is fully coated. Place it in the fridge in a sealed container overnight (for up to 24 hours). This is known as dry brining which helps enhance the flavors, but you can skip this step if your time is limited.
- When ready to cook, remove the container from the fridge and let the pork sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Heat a tablespoon of ghee in a large pan, sear pork pieces from all sides, then remove and place in an instant pot bowl.
- In the same pan, sauté diced onions until browned, add minced garlic, and sauté briefly. Add to the bowl with the meat.
- When ready to cook, let the pork sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. Heat a tablespoon of ghee in a large pan, sear pork pieces from all sides, then remove and place in an instant pot bowl. In the same pan, sauté diced onions until browned, add minced garlic, and sauté briefly. Add to the pot.
- Add about ¾ cup of water/broth to the instant pot with meat and onions. Close the lid, switch to sealing mode, and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. The instant pot needs about 15 minutes to build up pressure before cooking. Allow natural release for 20-30 minutes or use quick release.
- Open the lid, remove the pork, and shred it on a cutting board with forks or meat claws. Reserve the liquid from the pot. Return the meat to the instant pot or other serving dish, adding the desired amount of reserved liquid.
- Optionally, place the shredded meat on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about 5-7 minutes to get crispy and caramelized edges.