Ultimate Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Burger: Tender, Smoky Goodness in 90 Minutes

Easy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Burger

Introduction

If you’re looking for the ultimate sandwich experience that’s both convenient and brimming with bold flavor, this Easy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Burger is your answer. The Instant Pot transforms tough pork shoulder into tender, juicy perfection in a fraction of the time, while the tangy BBQ sauce infuses every bite with zesty, smoky richness. Whether you’re gearing up for a laid-back barbecue, a game day feast, or a simple family dinner, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd pleaser with minimal fuss.

Deliciously Unique Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Burger

What sets this pulled pork burger apart is the marriage of succulent, slow-cooked texture with quick preparation—all thanks to the Instant Pot. The pork shoulder is seasoned and pressure-cooked until it falls apart, then tossed in a bold BBQ sauce for maximum flavor. Served on soft buns with classic toppings like coleslaw or pickles, this burger delivers the satisfying textures and irresistible flavors that make it stand out at any table.

Preparing Flavorful Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot

By using the Instant Pot, you drastically cut down on cooking time without sacrificing tenderness or taste. Start by seasoning the pork with a blend of spices, then sear it directly in the pot for deeper flavor. Set it to pressure cook with a little broth and your favorite BBQ sauce. In about an hour, you’ll have pork that’s just as melt-in-your-mouth as a traditional slow-cooked version, but with far less wait.

Assembling Your BBQ Pulled Pork Burgers

After shredding the cooked pork, mix it thoroughly with fresh BBQ sauce. Pile the savory pork high onto toasted buns, then top each burger with creamy coleslaw or tangy pickles for a crunchy, refreshing contrast. Serve immediately for burgers that hit every note—tender, saucy, smoky, and perfectly balanced.

Serving Suggestions for Show-Stopping BBQ Pulled Pork Burgers

Take your presentation up a notch by offering extra sauce on the side and a basket of seasoned fries. Coleslaw, pickled red onions, or crispy fried shallots all make excellent toppings. For a lighter spin, serve the pulled pork over salad greens or in lettuce wraps.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 loaded pulled pork burgers. Each serving typically contains about 450-550 calories (based on pork, BBQ sauce, bun, and slaw), with plenty of protein and rich, bold barbecue flavor. Enjoy as a hearty main dish in a balanced weekly meal plan.

Easy Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Burger (Recap)

With classic smoky barbecue taste, melt-in-your-mouth pork, and a lightning-fast cooking method, this burger is a reliable favorite for any occasion. Using accessible ingredients and a convenient electric cooker, it brings together everything you love about a backyard BBQ in a weeknight-friendly recipe.

Ingredients

3 lbs boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), trimmed and cut into large chunks
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
1 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce (plus extra for serving)
6 soft burger buns
Coleslaw or dill pickle chips, for topping

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically create a categorized shopping list—sorted by store section—so you never forget an ingredient and streamline your meal planning for the week.

CookifyAI meal planning interface

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili powder (if using).
  2. Rub the spice blend all over the pork shoulder chunks.
  3. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and add a splash of oil. Brown the pork pieces on all sides (in batches if needed), then set aside.
  4. Pour the chicken broth into the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the pork to the pot and pour 1 cup of BBQ sauce over the meat (reserve ½ cup for after cooking).
  5. Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure.
  6. Remove pork to a large bowl, discard excess liquid, and shred the meat using two forks.
  7. Toss shredded pork with remaining ½ cup BBQ sauce (or to your taste).
  8. Serve pulled pork on toasted burger buns. Top with coleslaw or pickle chips as desired. Enjoy immediately!

Weekly Meal Planning

This BBQ Pulled Pork Burger recipe makes an ideal addition to your weekly meal rotation: it’s versatile, reheats well, and can be repurposed into tacos, wraps, or salads throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe in your meal planning app to generate smart grocery lists and see how it fits with your other planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Consolidates ingredient amounts across all weekly recipes
– Automatically groups items by store section for smoother shopping
– Helps minimize duplicates and avoid missed ingredients
– Streamlines batch cooking and leftovers for maximum meal efficiency

Pro tip: When planning several recipes featuring common ingredients (like buns or BBQ sauce), add them all to your calendar—the shopping list will total everything you need, reducing over-buying and cutting down on waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (includes browning and pressure cook)
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

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