Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

What is Pork Shoulder?

Pork Shoulder is the cut from a pig’s shoulder, though sometimes labeled as Pork Butt or Boston Butt.

You’ll usually see pork shoulder being sold as a big slab of meat with fat or fat cap. This fat adds flavor and keeps the meat tender as it cooks. It can also be sold bone-in, or boneless. 

Pork Shoulder is a great cut of pork to cook in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker because it’s a tough cut of meat that’s fatty and full of connective tissues.

So it’s super easy to cook as a whole or in chunks with a variety of recipes, and it’ll come out tender, juicy, and flavorful.

*Shopping Tip: Pork Shoulder (already an inexpensive cut) is usually quite a bit cheaper in Asian markets (often labeled as Pork Butt Meat or Char Siu Meat). So if you’re able to shop at an Asian market that sells fresh meat, you might want to check them out first.

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

Here are the few simple pantry ingredients for cooking Pork Shoulder in Instant Pot:

For best results, use a well-marbled piece of pork shoulder. We got this beautiful piece of pork shoulder from our local butcher. It was 3.2lb and exactly 4″ thick.

Brown Pork Shoulder

First, heat Instant Pot Pressure Cooker using the “Sauté More” function. Wait until the Instant Pot says “HOT”.

*Pro Tip: Make sure the Instant Pot is as hot as it can be in order to induce a Maillard reaction.

Pat dry the pork shoulder, then lightly season one side with coarse salt and black pepper.

Then, add 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter or olive oil in the inner pot, then ensure to coat the oil over the whole bottom of the pot.

Carefully place the seasoned side of pork shoulder in Instant Pot. Then, season the other side with salt and black pepper.

Brown one side for 5 minutes before flipping over, then brown the other side for another 5 minutes.

Finally, remove the browned pork shoulder, then set aside.

Saute Onion & Garlic

Now, add sliced onions in Instant Pot, then saute for 3 ½ minutes.

Then, add crushed garlic in Instant Pot, and saute for another minute. 

Add in 2 tsp (2.2g) dried rosemary & 2 bay leaves, then saute for another 30 seconds.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour in 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom with a wooden spoon. Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Pork Shoulder

Add 1 tbsp (15ml) regular soy sauce and ½ tsp (2.8g) table salt in Instant Pot, then give it a quick mix.

Then, place the pork shoulder into the cooking liquid.

*Pro Tip: If there is any meat juice, add that back in too!

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

• Pressure Cooking Method: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 60 minutes, then 15 minutes Natural Release

*Note: If you think 1 hour is too long, you can cut the pork shoulder into 2 inches cubes and reduce the cooking time to Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 40 minutes + 15 minutes natural release.

After 15 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning the Venting Knob to Venting position.

Remove the lid carefully.

Season & Thicken Sauce

Remove the pork shoulder and place it on a serving plate or chopping board.

Bring the sauce mixture to a simmer with the “Saute More” function.

Thicken Sauce: mix 2 tbsp (30g) cornstarch and 3 tbsp (45ml) cold water together, then stir the mixture into the onion sauce one third at a time until desired thickness.

Then, taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt (roughly 1 – 2 large pinch of salt).

Slice & Serve Instant Pot Pork Shoulder

Slice the pork shoulder into thin slices before serving.

Drizzle the Instant Pot Pork Shoulder with the tasty garlic butter onion sauce, then serve immediately. Enjoy 🙂

Time to cook Pork Shoulder in Instant Pot!

More Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Recipes You’ll Love

Instant Pot Pork Roast

Instant Pot Carnitas

Instant Pot Pulled Pork