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Pulled pork is a really versatile meal and one that always goes down well in my house with hungry boys. It is one of those meals that the leftovers can be better than the first meal as the flavour deepens. Of course the secret is to have delicious pulled pork to start with
I am going to share with you how to make pulled pork with an Instant Pot pressure cooker, as well as how to make our favourite pulled pork leftover recipes. They really are versatile and delicious – including our family favourite way of using leftover pulled pork: Dirty Fries!
The boneless pulled pork joint that I cooked this week will make three meals for four people. I will serve one on the day I make it (the buns), another that same week (the Dirty Fries) and then freeze the leftovers for a week when we are short of time but in need of some delicious food. It is such a cost-effective cut of meat that just keeps giving delicious family meals.
My Pulled Pork Instant Pot Recipe
I think everyone has their own way to cook pulled pork and mine has been developed through trial and error, but it really came into its own when I got an Instant Pot (but you can also use the oven). For a great pulled pork, the secret is time. It is traditionally a great budget family meal, as it is made from affordable boneless pork shoulder (my joint was under £5 and that will make at least three meals). You need the time to allow the meat to tenderise and for the fat to render.
I like to make my pulled pork with a simple rub, cooked in cider, then I add more flavours once it is pulled. Yes, pork and apple is the perfect combination and for our Pulled Pork Buns I make an amazing burger slaw with apples and capers.
I start by preparing my dry rub, which is smoked paprika, black peppercorns, salt and cumin with some brown I start by preparing my dry rub, which is smoked paprika, black peppercorns, salt and cumin with a little brown sugar. If you have time, then there is nothing wrong with applying the rub the night before and allowing it to marinate in the fridge.
If you are using a slow cooker for your pork then add two cups of cider and cook for as long as possible. I leave the fat on and then remove it at the end of the cooking process before I pull the meat.
I like to usI like to use both the pressure cooking function and slow cooker function of my Instant Pot, but you could just pressure cook and then you would have this on the table in under an hour and a half from start to finish!
One of the reasons I like pulled pork is it is one of those meals I can prepare and then forget about for the rest of the day. It works on the nights where we all have different meal times as it stays warm in the slow cooker. Plus it is so versatile. It is brilliant for dark nights as I know that I have put all the effort in and we have it to look forward to. Even better, it freezes really well. Our first meal is always pulled pork on soft white buns with homemade slaw.
Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 2.5 kg Pork Shoulder Joint
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp Brown sugar
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 Mugs Cider
- 1 Cup BBQ Sauce
Instructions
Mix together smoked paprika, ground cumin, pepper, brown sugar and salt. Rub over the pork. You can do this 25 hours before cooking it and leave in the fridge.
Put the pork in your Instant Pot or slow cooker fat-side up and pour in 2 medium mugfuls of cider.
If cooking in the Instant Pot, cook on high for 50 minutes and allow to lose pressure naturally.
For the slow cooker it needs eight hours on low or at least 4 hours on high.
Remove the meat from the dish.
Remove the fat, then shred the meat using two forks making sure that you remove any fatty bits of meat. Then skim any excess fat off the surface of the sauce in the Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Add smoky BBQ sauce to the sauce mix it in.
If desired, you can thicken the sauce with a cornstarch slurry
Then add the pulled pork until you are ready to eat.
Recipe Notes
- Leftover pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cooked pulled pork can also be frozen for up to 3 months, wrapped airtight.
- To reheat pulled pork, heat the pork and sauce together, covered, in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Or, you may place the pork and sauce in a microwave-safe dish and warm in your microwave.
We like to serve this with our burger slaw but with added shredded apple and soft white buns
Pulled Pork Leftover Recipes
Dirty Fries are a quick and easy pulled pork leftovers meal and the children love them. You can make these with your favourite frozen chips — skin-on, chunky, skinny or curly.
Loaded Pulled Pork Dirty Fries
These dirty fries are a meal in themselves with the added pulled pork and this recipe keeps things simple (no one wants to fuss with leftovers) with pre-grated cheese and frozen skin on oven fries plus your choice of toppings.
Ingredients
- 1 Bag Frozen Chips – I like skin on fries
- 120 grams reheated pulled pork
- 2 tbsp BBQ sauce or other desired sauce
- 250 grams Grated Cheese We used Cheddar and Red laicster
- 1 bunch Spring onions Finley Chopped
- 80 ml guacamole
- 80 ml sour cream
Instructions
Pre heat your oven to 220c fan
Cook your oven fries as per the instructions on the packet (we love an air fryer for this)
Meanwhile, reheat your pulled port – either in a saucepan with a lid or for 3 minutes in the microwave.
Tip your cooked fries into an ovenproof dish
Cover with your pulled pork and pour over the BBQ sauce
Add your cheese and spring onions
Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese has melted and gone all bubly
Top wih sour cream and guacamole
More Pulled Pork Leftovers Ideas
Leftover Pulled Pork Pizza – Instead of using a tomato topping for this pizza, you use a BBQ one and top the pizza with pulled pork, roasted red peppers, sweetcorn and plenty of mozzarella cheese. Check out the pizza recipe here andour pizza base recipe here.
Pulled Pork Quesadillas – Quesadillas are a go-to lunch at our home and this version with red and green peppers with pulled pork https://www.lovepork.co.uk/recipes/pork-quesadilla/ has my mouth watering.
Pulled Pork Stuffed Potato Skins – We are a fan of twice-cooked stuffed potatoes and I make a mean pulled pork version. Try this easy version of Pulled Pork Potato Skins. https://www.lovepork.co.uk/recipes/pulled-pork-potato-skins/
Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese – Unfortunately I am the only one in my house that loves Mac n Cheese but I love this Pulled pork version from Family Spice I have to have it all to myself.
Pulled Pork Enchiladas (Pork Carnitas) – Now I know that these are not technically Carnitas, but BBQ pulled pork makes an amazing enchilada and Recipe Tin Eats has a brilliant version that we really rate.
Leftover Pulled Pork Tacos – There is something about food that you eat with your hands. It brings everyone to the table and they can add the toppings they like best. It accommodates any fussy eaters. These Crunchy Pulled Pork Tacos – can be topped with guacamole and sour cream…or simply use whatever you might have in the fridge to adapt them. Or try these delicious Pulled Pork Tacos, made with soft tortillas.
Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese – One of our go-to lunches during winter is soup and grilled cheese and this Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese has my mouth watering just thinking about it. That is what is so great about pulled pork: It elevates a simple grilled cheese into something more.
This looks sooooooo good!
Oooo the pulled pork looks so good! I love how many things you can make with the leftovers – totally delicious!
I love the idea of potato skins! I need to try this!