This Whole30 Pulled Pork is extremely tender and flavorful.  It is melt in your mouth, fall off the bone delicious. This classic comfort food is usually a full day affair, but this Instant Pot Pulled Pork comes together in a fraction of the time.  It’s a great Whole30 dinner that the whole family will love.  

Whole30 pulled pork with BBQ sauce

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • This Paleo pulled pork is pure comfort food!
  • In addition to being easier than slow cooker pulled pork, this recipe comes together quickly.
  • This pork is incredibly tender and not dry.
  • Since this makes a large batch, it is great for meal prep and leftovers.
  • The apple cider vinegar adds the perfect touch of flavor.
  • This is significantly healthier than the Costco variety!
  • The simple seasonings allow the pork and BBQ sauce to shine.
  • Check out Slow Cooker Pulled Pork and Whole30 Pork Carnitas for more great recipes!
  • This recipe is Whole30 approved, Paleo, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Low Carb, Sugar Free and Keto Friendly.
Paleo pulled pork with BBQ sauce

Choosing the Right Cut of Meat

Pulled pork is an American barbecue meal that is typically slow cooked. Then, the meat is shredded manually before being mixed with BBQ sauce.

The key to a tender pulled pork is all in the cut of meat.  Using a bone in pork butt or pork shoulder with a little bit of fat is the way to go.  In addition, these cuts are always moist and so flavorful.  The leaner the cut of meat, the more it will tend to dry out after cooking. Bone in meat tends to yield a more tender result, whereas boneless pork is more dry.

Pork is easily shredded when it reaches 195 degrees Fahrenheit to 205 degrees Fahrenheit internally. If the meat is not easily shred with two forks, it is not done cooking.

Recipe ingredients

Recipe Steps

Step 1

Add olive oil to the Instant Pot and press Sauté.  Then, sauté pork in olive oil for 4 minutes on each side.

Instant Pot dinner

Step 2

Next, add remaining ingredients except BBQ sauce and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes.

Pressure cooker meat

Step 3

Once the timer has gone off, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.  Then, release the rest of the pressure manually.

Shredded pork in Instant Pot

Step 4

Lastly, shred the pork with two forks and mix in BBQ sauce. Serve Whole30 Pulled Pork!

Instant pot pulled pork

What to Serve with Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is extremely versatile and it pairs well with coleslaw, potatoes, vegetables and every backyard BBQ side dish. Use leftover Whole30 Pulled Pork to make these Whole30 Pulled Pork Nachos or add it to a salad.

For non Whole30 options, pulled pork is great in tacos, in burritos and with tortilla chips. In addition, pile on top of chili, hot dogs or even hamburgers.

I also love these Instant Pot Carnitas!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is pulled pork Whole30 approved?

This pulled pork recipe is Whole30 approved. Traditional pulled pork usually contains added sugar, and therefore is not considered compliant.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Yes! See my recipe for Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.

Is pulled pork Paleo?

Yes, pulled pork is Paleo. Using a sugar free BBQ sauce ensures that this is Paleo.

Is this considered Keto?

Use a sugar free BBQ sauce for Keto pulled pork.

What BBQ sauce is Whole30?

There are several great Whole30 BBQ sauces on the market. My two favorites are Primal Kitchen Foods and The New Primal.

Can I freeze this?

Yes, this pulled pork freezes and reheats well. Thaw before reheating in the microwave.

Can I use boneless pork instead?

Sure, but boneless pork typically yields a more dry result.

Can I make this without sauce?

Sure! This pulled pork is made without the sauce during cooking. If desired, do not add in BBQ sauce at the end.

Whole30 Paleo Pulled Pork on white plate

You May Also Like

If you make this recipe, I would love to see it! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, see my Whole30 Recipes page.

Sweet Addison's cookies
Whole30 pulled pork with BBQ sauce
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Get the Recipe: Whole30 Pulled Pork Instant Pot (Paleo)

This Whole30 Pulled Pork is easy, hearty and so tender. It is fall off the bone delicious! Pulled pork is so versatile and can be used in many ways. This is a recipe your whole family will love!
5 from 1 vote
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Ingredients

10 servings

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Instructions 

  • First, turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and set timer to 8 minutes.
  • Then, add olive oil and pork to the pot.
  • Sear on one side for 4 minutes. Then flip and sear another 4 minutes.
  • Press cancel. Add in all remaining ingredients except BBQ sauce.
  • Secure lid. Select pressure cook and set timer to 60 minutes.
  • Instant Pot usually takes 10 to 15 minutes to build pressure.
  • Once timer goes off, let natural release for 10 minutes. Then, use oven mitt to carefully move valve over to Vent.
  • Release the rest of the pressure.
  • Open lid carefully with oven mitts and discard all but ¼ cup of the liquid inside pot.
  • Using two forks, shred pork and mix in BBQ sauce.
  • Finally, serve.

Notes

  • For Whole30, use a Whole30 BBQ sauce.  My two favorites are Primal Kitchen Foods and The New Primal.
  • Searing the pork on both sides is optional, but gives the pork some nice color and texture.
  • Chicken broth can be replaced with beef broth or even water if needed.
  • Pork is done when it is easily pulled apart with two forks.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Calories: 320kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 34g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 109mg, Sodium: 498mg, Potassium: 715mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 66IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 39mg, Iron: 2mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

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