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Cook meat for BBQ sandwiches, nachos, quesadillas or even pizza in a fraction of the time with this Crockpot Express Pulled Pork recipe!
We eat BBQ pulled pork sandwiches several times a month. Pork roasts are cheaper than beef, and it’s a meal my kids will gladly eat over and over.
Plus, we use the leftovers for other things like pulled pork nachos, quesadillas, and even pizza!
Since I’ve been experimenting with pressure cooking lately, I had to try Crockpot Express Pulled Pork. This one is definitely getting added to my favorite Crockpot Express Recipes!
Normally, I cook pork roasts in my slow cooker, but sometimes (more often than I care to admit) I forget to pull the meat out of the freezer in time. Or I have the meat thawed, but I just forget to actually put it in the slow cooker so it will be done in time.
That’s when the Crockpot Express comes in handy! <—-click there to see it on Amazon if you don’t already have one of these wonderful machines. I can cook a whole roast, even if it’s frozen solid, in one hour!
Liquid options for making pulled pork in a pressure cooker:
Remember, when pressure cooking, you always need at least 8 ounces of thin liquids to create steam and build pressure. Here are some options for cooking a pork roast in the Crockpot Express.
- water-easiest and cheapest, but not as much flavor
- BBQ sauce thinned down with water or broth
- chicken, beef or vegetable broth (my personal favorite for flavor)
- soda like root beer, Dr. Pepper or Coca-Cola
- orange juice and lime (if you’re making carnitas)
As you can see from the recipe card below, there’s a lot of different things you can do with a pork roast! To be totally honest, I still prefer the depth of flavor that you get from slow cooking a roast.
However, it’s not always possible to cook for 8 hours, so my Crockpot Express Pulled Pork is an awesome trick to have up my sleeve!
You can also pressure cook a frozen beef roast with great results. Check out this recipe for Instant Pot Frozen Roast.
Crockpot Express Pulled Pork
Ingredients
For just pulled pork
- 2-4 pounds pork shoulder or butt roast (boneless)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken stock
For BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
- 2 cups BBQ sauce divided
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
Instructions
- Cut the roast into equal sized pieces. A 2 pound roast can cook without being cut down, but a larger roast will cook better if cut in half or fourths.
- Rub with salt and pepper. If desired, brown the roast on Brown/Saute setting for about 3 minutes per side to deepen flavors. Press Start/Stop after browning is done.
- For plain pulled pork, pour in 1 cup of stock and then add the roast. Close and lock the lid, turning the steam release valve to closed.
- Cook on Meat/Stew (high pressure) for 60 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release of at least 15 minutes.
- Remove from the pot to a bowl and shred with two forks.
For BBQ pulled pork sandwiches
- Mix 1 cup of BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup of water and pour into the pot. Add the roast chunks. Close and lock the lid, turning the steam release valve to closed.
- Cook on Meat/Stew (high pressure) for 60 minutes. Allow a natural pressure release of at least 15 minutes. Remove from the pot to a bowl and shred with two forks. Stir in the remaining cup of BBQ sauce and serve on rolls or buns.
Notes
Nutrition
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Betsy says
I tried this with a defrosted 2lb pork shoulder (did not cut it into pieces), cooked on Meat/Stew (high pressure) for 60 minutes with a natural pressure release of 20 minutes, and it did not fall apart. The meat was still quite tough and I ended up having to cut it up into pieces instead of pulling it apart. Not sure if it was the meat that was the problem, or if I need more cooking time?
Nicole Burkholder says
Hmmm. It could have been a few things. Was it boneless? Bone in shoulder will take longer. Was it an old cut that had been in the freezer a long time? Pork shoulder lends itself more to slicing than shredding vs pork roast/sirloin. They are more fatty and tender.
Roger T. Groover says
This was the easiest and fastest I’ve ever cooked a boneless pork shoulder. About an hour and a half total time prep and 15 min cool down. I cubed 8#s and browned them before which probably took a little bit longer maybe. They fell apart! Bravo and cheers!
Nicole Burkholder says
I’ll never thaw/slow cook a pork roast again! 🙂
Jo Kaufmann says
I’ll be trying this recipe today. Every time I search for a Crock-Pot Express recipe, the best ones are always on your site. Thank you for making meals easier and tastier with your recipes.
Nicole Burkholder says
I hope you enjoy it!
Ann says
How long to cook an 8.5lb pork butt roast?
Nicole Burkholder says
First, make sure it will fit in your pot 🙂 For best results, though, you should cut it in half or even fourths. So, cut into chunks, you can cook for 60-90 minutes and do a full NPR (probably 30 minutes.)
Sharon says
Great recipe
Nicole Burkholder says
Thanks!
cj lewis says
Thank you for this recipe.. I received this model and wanted to know how to make pulled pork.. PERFECT TIMING!!! It came out just like I had hoped.. eeeeks! lol
Frances McDonald says
I just got a Crock Pot Express Pot and I have a Pork SHOULDER with bone in. It is about 5 lbs. 40 oz. How long would u cook it?
Nicole Burkholder says
Sorry for the late reply! I’ve been out of town for spring break. Did you find an answer to your question already?