I know you’ve already heard about my great love affair with the Instant Pot. I’ve gone and on about the magic of this kitchen appliance and as summer is coming I’m even more excited to have a great way to cook without having to turn the oven on and heat up my house. But so many people are asking me-what are you actually making in it? Certainly a good (and easy) way to start is my Instant Pot Chipotle Black Bean Soup (it’s even vegan), but if that isn’t your jam-then may I recommend what we’ve been eating on repeat? Instant Pot Korean Inspired Pulled Pork. (I DID include instructions to make this in the Slow Cooker/Crock Pot as well-just scroll all the way to the bottom.)
Just to be clear-I don’t for a second think that this Instant Pot Korean Inspired Pulled Pork is actually authentic. I’ve never been to Korea and couldn’t tell you if this is a dish they would claim as their own. However, I can tell you my family has declared this one of their favorites. So maybe I should rename this Instant Pot Lane Inspired Pulled Pork. Or maybe not, just doesn’t have the same ring…
But what I CAN say about this pork is that it is sticky, saucy, and flavorful and that is a win in my house. Now I’m going to tell you, you can go from a 4 pound pork shoulder to this Korean Inspired Pulled Pork in just 90 minutes. Before I got my Instant Pot, I would not have believed you. I used to use my Crock Pot to make any pulled pork recipe (and you can use it to make this one if you so desire), but it would take 6-8 hours to get it tender. Or I would forget about it and overcook it. Instead, I can make this while picking up my son from school and have it on the table by dinner. Doesn’t get better than that, am I right?
PS-I do not get a dime for talking about the Instant Pot, I have no skin in this game (and neither does Holly)-but if anyone from Instant Pot is out there and wants to start giving us money we probably wouldn’t turn you down….(crickets….anyone?).
Truth is, I just want to make your dinnertime just a little bit easier.
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Instant Pot Korean Inspired Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 4 pound boneless pork shoulder trimmed and cut into 4 pieces
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup gochujang sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon lime zest
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- Rice for serving
- Optional garnishes: sliced green onions lime zest, sesame seeds, peanuts, poached egg
Instructions
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In a medium sized bowl combine garlic, soy sauce, gochujang sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, lime zest, lime juice and grated ginger to make a sauce.
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Press sauté button on the Instant Pot.
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Place pork into the Instant Pot and sear, turning pork every 2 minutes.
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Pour sauce over the pork in the Instant Pot.
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Press the manual button on the Instant Pot.
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Adjust time to 45 minutes.
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Press the start button and the Instant Pot will start coming to pressure (Will take approximately 10 minutes to get to pressure, and then will start a count down).
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When the Instant Pot beeps (after the 45 minutes have counted down), allow natural pressure release (this will go faster if you turn the Instant Pot off, but this is not necessary). Natural pressure release will take approximately 30 minutes.
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Remove pork from the Instant pot and pull with two forks. Add a few Tablespoons of sauce to keep pork moist.
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Press sauté button on Instant Pot.
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Reduce the sauce to desired thickness (I prefer my sauce thin so it soaks into the rice, but if you prefer your sauce thicker, combine 2 Tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to make a slurry, and then add to sauce while reducing.)
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Serve pork over rice and drizzle with sauce.
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Garnish with options listed above!
The leftover pork is amazing for breakfast (or any meal, really) with a poached egg sitting on top. Break the yolk and enjoy.
Last but not least. For those who haven’t jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet: this pork can also be made in a slow cooker. Make sauce as above. Sear pork in a skillet on the stovetop. Place pork into the slow cooker and pour sauce over the pork. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until pork is falling apart.
I have not tried an instant pot but I LOVE my slow cooker – this meal looks so tasty, keen to try it out.
I love my crockpot too, but my Instant Pot is amazing! Can’t wait to hear what you think!
I prepared your Spicy Korean pork in the instant pot and it turned out delicious.
Thank you,
Mabel
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks for leaving the comment, it really made my day today!
Can I use a pork tenderloin?
I’ve never used a pork tenderloin. It’s a much leaner cut of pork so I’m not sure how well it would work.
I got an instant pot for christmas last year…I haven’t used it much because I didn’t have any great recipes. I need to get on the band wagon, and your recipe is the place to start!
True confession: It took me 11 months to take mine out of the box. Now I use it constantly. Hope you love the recipe!
I had this problem, too. As soon as I realized how easy it was, I was making rice, baked potatoes, and the best meat ever! You can make your own sauces or use the recipes or if you’re feeling lazy grab a bottle of marinade and pour it over your meat and go.
Love my Instant pot! Used it yesterday to make mashed potatoes, yum!
Oh my gosh… This made my mouth water! So yummy.
Thanks 🙂
I, too, am in a passionate love affair with my Instant Pot. This one is definitely added to my list of recipes to try in it!
Yay! Team Instant Pot! I was amazed at everything I could do with it!
I love pulled pork and this recipe looks easy and delicious!! Saving it for later for sure! Thank you!
Super easy!
As soon as you said “sticky and saucy” I was ALL in!! Love these flavors and love my instant Pot.
Team Instant Pot! 🙂
Well, I know what I’m making next week!
I hope you love it! XOXO
I’m becoming convinced that the instant pot can do no wrong 😀 This looks divine!!
Right? I was skeptical, but I’ve become a believer!
One pot meals are so great for busy weeknights.
Especially for when the kids are going to opposite activities…which is always!
So much yes on this! I love this and am making it for sure.
Enjoy! I hope you love it!
This recipe will save me time in the week to come! Thank you, looks great!
Yay! We’re all about time-saving around here! XOXO
Your recipes always look so good, ladies!! I love pulled pork and have never used gochujang sauce so I will have to seek it out. I’m also bookmarking this to try when I get an Instant Pot soon. Yes, I could make it in my slow cooker, but I think this would be a yummy way to break it in, eh?
The Instant Pot is rapidly becoming my favorite kitchen too! Thanks so much for your kind words!
I love my Instant Pot and I love Korean flavours. This looks like a fabulous combination of the two!
Aren’t korean flavors the best? YUM!
Just wondering if this dish freezes well? Would love to batch cook it. Cooking at the moment and the smell of the sauce is divine!
I have to admit we’ve never had any leftovers-my in-laws always come over and eat it up when they here I am making it. That being said, I’ve had great luck freezing other pulled pork recipes so I don’t know why it wouldn’t work! Let us know how it goes.
gochujang sauce – is there more than one kind? I saw some at the store but it said chili sauce and when I looked it up online it said it was sweet and sour. It seems like a 1/2 cup is a lot of chili sauce. I ended up buying another Korean sweet and sour sauce then I added 1/8 cup of a Louisiana hot sauce. It’s in my IP now, hope I didn’t ruin it.
I’m not going to lie, I’m pretty curious as to how this turns out Gochujang is like a korean ketchup with a bit of a kick. You can get it in a lot of local grocery stores (Target included) or on amazon (I’ve used this one most frequently…the brand is Bibigo https://www.amazon.com/bibigo-Gochujang-Sauce-Sweet-Ounce/dp/B01EWVOSXW/ref=sr_1_6_m?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1521471092&sr=1-6&keywords=gochujang&th=1)
We’ve made this recipe many many times and its on the menu again tonight! Its a go-to favorite at our house. Super easy and so much flavor!
I’m so glad you like it!! Thanks for letting us know, it’s so nice to hear from you!
I just discovered pork shoulder and am making it quite often because it’s such a flavorful and affordable cut of meat during these Covid times. I loved how little prep time it took to put together and then set it and forget it in the instapot. My family loved it and we are excited to try it for breakfast with a poached egg. Great recipe! This one is going in my recipe folder.
So happy to hear that you and your family loved it. Happy cooking! xx
I don’t have a manual on my Instapot…am I missing something or do I just have a newer version. Really wanted to try this recipe. Thanks!
Manual is the same as pressure cook if you have that button. They have changed the tags on the buttons over the years!
Perfect. That’s what I was thinking. Thank you! I am almost done! : ) y’all are awesome. Thanks!
My first try and it was the hit. Thank you
Do you any oil when you sear the pork and don’t you need to deglaze the pot so you won’t get a burn n notice?
Congratulations good keep it up !! great job Thanks !!