Instant Pot Pork Roast With a Classic Seasoning Rub

This delicious Instant Pot Pork Roast is brimming with flavor from a classic seasoning rub, a quick sear using the saute mode and then a pressure cook for a moist and tender easy dinner that is ready in under an hour.

Just like Sunday beef chuck pot roast is considered traditional American fare this pork recipe will fit that role nicely too. This recipe ranks up there as a dish the whole family will enjoy.

Jump to:

• 💭 What's To Love About This Recipe
• 🔪 Cooking Your Roast Perfectly
• 🌡️ Safe Storage Instructions
• 💭 More Tips
• 🥗 Side Dishes That Pair Well
• 📋 Recipe

💭 What's To Love About This Recipe

No Marinating. Quite often, making a pork shoulder roast requires marinating the pork 6 hours or longer. After rubbing in the seasoning, the pork roast is then covered and refrigerated. This timeline doesn't work for a weeknight dinner. The Instant Pot accomplishes the tenderizing and intensifying of flavors all while it's cooking.

Everyday Ingredients. The seasoning rub uses common pantry spices. Additionally, you need a pork roast, broth, and Worcestershire sauce. I buy my pork roasts when the price is reasonable or on sale and then freeze it until I'm ready to use it. Pork should is often less expensive then other cuts of meat for an added benefit.

Less Expensive Cut of Pork. Pork shoulder or, as it is sometimes called, pork butt, is the cut you want to use. A boneless pork roast will fit in the pot much easier than a bone-in roast. If there is a fat cap, you can leave it on or trim it off. I find it much easier to leave the fat cap on and cut it away after cooking. Put the pork fat side up in the pot. This will allow the fatty juices to add more flavor to the pork.

• Pork shoulder goes by several names at the grocery store including picnic roast, Boston butt, blade roast, and pork butt. Source: The National Pork Board

Easy Versatile Seasoning Rub. A mixture of garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, thyme, and allspice are all it takes for this richly flavored roast. If you like, you can make a larger batch of the seasoning rub. Tightly seal it in a jar and label it. Spices can be stored for a year or more.

🔪 Cooking Your Roast Perfectly

• Use Thawed Pork Shoulder. The best tasting pork roast comes from searing the pork before pressure cooking and rubbing the seasoning into the roast. Neither one of these is possible if the roast is frozen. If you have a frozen pork roast, thaw the pork roast ahead of time.
• Rub the Seasoning Into the Roast. Use cooking gloves to make the job much easier and less messy. Make sure to rub the seasoning all over the roast. Don't just sprinkle on the dry rub.
• Sear the Roast: Using the sauté function, brown the pork roast on all sides to lock in flavors. Browning the pork shoulder or pork butt in olive oil using the sauté setting is a great way to enhance its flavor before pressure cooking. Add broth and Worcestershire sauce to the pot, scraping up any browned bits at the bottom of the pot. 
• Pressure Cook: Cook the meat under high pressure for the time suited to the size of your roast, about 40 minutes for a 2 to 4 pound roast.  Utilizing the high pressure setting on the Instant Pot, this recipe transforms this cut of pork into a tender, juicy roast in a fraction of the time usually required.
• Use the Steam Rack. Place the pork roast on the top of the trivet above the liquids. This will retain the seasoning rub and not "boil" the pork.
• Natural Release: Let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally. A natural pressure release is crucial for keeping the roast moist and tender. A quick release will make for a drier and tougher roast.
• Use a meat thermometer to make sure your pork shoulder reaches an internal temperature of 170°F. If is is not, return the roast to the Instant Pot and continue cooking for a few more minutes. The temperature of the roast will rise 5 to 10 degrees while resting.
• Give It a Rest. Both the standing time in the pressure cooker and the resting time on the cutting board, force the juices back into the roast. These steps give the Instant Pot pork roast a moist and delicious interior.

🌡️ Safe Storage Instructions

• Leftovers. Store leftover pork roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the roast in the Instant Pot with a cup of beef broth or chicken broth and use the steam or reheat function. Leftovers can make excellent sandwiches or can be shredded for pulled pork.
• Fresh Pork. Raw pork can be covered tightly and refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.
• Frozen Pork. Frozen pork can be frozen for 4 to 12 months. If you plan on freezing it more than 2 months, cover the store packaging in freezer-safe paper, foil, or plastic bags. Always label your freezer items with Freezer Safe Labels that show date, quantity and what it is.
• Reheating Pork Roast. Place the steam rack (the one that came with your Instant Pot) inside the pot and add 1 cup of water to the pot. Place the Instant Pot pork roast leftovers in a heat-proof bowl on the rack. Close and lock the lid. Steam cook on high for 7 minutes. Check the roast and add more time if needed. The reheating time will depend on the size and thickness of the leftover roast.

💭 More Tips

• Turn your pork roast leftovers into pulled pork sandwiches, using this Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce or this Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce to stir into the pulled pork. Then serve the BBQ pulled pork on your favorite buns. This is the recipe that you often see with pork butt roast.
• Leftover roast can be shredded and used in tacos or sandwiches. Cook it in the Instant Pot for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to make it easier to shred. Add 1 cup of water to the pot, place the steam rack in the pot, place the leftover pork on the rack, and follow step 4 in the recipe card for the additional cooking time.

🥗 Side Dishes That Pair Well

This evenings pork roast recipe was served with roasted brussels sprouts and carrots as seen in the photographs here. You may want to try a side of mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans or roasted vegetables.

📋 Recipe