Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pulled pork infused with bold Caribbean spices, cooked quickly in the Instant Pot and perfect for sandwiches or rice bowls. This caribbean-inspired pork ready in about 95 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 3-inch chunks, olive oil, large yellow onion, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add 2 tbsp olive oil and when hot, brown 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 small minced scotch bonnet pepper (optional). Cook spices for 1 minute.
  4. Step 4: Return pork to the pot. Add 1 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, and 1 cup water. Stir gently.
  5. Step 5: Seal lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Return shredded pork to the pot and stir to coat with juices before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Instant Pot Caribbean-Style Pulled Pork?

Caribbean pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes