Get ready for this amazing Crispy Asian Pulled Pork Recipe! Think juicy pulled pork, super crispy, and loaded with tasty Asian vibes. Made in the Instant Pot or any pressure cooker, this pulled pork Asian style is an easy-to-make but unforgettable dish that will have you licking your bowl.
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Enjoy Crispy Asian Pulled Pork Instant Pot any time! Perfect for lunch in sandwiches, a flavorful dinner with rice or noodles, or even as a tasty addition to breakfast tacos.
Inspired by another great recipe, pair the Crispy Pulled Pork Asian style with these delicious sides. Enjoy Sweet Potato Glass Noodles, a spicy kick with Spicy Miso Noodles, and comforting Garlic Cheese Bread. These dishes create a perfect combination and balance of flavors for an unforgettable dining experience!
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Ingredients
- Pork butt/shoulder
- Onion, quartered
- Cloves of garlic, smashed
- Black peppercorns, smashed
- Avocado oil for searing
Sauce:
- Pineapple juice
- Soy sauce
- Sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
- Vegan oyster sauce
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Asian Pulled Pork
Prep the Pork:
- Begin by patting the cut of pork butt/shoulder dry with paper towels. This step ensures a better sear.
- Cut the pork into 3-inch cubes.
- Salt the pork all over.
Searing the Pork:
- Set your pressure cooker to sauté mode and add avocado oil.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully sear the pork on all sides until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Remove the pork from the pressure cooker and set it aside.
Infuse the Aromatics:
- In the same pressure cooker add the smashed garlic and black peppercorn paste. Sauté until they become fragrant.
- Add the quartered onion and saute for another 1 minute.
Add the Sauce:
- In the pressure cooker, add the pineapple juice, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well.
Pressure Cooking:
- Return the seared pork to the pressure cooker, placing it on top of the aromatics.
- Seal the pressure cooker and set it to high pressure for about 45 minutes, depending on your device.
Natural Release and Shredding:
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15-20 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the pork from the pressure cooker and shred it using two forks.
Crisping the Pork:
- For that irresistibly crispy texture, transfer the shredded pork to a hot pan and pan fry until crispy. Add the savory sauce to caramelize the pork.
- You can also use a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges become golden and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve it over brown rice or white rice, in bao buns, or noodles.
- I love it with pickled red onions.
Substitutions
- Pork Butt/Shoulder: Substitute with pork loin, pork chops, pork shoulder, pork tenderloin, pork sliders, pork roast, pork buns or a leaner cut if you prefer.
- Onion, Quartered: Use onion powder, teaspoon of red pepper flakes, or onion flakes as a substitute. Alternatively, you can use leeks or green onions for a milder flavor.
- Cloves of Garlic, Smashed: Replace with garlic powder or minced garlic. Use approximately ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder for each clove.
- Black Peppercorns, Smashed: Use ground black pepper or white pepper as an acceptable substitute. Use the same quantity as you would for smashed peppercorns.
- Avocado Oil for Searing: Substitute with vegetable oil, canola oil, or any other high-heat cooking oil.
Sauce:
- Pineapple Juice: Pineapple breaks it down and makes it super tender. Substitute with orange juice or apple juice for a fruity sweetness.
- Soy Sauce: Use tamari or coconut aminos as a gluten-free alternative. Light or low-sodium soy sauce, low sodium soy sauce, or fish sauce works as well.
- Sweet Soy Sauce (Kecap Manis): Mix equal parts soy sauce and brown sugar as a simple substitute. Alternatively, use hoisin sauce for a slightly different flavor.
- Vegan Oyster Sauce: Combine mushroom soy sauce with a touch of agave nectar for a vegan alternative.
- Brown Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar, coconut milk, maple syrup, or honey for sweetness.
- Sesame Oil: Use another nut oil like peanut oil, olive oil, or for a milder flavor, vegetable oil as a substitute.
Equipment
- Pressure Cooker such as Instant Pot or Our Place Dream Cooker
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Large skillet (optional)
- Baking tray (optional)
How to Store and Reheat Asian Pulled Pork
Storing Crispy Asian Pulled Pork:
- Refrigeration:
- Allow the crispy Asian flavors pulled pork to cool to room temperature.
- Store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.
- Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating Crispy Asian Pulled Pork:
- Oven:
- Preheat the oven to around 375°F (190°C).
- Place the pulled pork on a baking sheet, spreading it out for even heating.
- Reheat for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches the desired temperature. This helps retain crispiness.
- Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread the pulled pork in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Reheat for about 5-8 minutes until crispy, shaking the basket or stirring halfway through.
- Re-crisping:
- If the pulled pork loses its crispiness during storage, consider placing it under the broiler for a few minutes to restore its crunch.
Top tips
- The most important step. Sear the pork first to lock in flavor.
- You must sear the pork first. This helps with building the flavors of the pork.
- You must sear the pork first. This helps with building the flavors of the pork.
- How to get the perfect crispy but tender pork Asian Pulled Pork:
- For that irresistibly crispy texture, transfer the shredded pork to a hot pan and pan fry until crispy. Add the savory sauce to caramelize the pork.
Crispy Asian Pulled Pork - FAQ
Pulled pork can be improved with flavorful rubs, marinades, and sauces. Additionally, incorporating a mix of both lean and fatty cuts enhances the overall taste and tenderness.
Pork shoulder or pork butt is ideal for pulled pork due to its marbling and connective tissue, resulting in juicy and flavorful meat.
To fix dry pulled pork, add moisture by mixing in additional barbecue sauce, broth, or a combination of both. Alternatively, serve it with a flavorful sauce or coleslaw for added moisture and taste.
Other recipes like this
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What to serve with Asian Pulled Pork
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Asian Pulled Pork recipe:
- Rice
- Steamed veggies
- Bao buns
- Tacos
- Pickled red onions
Crispy Asian Pulled Pork
Get ready for this amazing Crispy Asian Pulled Pork Recipe! Think juicy pulled pork, super crispy, and loaded with tasty Asian vibes. Made in the Instant Pot or an pressure cooker, this easy to make but unforgettable dish will have you licking your bowl.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Pan frying time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: makes enough for 6 people
- Category: mains
- Method: pressure cooker instant pot
- Cuisine: asian
Ingredients
4 lbs pork butt/shoulder
1 onion, quartered
4 cloves of garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon black peppercorns, smashed
2 tablespoon avocado oil for searing
Sauce:
½ cup water
½ cup pineapple juice
¼ cup soy sauce
2 tablespoon dark soy sauce
3 tablespoon sweet soy sauce (kecap manis)
2 tablespoon vegan oyster sauce
3 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tbsp sesame oil
Instructions
Prep the Pork:
- Begin by patting the pork butt/shoulder dry with paper towels. This step ensures a better sear.
- Cut the pork into 3 inch cubes.
- Salt the pork all over.
Searing the Pork:
- Set your pressure cooker to sauté mode and add avocado oil.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully sear the pork on all sides until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Remove the pork from the pressure cooker and set it aside.
Infuse the Aromatics:
- In the same pressure cooker add the smashed garlic, peppercorn paste. Sauté until they become fragrant.
- Add the quartered onion and saute for another 1 minute.
Creating the Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine pineapple juice, soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, vegan oyster sauce, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
Pressure Cooking:
- Pour the prepared sauce over the pork, ensuring it's well-coated.
- Return the seared pork to the pressure cooker, placing it on top of the aromatics.
- Seal the pressure cooker and set it to high pressure for about 60 minutes, depending on your device.
Natural Release and Shredding:
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15-20 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the pork from the pressure cooker and shred it using two forks.
Crisping the Pork:
- For that irresistibly crispy texture, transfer the shredded pork to a hot pan and pan fry until crispy. Add the sauce to caramalized the pork.
- You can also use a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the edges become golden and crispy.
Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
The most important step. Sear the pork first to lock in flavor.
- You must sear the pork first. This helps with building the flavors of the pork.
How to get the perfect crispy but tender pork Asian Pulled Pork:
- For that irresistibly crispy texture, transfer the shredded pork to a hot pan and pan fry until crispy. Add the savory sauce to caramelize the pork.
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Clara says
Sauce really blends well with the pork love it.
Melody R says
I'll try this with your cauliflower rice recipe!
Katy Beloberk says
Made this yesterday!!!! The BEST Asian pork ever!!!! I have the same pressure cooker as you too!!! Just got it last week!!!
I told my daughter how fantastic this was and now she’s making today!!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!!!!!!!!
Carmen Spillette says
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am so honored that you made it.