Instant Pot Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a twist on the tomato-based bbq sauce pulled pork sandwich. Instead the tender shredded pork is coated with a mustard-based bbq sauce that is prevalent in South Carolina. A super easy recipe that can easily feed a hungry crowd.
Note: SLOW COOKER Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork recipe instructions are in the recipe card below.
Instant Pot Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork
I’ve been meaning to try a mustard based barbecue sauce for a long time! I have had it at restaurants before (and I loved it!) but have never made my own. I finally tried it the other day because I made a big batch of pulled pork (to eat now and freeze for later). I loved it! It’s different than the tomato based recipes that I’m used to but it’s so good nonetheless.
Mustard based barbecue sauce is tangy and zippy and tastes great on pulled pork sandwiches. Mustard based BBQ sauce origin goes back to heavy influences from the Germans living in South Carolina. I read that from 1730 into the 1750s, South Carolina recruited and even paid for the ocean passage for thousands of German families. The German families came with mustard in tow. “Carolina Gold” is thinned with vinegar and loaded up with spices for a zingy flavor. If you’re a fan of mustard you’ll be a fan of Carolina Gold BBQ Sauce!
Recipes notes:
Basically you’ll cook your cut of pork until it is tender. I used the pork carnitas meat that is sold at Winco. It is sliced thinner so I cooked it less time than a normal roast. You can also use pork butt, shoulder, picnic roast, blade or country style ribs with great success.
If you’re wanting to cook a pork loin roast for this recipe I suggest quartering it and cooking for much less time than a pork shoulder. It won’t be as tender and shreddable because it is so lean. I would suggest only cooking for 20 minutes (quartered roast) with a full natural pressure release for the Instant Pot or 4 hours on low in the Crockpot.
The Carolina gold BBQ sauce is good immediately after it’s made but even better the second or third day. If you can, make it in advance. I store mine in a mason jar in the refrigerator. It remains good for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Ways to serve Instant Pot Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork: I loved serving this pulled pork on soft hoagie buns. Some people love coleslaw on top of the sandwich. Another idea is to use this pork instead of chicken on my BBQ chicken flatbread! Yum!! This pork is also good on salads, rolled up in tortillas or lettuce wraps, over rice or plain straight out the pot.
More pulled pork recipes you’ll love…
Instant Pot Cafe Rio Sweet Pork
Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
Instant Pot Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes (plus NPR)
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Instant Pot Carolina Mustard BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a twist on the tomato-based bbq sauce pulled pork sandwich. Instead the tender shredded pork is coated with a mustard-based bbq sauce that is prevalent in South Carolina. A super easy recipe that can easily feed a hungry crowd.
Ingredients
For the pork:
- 3 1/2 lbs pork shoulder or butt roast (see note), trimmed of excess fat
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
For the Carolina mustard BBQ sauce:
- 3/4 cup yellow mustard
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp hot sauce
Instructions
- Quarter the pork and then place pork in bottom of Instant Pot or the slow cooker. Add in broth, liquid smoke and salt.
- For the Instant Pot: Cover and make sure valve is on “sealing.” Set the manual button for 70 minutes on high pressure. When the time is up let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Release any extra pressure by gently pushing the valve to “venting.” For the Slow Cooker: cover and cook on low for 8-12 hours, or until meat is very tender.
- While the pork is cooking make the BBQ sauce. Combine all BBQ sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use. Flavor gets better with time.
- Transfer the meat to a cutting board and shred with a fork. It should be ultra tender. Place pork in a large bowl.
- Drizzle desired amount of BBQ sauce over the pork and stir until it is coated.
- Pile pork onto buns and serve.
Notes
If you have a Winco near you try the pork carnitas meat that they often sell. It is usually inexpensive and cut into almost steak-like pieces. I cooked a huge package of it for 60 minutes (because it’s thinner than a roast) and it was completely tender. And there really isn’t fat to trim off.
I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. Make this in your 8 quart with no changes. Halve the ingredients for the 3 quart Instant Pot and keep the cooking time the same.
- Category: Pork
- Method: Instant Pot
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
How long would the sauce last in the fridge?
I’d say up to two weeks. I still have mine and it’s good after a week.
I cook for two, so could I halve the recipe.If so does the time stay the same. Thanks
Yes you can. Keep same cooking time: https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/how-to-halve-instant-pot-recipes/
This kind of sauce is only found in the central part of SC. One chain called Maurice’s popularized it in the Columbia area. Most people in SC prefer a ketchup and vinegar sauce, fyi.
Cool! Thanks for the info 😊
With a bone-in pork butt quartering would possibly be difficult. If you do not quarter the pork do you have to increase the cooking time?
Yes I would use 90 minutes plus full npr if it’s not cut up.