Chinese Pulled Pork: A Flavourful, Tender Twist on a Classic Dish
Experience the delicious fusion of sweet and savoury flavours with our Chinese Pulled Pork, made effortlessly using your Instant Pot. This dish combines tender, slow-cooked pork with a rich blend of Chinese-inspired seasonings, including soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, and garlic. The result is a succulent, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork that’s perfect for serving in a variety of dishes, from tacos and sandwiches to rice bowls or stir-fries.
A Perfect Blend of Chinese-Inspired Flavours
The secret to this dish lies in its unique combination of flavours. Soy sauce and hoisin sauce provide the perfect balance of salty and sweet, while garlic and ginger add aromatic depth. These ingredients work together, infusing the pork with rich, bold flavours that are a hallmark of Chinese cuisine. As the pork slow-cooks, it absorbs these seasonings, resulting in a mouthwatering dish that’s both comforting and packed with taste.
Effortless Cooking with the Instant Pot
Using the Instant Pot makes preparing Chinese Pulled Pork both quick and easy. The pressure cooking method locks in all the flavours and ensures that the pork is cooked to perfection in a fraction of the time compared to traditional slow cooking. As a result, the pork becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the rich, aromatic taste is beautifully enhanced. Once the pork is ready, simply shred it with a fork, and you’ll have a dish that’s ready to serve in minutes.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing
Whether you’re planning a weeknight dinner or preparing for a special gathering, Chinese Pulled Pork is a versatile and crowd-pleasing option. It pairs wonderfully with steamed buns, rice, or even a side of crisp vegetables. Additionally, this dish is perfect for meal prepping, as it can be enjoyed in numerous ways. Thanks to the Instant Pot, making this flavourful dish has never been easier, saving you time while delivering incredible taste.
Ingredients
- 1.4 kg pulled pork shoulder
- Salt & Pepper
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 240 ml water
- 120 ml soy sauce
- 60 ml Shaoxing wine
- 50 g brown sugar
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp cumin powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika powder
- 2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1 onion
- Thickener: 2 tbsp corn flour + 60ml water
Instructions
- Pat dry the pork with paper towels and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
- Add the sesame oil into the inner pot and turn on the SAUTE function. Once hot, add the pork and brown the edges, flipping it over to brown all sides.
- Transfer the browned pork to a plate and immediately add the 240ml water to the inner pot. Turn off saute and scrape off any brown bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon.
- Add the remaining ingredients, except for the thickener into the inner pot and stir to mix well.
- Transfer the cooked pork back into the Instant Pot and put on the lid.
- Select PRESSURE COOK on high for 1 hour.
- Once the program has finished, perform a quick pressure release, and remove the pork from the pot into a serving dish and use two forks to shred the pork.
- Select the SAUTE function again and bring the sauce to a boil. Whisk the corn flour and water together in a small bowl and add this to the pot, to thicken the sauce. Stir well. (If the sauce is still thin, you can make some more thickener and add a little more to your desired sauce thickness.
- Once ready, turn off the saute function and transfer the sauce on top of the shredded pork.
- Serve in bao buns (recipe can also be found in this cookbook) or with rice.