How Long To Cook Pork Roast With Sauerkraut

instant pot pork roast

This Instant Pot Pork Roast Recipe is a simple way to cook a pork roast that is flavorful and tender in a fraction of the time.

>> You might also like this Instant Pot Pork & Sauerkraut or Instant Pot Turkey Breast.

FREE WEEKLY RECIPES & COOKBOOK

Signup to receive free weekly recipes and get a FREE Instant Pot downloadable cookbook.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our email list. We'll send your free cookbook as soon as you've verified your email address.

The Instant Pot is an incredible tool in the kitchen for making dishes that usually take a long time. In the pressure cooker, you can drastically cut down the cooking time for dishes like this tender pork roast.

The best thing about this pork roast is that it goes with just about any side dish you want to serve, so you don't have to put a lot of thought into what to make for dinner.

Which Cut of Pork to Use

There are a few different cuts of pork that make a good pork roast. You can use pork shoulder (also called pork butt), pork leg, or loin.

Pork Shoulder

I cook a LOT of pork shoulder in the instant pot, for things like carnitas or pulled pork – great for pulled pork gnocchi, that benefit from slow cooking. It turns out so tender and falls apart easily to shred it.

Pork Leg

When I'm making a pork roast that I want to be able to slice and serve with a side dish, I typically use pork leg. I mostly find pork leg weighing around 2-4 lbs, which fits nicely in the 6 – 8 qt Instant Pot and feeds around 4-8 people.

Pork leg turns out in one large pieces of meat, while pork shoulder tends to be more marbled. That's what makes it so great for pulled pork.

The pork leg roast pictured above is a 3 pound roast that is about 5 inches thick. a 3 lb roast will cook in 90 minutes in the Instant Pot.

Pork Loin

Pork loin is the leanest cut of meat and doesn't have much fat. It's also usually sold in smaller roasts that are thinner. Thus, a pork loin will cook a lot faster in the Instant Pot. Overcooking can quickly lead to dry pork. That's why I mostly avoid this cut.

Pork chops are a quick and easy weeknight meal.

Why Use An Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot drastically cuts down the cooking time for cuts of meat that usually have to cook slowly for a long time in order to become tender. And there are many accessories you can use with it to cook in lots of different styles. It's one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy.

The Instant Pot is an incredible tool in the kitchen for making dishes that usually take a long time. If you don't have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. You can also read up on how to use it, in case you're not sure if it's for you.

Don't Have an Instant Pot Yet? This guide can help you choose the right one.
See reviews and prices for Instant Pots on Amazon.
Learn how to use your Instant Pot.
Click to find more recipes to make in your Instant Pot.

Preparing the Pork Roast

Pork roasts generally come tied up or covered with a string netting. This is to keep the meat together in one piece while it cooks. I usually remove all of that, so I can remove the skin and fat cap. Then if the meat isn't in one solid piece, I'll tie it a couple of times with string to keep it together.

I find that pork shoulder is the one that needs to be tied up. Pork leg generally stays in one piece.

In most cases, the roast will come with a large fat cap and the skin left on. I like to remove those when cooking in the Instant Pot. If you were to cook this roast in the oven, it would have time for the fat to render and the skin to crisp up, but that doesn't happen in the Instant Pot.

So grab a large knife and carefully cut the skin and fat away from the meat, trying not to cut into the meat. It's better to leave on a little extra fat, which will help with moistness and flavor.

Adding Salt & Pepper

For a typical pork roast, the only flavoring that it really needs is salt and pepper. I use a mixture of coarsely ground kosher salt and black pepper. It takes about 1 1/2 tsp of each for a total of 3 teaspoons to coat the entire pork well. Be sure to use it all because it does need it.

Pat the pork dry before putting on the seasoning. Get it into all the little nooks. Then let is sit for about 5 minutes.

How to Make a Pork Roast in the Instant Pot

1. Sear the Pork

Start by searing the pork on all sides. This will give the pork a nice browned and flavorful crust.

I sear the pork directly in the Instant Pot on saute mode in olive oil. Once it's browned, about 3 minutes per side, I remove it from the pot and turn off the machine.

Be aware that the dry rub will begin to burn on the bottom of the Instant Pot if you take too long with this step. It should just take about 6 minutes. If the rub is starting to burn on the bottom, remove the roast and add more oil to the pot.

As soon as the pork is mostly browned, turn off saute mode. It will remain hot enough to finish the sear.

Remove the roast once it's browned.

2. Cooking the Pork Roast

There will be some browned bits on the bottom of the pot from searing the pork. You need to get that up before cooking. Add the water to the pot and use a whisk to scrape the bits up.

This adds great flavor to the broth, which will be used later to make the gravy.

Close the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook for 45 minutes. This is perfect for a 3 lb roast.

The length of time you need to cook the pork for will vary depending on the size of your roast. It is recommended that you cook a boneless pork roast for 15 minutes per pound in the Instant Pot. Cooking it this long will lead to a sliceable roast, not a fork tender roast.

After the time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release the rest of the pressure.

The Instant Pot is a wonder for cooking any kind or cut of meat. Try this Venison Roast with Potatoes or this Beef Brisket.

2. Slice It Up and Serve It

Take the pork out of the Instant Pot and let it rest a few minutes. Then slice it into pieces, or serve it on a platter to be sliced at the table.

I like to make gravy from the broth left over in the Instant Pot. You can do that right in the pot – no need to use a separate pan. It's incredibly flavorful and makes a really great gravy.

First, check the level of fat in the broth. If there's a large layer of fat on the top of the broth, strain it off first. You don't want greasy gravy! Turn the saute mode back on. Once the liquid is boiling, add a slurry of cornstarch (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp cold water). Whisk it until it's thickened.

What to Serve With Pork Roast

There are so many great side dishes you can serve with pork roast. Try these Instant Pot potatoes and carrots, baked potatoes, or mashed potatoes. We also like to serve it with Corn on the Cob or Baked Beans.

Like this recipe? We'd love for you to share it on your Pinterest boards! Click to follow our Pinterest boards so you can find all our recipes! You can also find us on Facebook!

pork roast

Instant Pot Pork Roast

This Instant Pot Pork Roast is a quick and easy way to do dinner, resulting in a perfectly cooked roast without the slow cooker.

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Pressurizing Time 20 mins

Total Time 1 hr 10 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 249 kcal

Instant Pot

3 pound pork roast
1 tablespoon cooking oil
1 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

For the gravy

2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water

Trim the roast to remove skin and top fat, if necessary. Pat dry.
Mix the salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning all over the pork.
Turn on saute mode on the Instant Pot. Add the cooking oil to the pot. When hot, add the pork roast and brown on top and bottom. Turn off the Instant Pot and remove the roast.
Add the water and whisk any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Lay the pork roast in the water.
Lock the lid and set the valve to sealing. Press the pressure cook button and set the cook time to 45 minutes.
When the cooking cycle is finished, allow the pot to depressurize naturally for 10 minutes, then move the valve to venting to release the remaining pressure.
To make the gravy, first skim excess oil from the top of the broth in the Instant Pot. Make a cornstarch slurry by adding the cornstarch to cold water. Turn on saute mode. When the liquid is boiling, add the cornstarch slurry and whisk until thickened.
Slice the roast and serve with gravy and your favorite side dish.

A smaller roast will take less time to cook. As a rule of thumb, cook for 15 minutes per pound.
When making gravy, do not leave the saute mode on for too long. It can get too hot and burn the gravy.

Calories: 249 kcal Carbohydrates: 2 g Protein: 38 g Fat: 9 g Saturated Fat: 2 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 107 mg Sodium: 521 mg Potassium: 641 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 1 g Vitamin A: 2 IU Calcium: 11 mg Iron: 1 mg

Let us know how it was!

INTRODUCING THE NEW

Instant Pot Pro Smart Multi Cooker

A fully connected multi-cooker you can wirelessly control through the Instant Brands Connect app.

🥧 If you're interested in more great recipes, I share all my favorite recipes over at A Food Lover's Kitchen, and you'll find air fryer recipes at Air Fry Anytime, and cocktails and drinks at Savored Sips. Check it out today!

PIN IT FOR LATER