Best Pulled Pork Over Rice Recipe

Introduction

Few dishes capture the essence of savory, slow-cooked comfort like pulled pork served over rice. This recipe transforms an everyday cut of pork into a succulent, flavorful masterpiece, nestled atop fluffy rice. The beauty lies in its ease—minimal prep, simple ingredients, and hands-off cooking. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family weeknights or gatherings, delivering melt-in-your-mouth bites without fuss.

What Makes Pulled Pork Over Rice Irresistible

Pulled pork is all about tender, shreddable meat infused with smoky, sweet, and tangy seasonings. When set over fresh-cooked rice, it’s a satisfying meal that balances richness with hearty texture. This version stands out for its streamlined process—no special barbecue smoker needed, just a few practical kitchen tools and your favorite slow-cooking method.

How to Prep, Season & Cook the Pork

Begin with a boneless pork shoulder or pork butt—the marbling ensures juicy, flavorful results. Generously season with a blend of brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to give your pork depth and subtle heat. For chopping onions or garlic with speed and precision, the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper is a handy time-saver.

Cooking the pork low and slow is key. For ultimate convenience and tenderness, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart or a traditional slow cooker are both excellent tools. If you prefer oven roasting, a sturdy cast iron skillet like the Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet works beautifully for browning and slow roasting.

Shredding & Serving: Making the Best Pulled Pork Over Rice

Once cooked, let the pork rest before shredding. For effortless, uniform shredding, try the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black. Mix the shredded meat with the pan juices or your favorite barbecue sauce for extra flavor.

Prepare steamed jasmine or long-grain white rice—using a high-quality saucepan or rice cooker can help achieve that perfect fluffy texture. Serve the pulled pork over generous spoonfuls of rice, ladling extra sauce on top for a rich finish.

Perfect Side Dishes and Serving Ideas

Balance this rich dish with crisp slaw, sautéed greens, or quick pickled vegetables. Leftovers are perfect for lunch—pack them in the Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green for easy, mess-free transport.

For casual serving at gatherings or potlucks, line your trays or sheet pans with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet to simplify cleanup.

Nutritional Information and Servings

This recipe serves about 6. Each portion (including rice) averages 450–500 calories, depending on pork-to-rice ratio and sauce use. The dish is high in protein, contains moderate fat, and delivers a filling meal that satisfies for hours.

Best Pulled Pork Over Rice Recipe (Recap)

Infused with classic flavors and foolproof texture, this pulled pork over rice is the ultimate comfort meal. It’s simple to make, easy to serve, and consistently wows a crowd—making it an essential dish to master for any occasion.

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, cumin, and black pepper.
2. Pat pork dry. Rub seasoning mixture over all sides.
3. Use the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to easily dice onion and mince garlic.
4. Place pork in your Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart or slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, chicken broth, barbecue sauce (if using), and apple cider vinegar.
5. Pressure cook on high for 60 minutes, or slow cook for 8 hours on low (or oven roast at 300°F for about 3 hours in a Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Pre-Seasoned Skillet, covered).
6. Let pork rest 10 minutes. Shred using the Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen or two forks. Mix with pan juices.
7. Serve over hot rice and garnish as desired.
8. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) for the freshest results.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes (pressure cooker) or 8 hours (slow cooker)

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes to 8 hours 20 minutes, depending on cooking method