Instant Pot Carolina Pulled Pork

Using a small knife, make small cuts in the pork pieces. Stuff garlic clove halves into cuts, using 4 pieces of garlic per pork piece. Stir together paprika, chili powder, 2 teaspoons of the kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon of the pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture evenly over pork pieces, coating all sides.

Press “Saute” on an Instant Pot, and allow to heat 2 to 3 minutes. Add olive oil to hot insert of the Instant Pot, and place 2 pieces of coated pork to pot; cook, turning to brown all sides, about 4 minutes total. Transfer browned pieces to a plate, and repeat with remaining 2 pieces of prepared pork. Combine water and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar in a small bowl, stirring to dissolve sugar.

Add all pieces of browned pork back to Instant Pot, and add water-brown sugar mixture to pot. Press “Cancel” on Instant Pot. Place top on Instant Pot, locking into place, and setting the release valve to “Sealing” position. Set to “High Pressure” for 65 minutes. While pork cooks, stir together apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, crushed red pepper, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 cup brown sugar until salt and sugar dissolve.

Carefully release the pressure release valve, and let steam escape from pot. Open top, and remove pork pieces from liquid in Instant Pot, discarding liquid. Transfer pork to cutting board or plate, and shred with a fork or hands. Serve pork with vinegar sauce.