Instant Pot Pork Shoulder in HK Tomato Sauce

We’ve been having so much fun with the Cha Chaan Teng 港式茶餐廳 (Hong Kong style cafes) series, as we recreate some of our favorite comfort food from home in our Instant Pot Pressure Cookers!

Tasting the delicious flavors of home, recollecting & laughing about our memories and childhood…

But what gives us the most joy are messages we receive from our dear readers:

“The authentic Hong Kong style tomato sauce pork chop on rice! Super delicious, just like those from the cafes in HK Thank you! My daughter and husband love it!” – Annie C.

“I made this for dinner last week, and it was a hit with the family! Thank you so much for this blog and recreating all the comfort food from my youth, but now so much easier to cook in the Instant pot!” – Junie

This addictive & flavorful Hong Kong Style Tomato Sauce has always been one of my favorite sauces from childhood.

The balance of sweet, savory, sour, umami flavors are so comforting & satisfying to eat.

So, we’ve decided to add a little twist to our beloved Instant Pot Pork Chops in HK Tomato Sauce Recipe and turn it into a whole meal deal done in an hour!!

YES! That means Pork + Rice done in the same pot at the same time! 😀

Time for cooking Instant Pot HK Tomato Pork Shoulder!

Step-by-Step Guide: Instant Pot HK Tomato Pork Shoulder

Tools for Instant Pot HK Tomato Pork Shoulder

• Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker
• Stainless Steel Steaming Rack Stand
• Stainless Steel Bowl

Preparation

First prepare the onion, shallot, garlic, and mushrooms.

Preheat Instant Pot

Heat up your Instant Pot by pressing the Sauté button and click the Adjust button to go to Sauté More function.

Wait until the indicator says HOT.

Brown Pork Shoulder Meat

Generously season the pork shoulder meat with kosher salt & ground black pepper.

Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) of peanut oil in the pot. Ensure to coat the oil over the whole bottom of the pot.

Add in the seasoned pork shoulder meat, then let it brown for exactly 5 minutes on each side (don’t need to keep flipping the meat).

Remove and set aside to rest for 5 minutes on a chopping board.

Create HK Tomato Sauce

While the pork shoulder is browning in the Instant Pot, mix all HK Tomato Sauce’s ingredients together.

Sauté Onion, Shallot, Garlic, and Mushrooms

Add 1 tbsp of peanut oil if necessary.

Add in the sliced onions, diced shallot and stir.

Add a pinch of kosher salt and ground black pepper to season if you like. Cook the onions and shallot for roughly 1 minute until soften.

Then, add garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add in the mushrooms and cook for another minute.

Taste seasoning and adjust with more kosher salt and ground black pepper if necessary.

Cut Pork Shoulder Meat

While the mushrooms are sautéing in the pressure cooker, cut the pork shoulder meat into 0.5” thick slices.

Why Cut The Pork Shoulder in Slices?

This allows the pork shoulder meat to cook perfectly and reduce the cooking time by about 30 – 50 minutes, depending on the original thickness.

Deglaze

Pour 1/2 cup (125ml) HK Tomato Sauce mixture in the Instant Pot.

Deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pan and mix them into the sauce.

Pressure Cook Pork Shoulder & Rice

Add the sliced pork shoulder meat with all the meat juice in the pressure cooker.

Pour in the remaining sauce mixture.

Add a tall rack in the Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker.

Then, place a stainless steel bowl filled with 230g Jasmine rice and 250ml cold water.

*Pro Tip: If you rinse the rice before cooking, be sure to drain well and ensure the water-to-rice ratio is accurate. (Roughly reduce 3 tablespoons from the 1 cup of water)

Close lid and pressure cook at

• Pressure Cooking Method: High Pressure for 6 minutes + 10 minutes Natural Release.

Then, release the remaining pressure. Open the lid carefully.

Set aside cooked rice and rack.

Taste & Thicken Tomato Sauce

Add frozen mixed vegetables into the Instant Pot. They will warm up in 30 seconds.

Press Cancel button, then Sauté button to heat up the sauce.

Taste the seasoning one more time. Add more salt and pepper if desired.

In a small mixing bowl, mix cornstarch with water and mix it into the HK Tomato Sauce one third at a time until desired thickness.

Serve Instant Pot Pork Shoulder in HK Tomato Sauce

Drizzle HK Tomato Sauce over the pork shoulder & Jasmine rice, then serve immediately.

Enjoy this simple Instant Pot Pot-in-Pot Meal! 🙂

Other Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Recipes

60-Min Pork Roast Recipe: Instant Pot Pork Roast

Wolverine-Style BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe: Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork