Summer is all about fresh produce, yes, but it’s also about burgers and hot dogs and ribs and pulled pork. If you are a fan of pulled pork, we are here to tell you that you need this easy Instant Pot recipe. As someone who cooks every day for a living, I don’t easily obsess over recipes. This is an exception! Among its virtues: It is dead easy. It calls for very few ingredients. And it yields an incredibly delicious source of protein that I can use to make meals all week long — without getting bored once.

Photo Credit: Fit Foodie Finds

How to Turn Pulled Pork into Easy Weeknight Meals

One pork shoulder will give you tons of leftovers that can be used for an endless variety of meals. I promise that everything you make with your pulled pork will be more delicious for it. Here are a few ideas:

1. Taco Tuesday

All you need for a simple and delicious taco night are your favorite tortillas or wraps, avocado, and quick-pickled red onion. No cheese or sour cream required. Unless, of course, you want the works!

2. Burrito Bowls and Other Bowls

Pile pulled pork into a bowl with avocado, chunks of roasted sweet potato, corn, tomatoes, and raw, pickled, or fermented cabbage for an epic burrito bowl. If you eat rice and/or beans, add them too. And while I love topping the whole thing with sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt), just a drizzle of fresh lime juice and sprinkle of fresh cilantro and chopped white onion will do.

You can also pair pulled pork with pilaf or cauliflower rice, chopped cucumber and tomato salad, lemony tahini and Feta cheese for a Greek-ish bowl. Or warm the meat in coconut milk with chickpeas, curry powder, fresh garlic, and ginger. Serve over rice with roasted cauliflower, plain yogurt flavored with lime juice, and cilantro. The possibilities are endless!

3. Shortcut Meat Sauce

Classic Italian-style meat sauce is slow cooked, but you can cheat your way there by adding pulled pork to your favorite jarred tomato sauce. I like starting with a low- or no-sugar added marinara so that I can build my own flavor by cooking the meat in just a touch of olive oil with chopped fresh onion and garlic before adding the sauce.

4. Dinner-Worthy Sandwiches

Sandwiches are underrated as a dinner food, especially when you make them using pulled pork. If you aren’t big on eating tons of bread, use just half of a roll and add more meat and veg: open face sandwiches for the win!

The Easiest Instant Pot Pulled Pork

This recipe, adapted from Make It Easy, is one of the easiest recipes out there, calling for just 3 ingredients. Once you master this basic recipe, consider riffing on it. Add smashed garlic cloves, a halved jalapeno, and/or fresh or dried oregano to the mix. You can also rub the pork with cumin and coriander and brown before adding everything else and setting the pressure cooker to do its thing. Carnitas is as delicious dressed up as it is dressed down.