Name: Instant Pot Vietnamese Pork (Caramel Pork)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds pork butt (shoulder) (cut in 1-2" pieces); 2 tablespoons cooking oil; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 4 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 teaspon soy sauce; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 cup pork broth; 1/4 cup water; 1 small onion (sliced); Green onions (optional for garnish); Fried shallots (optional for garnish)

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This super tender, fall apart Vietnamese Pork (Caramel Pork) takes less than a hour to make in the Instant Pot for delicious melt-in-your mouth morsels of flavor packed pork!

This recipe was originally published in March 2018. It has been updated for photos, content and video.

When I told people at work the other day I was making fish sauce pork, I got some strange looks. I get it, fish sauce pork does not sound super appetizing.

But if they only knew. So I figured a title like Vietnamese Pork would be slightly more appealing. Juicy pork coated in a sticky, caramelized sauce of sugar and fish sauce, I can only describe the flavor as magical.

The boyfriend has been talking about this Vietnamese caramel pork for days. I'm pretty sure I will have to make it again just to get him to leave me alone LOL.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
How to Serve Vietnamese Pork
More Vietnamese Favorites
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

Browning the pork first helps to deepen the flavor of the dish.
Using brown sugar helps to caramelize the pork and adds that wonderful "caramel" flavor.
The Instant Pot helps the pork to become super tender in a minimal amount of time.
Vietnamese ingredients have an amazing depth of flavor. Learn more about common ingredients in this post about stocking your Vietnamese Pantry.

a bowl of vietnamese pork and rice with green onions

What is Fish Sauce?

Fish sauce is exactly what it sounds like. It's typically anchovies fermented in salt for an extended period of time. The smell can sometimes be a bit pungent, but the flavor it adds to recipes is like no other. It's adds a deep, umami flavor that is just incredible.

There are many different versions, but I personally like Red Boat 40 fish sauce. It has the best flavor and has no additives...it's just anchovies and salt. (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a small commission if you buy through this link, at no cost to you).

Read this article from Bon Appetit, What is Fish Sauce anyway?, all about fish sauce to learn more about it.

2 bowls of vietnamese dipping sauce with chilies and garlic

If you're a big fan of fish sauce, you must try this traditional Vietnamese Dipping Sauce (Nuoc Cham).

If you don't have an Instant Pot yet, read my full review of the Instant Pot if you haven't decided whether the purchase is right for you or not.

If you're ready to make a purchase, you can Buy an Instant Pot here. (Amazon affiliate link).

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Step By Step Instructions

In addition to step by step instructions, I've also included a video showing the process for making this Vietnamese Pork.

Step 1: Heat 1-2 tbsp. cooking oil in the Instant Pot on the "saute" setting (normal). You're going to add the pork and brown on all sides.

You may need to do this in batches. Make sure you only lay the pork in a single layer at the bottom of the Instant Pot. You want a nice crust on the outside. Don't crowd it!

Step 2: Once it's browned, we add the brown sugar to start the caramelization process. You'll want to be sure you keep stirring during this part to keep the sugar from burning.

Step 3: Once the sugar starts to turn a deep golden brown and cost the pork with a sticky goodness (about 4-5 minutes), we add the garlic, cook for a minute, then add the pork broth, black pepper, fish sauce and water.

Step 4: And it's time for the pressure! Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes and let the steam release naturally at the end for 10 minutes. Use the quick release to release any remaining pressure. **You can also use the quick release if you're in a hurry. They say it makes your pork less tender, but I haven't noticed much of a difference myself.

Step 5: Turn the Instant Pot back to saute, add the sliced onions, and simmer until the sauce has reduced and thickened to coat the pork. This should take 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Serve the pork with some steamed white rice and garnish with sliced green onion and fried shallots (optional).

Expert Tips

Substitute chicken broth for pork broth if necessary.
Cook the pork in batches to make sure it browns instead of steams.
Make sure to stir periodically after adding the sugar to ensure it doesn't burn.
After the pressure has released, you want to continue cooking it until all the liquid has been absorbed.

**If you don't have an Instant Pot, or want to make it in a regular pot, check out the Vietnamese Caramel Pork from Nagi at RecipeTinEats.

**You can also try this Caramel Pulled Pork made in the slow cooker from Carlsbad Cravings if you want to go the slow cooker route.