This Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork turns out tender, flavorful, and it’s SO easy to make! Just toss 5 ingredients into your Instant Pot, and it’s ready to go in about 30 minutes.
Easy Mexican Pulled Pork Recipe
I am going through an Instant Pot phase!!! What’s not to love about such a good and versatile appliance? Especially when the “daily stuff of life” leaves little time for cooking, the Instant Pot is a life saver. As someone who spreads herself too thin, I admit that I’m 100% sold on this thing.
A few times, I’ve used the slow cooker, or the Dutch oven, to make various styles of pulled pork, which have all turned great. But this new recipe of pulled pork is, unquestionably, my favorite!
Why? Because it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
This Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork is perfect to serve up in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, rice bowls, just to name a few. Can’t to go wrong with these my friends.
What pork do you use for pulled pork?
The best meat for pulled pork is pork shoulder or pork butt. However, I like to use pork roast to make pulled pork because it is leaner than pork shoulder or pork butt, but you can use whatever fits your liking. Apparently, the fatter cuts of meat produce a much more tender pulled pork, but my family just cannot stand the extra fat.
Is pork butt the same as pork shoulder?
Yes! pork shoulder or butt are the same thing, a cut of meat from the same section of the pig: the shoulder.
This time I chose to season the pork with my homemade taco seasoning. You can find the recipe here.
How to make Mexican Pulled Pork in the Instant Pot
1- Season pork chunks on all sides with taco seasoning.
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2- Add seasoned pork, orange juice, chicken stock and lime juice to the Instant Pot. Mix to combine. Cover. Cook on high pressure for 30 min.
3- Shred the pork with two forks.
PRO TIP: You can serve it just like it comes out of the Instant Pot, shredded of course, and make a gravy with the leftover juices, or you can crisp up the meat under the broiler for 5 minutes. Either way, it’s ridiculously delicious.
HOW DO I CRISP UP Pulled Pork?
You can crisp up pulled pork in the oven or on the stove:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 450º F and position one of the oven racks into the center of the oven. Line a baking pan with foil for easy cleanup later, if desired. Spread pork into an even layer. Add ¼ – ½ cup of the cooking liquid to the shredded pork to moisten. Bake pork for 5 – 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired crispiness level.
- Stove: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add pork in batches and sear until just crisp. Add about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and continue cooking until the liquid reduces down and the meat is nice and crispy.
What goes with Mexican pulled pork?
Pulled Pork is super versatile, you make sandwiches, fill tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, arepas, or use them as a topping for nachos!
How to store pulled Pork
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. If refrigerated, warm the pork gently in a covered casserole dish in a 300°F oven before serving.
How to freeze pulled Pork
Pulled pork also freezes really well, just let it cool completely, place in an airtight container or a freezer plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it and reheat the pork gently in a covered casserole dish in a 300°F oven before serving.
How to reheat pulled pork
Reheat pulled pork gently in a covered casserole dish in a 300° F oven until warmed through.
Completely fixed in the Instant Pot, this Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork is irresistible luscious and savory. Perfect for your upcoming Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, alongside some chips and salsa and margaritas, of course.
Enjoy!!
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes?
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
- More Recipe
Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb . boneless pork roast , excess fat trimmed, cut into 2-inch chunks (see notes)
- 1/3 cup taco seasoning
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup chicken stock
- ¼ cup lime juice
Instructions
- Season pork chunks on all sides with taco seasoning.
- Add seasoned pork, orange juice, chicken stock and lime juice to the Instant Pot. Mix to combine. Cover.
- Select "Meat" mode, then adjust until time reads 30 minutes, if necessary. Cook. When the time is over, turn off and let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally, about 10 minutes. Carefully turn the vent to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Remove the lid.
- Shred the pork with two forks.
- To crisp up pulled pork: Preheat oven broil. Transfer it with a slotted spoon to a large baking sheet. Spoon 1/3 to 1/2 of the leftover cooking juices evenly on top of the pork. Broil for 4-5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork are brown and crispy.
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately or store for later use.
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
- More Recipe
Nutrition
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- Instant Pot
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- Chef Knife
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- Cutting Mat
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- Measuring Cup Set
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Originally posted April 2017, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe.in February 2020.
With so much orange juice in it, does it taste a lot like orange?
Hello Shelly! In my opinion, it doesn’t. But feel free to substitute some orange juice for more chicken stock if you don’t like the orange flavor. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it =)
I would give it more stars if I could!
Hello Sheila! Awww…you are so kind! This one is a family fave. Thanks so much for trying my recipe and for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Delicious. I recommend doing the broil to make the pork crispy. I like fattier pork for flavor purposes so I did not trim my tenderloin and I will try this again with a shoulder/butt. I topped mine with a pineapple peach salsa with the fresh cilantro and it was a great pairing. Great easy recipe
Hello Michael! I’m SO GLAD you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!?
Fixed this tonight. I followed the instructions except did not broil at the end. It was perfect. My family raved about how tender and flavorful it was. I used shoulder cut. Looking forward to other Instant Pot recipes. Thanks!!
Hello Andrea! Thanks for trying this recipe. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Is it possible to double this recipe? I’m feeding a large crowd…
Hello Samantha! Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Yes, you can double the recipe, just don’t fill the pot past the max fill line.
Sorry if this is a silly question but is a pork roast the same as a pork shoulder?
Hello Lauren! Not silly at all. The pork roast is leaner. I tend to use pork roast because I really don’t like the pork fat, but to be honest, the shoulder is way more flavorful. You can use either cut for this recipe Thanks for your interest in my recipe.
I’m going to be getting one so I need all the help I can get.
You’ll love it, Krisha!! Let me know if you have ay question. Thanks so much for stopping by. ?
I just made this! It was so delicious! The only thing I added was pickled red onion to the final tacos! Super easy to make and So good! Thank you!
Hi Carrie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know!
Keep the Instant Pot recipes coming please! I just got mine and can’t stop using it. Tried your turkey balls and loved them! Thanks ???????? and hoping you keep your Instant Pot Phase going. This sounds delicious and looking forward to trying ????
YES YES YES! I’m so glad you enjoy my Instant Pot recipes, Donna!!!! More recipes are coming soon =)