Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork

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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.

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

Oriana Romero

This Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork turned out tender, flavorful, and it was SO easy to make! Just toss 5 ingredients into your Instant Pot and it is ready to go in about 30 minutes.

3.97 from 31 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 32 mins

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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.

Oriana's Notes

 

You can also use pork shoulder to make this recipe. I tend to use pork roast because it's leaner, but to be honest, the shoulder is way more flavorful. 

 

4 pounds of pork will serve around 6 people.

 

STORE: refrigerate for up to 3 days. If refrigerated, warm the pork gently in a covered casserole dish in a 300°F oven before serving. 

 

FREEZE: 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. 

 

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

 

★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!

 

Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate and it can vary depending on the products used.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 331kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 51gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 297mgPotassium: 963mgSugar: 4gVitamin A: 265IUVitamin C: 24.6mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 1.5mg

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Calories 331

Keyword carnitas easy pork pulled

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Originally posted April 2017, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe.in February 2020.