Instant Pot Pork Street Tacos

Use pork loin, pork shoulder or pork chops to make these delicious Instant Pot Pork Tacos. This time, we’ve added an additional step of broiling the meat at the end to give the carnitas that authentic texture that really makes street tacos.

The Instant Pot has been my saving grace lately. I am the world’s worst for forgetting to take meat out of the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator. It completely slips my mind until about an hour before dinner when it’s too late for the crockpot.

Thankfully, I no longer have to worry about thawing meat or remembering to start the crockpot first thing in the morning. Even Baby Back Ribs are spectacular in the Instant Pot!

We have this 6-quart Instant Pot, and it’s plenty big enough for our family of three. My friend has the Crock-Pot brand of pressure cooker, and she says that she likes it even better than her IP. I think either choice is a good one, but the Crock-Pot version is usually about $10 cheaper or so.

If you have both, let me know which one you prefer! Now, on to the recipe…

Instant Pot Pork Tacos in a Flash

We’ve made Instant Pot Pulled Pork before, but we were missing a couple of crucial steps in making carnitas: searing and broiling the meat to get that crispy texture on the ends. Now, if you don’t like crispy meat in your tacos, you can skip the broiling step and be left with perfectly tender pulled pork.

However, we recommend that you try it. The crispy meat adds a nice texture to soft tacos, and now I prefer my pork this way!

You don’t have to stick to tacos, though. This Instant Pot pork tastes yummy in taco salads, nachos, pizza, pasta, or on pulled pork baked potatoes.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Tacos

• 2 lbs pork chops, shoulder or loin, diced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can of beer (chicken broth or non-alcoholic beer is fine)
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup or one package of taco seasoning

Instructions for Instant Pot Pork Street Tacos

Step 1 – Set Instant Pot to sauté.

Step 2 – Add oil and butter, allowing the butter to melt. Add garlic and onion. Saute about 2 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and onions are translucent.

Step 3 – Add pork, browning on both sides, but do not fully cook.

Step 4 – Add green chilies, beer, beef broth, orange juice, lime juice, cinnamon, and taco seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together.

Step 5 – Close lid, and set the valve to ‘sealing’ position. Set Instant Pot to High Pressure for 35 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes after cooking. Release remaining pressure by opening the valve.

Step 6 – Spoon pork onto a baking sheet and pull apart with forks. Place under broiler until crispy. Reserve about 1 cup of the broth from the Instant Pot to brush over the pork.

Step 7 – Serve over corn or flour tortillas. Add your favorite taco toppings, and enjoy.

A few notes about this Instant Pot Pork recipe:

• If you’re using frozen pork, you’ll need to add cooking time. I start at about 10 minutes, and if the meat is not tender enough to shred after the pressure releases, I cook an additional 10 minutes or so.
• You will not be able to sear the pork if it’s frozen, but by broiling it at the end, you can still achieve the authentic crispy edges for your Instant Pot carnitas.
• Allowing the pressure to release naturally when possible to preserve the juices in the meat, leaving it more tender than an immediate quick release.
• Use low carb tortillas if you’re watching your carbs.

Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Delicious Instant Pot Pork Tacos will be your new favorite weeknight meal. Made with tender pork (with crispy edges), these tacos are full of flavor and texture.

5 from 1 vote

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Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs pork chops shoulder or loin
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can of beer 
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup or one package of taco seasoning

Instructions

 

• Set Instant Pot to sauté.
• Add oil and butter, allowing the butter to melt. Add garlic and onion. Saute about 2 minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and onions are translucent.
• Add pork, browning on both sides, but do not fully cook.
• Add green chilies, beer, beef broth, orange juice, lime juice, cinnamon, and taco seasoning. Mix all the ingredients together.
• Close lid, and set the valve to 'sealing' position.
• Set Instant Pot to High Pressure for 35 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes after cooking. Release remaining pressure by opening the valve.
• Spoon pork onto a baking sheet and pull apart with forks. Place under broiler until crispy. Reserve about 1 cup of the broth from the Instant Pot to brush over the pork.
• Serve over corn or flour tortillas. Add your favorite taco toppings, and enjoy.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Looking for topping ideas? Traditionally, carnitas are topped with cilantro, avocado and pickled onions. However, we’ve tried (and loved) all of these:

• Avocado (and avocado crema)
• Red onions (non-pickled)
• Tomatoes
• Lime Juice
• Ranch Dressing
• Sliced Banana Peppers
• Cheese crumbles
• Pico de gallo

What are your favorite street taco toppings?

To make Instant Pot Pork Tacos, you may need the following supplies:

If you’ve enjoyed these Instant Pot Pork Tacos, you should check out some of our other Instant Pot recipes below!

Thai Instant Pot Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps