Instant Pot Pork Tacos

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The best part about this recipe? You can make it in your Instant Pot in only 20 minutes! No one will be sitting around and waiting very long at all once this recipe gets started.

When it comes to changing up your typical tacos, try out this simple taco recipe! Unique and delicious!

Sometimes tacos can get boring to eat, but this Instant Pot Pork Tacos recipe offers you perfectly seasoned, tasteful tacos that will make your taste buds dance. This recipe is the best way to put a twist on Taco Tuesday! The tender pork will literally melt in your mouth!

Make sure to have your favorite toppings on hand and let everyone dig in!

I promise you that once you realize how simple this pork recipe is, it's going to be a staple in your meal planning rotation. Pork tacos for the win - over and over again!

I used to always make tacos with Instant Pot Frozen Ground Beef before this recipe, but now this is one of my favorites. The first bite is going to blow your mind!

Table of Contents

Why This Recipe Works
Recipe Video
Recipe Ingredients
How to make Instant Pot Pork Tacos
Variations
Helpful Tips
How to Serve
Recipe FAQs
More Instant Pot Taco Recipes
Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Why This Recipe Works

You may have made other pork tacos before, but you've never made this one. It's flavorful, fast, tender - and SIMPLE.

It requires only a handful of ingredients, most of which you’re likely to have on hand already. It couldn’t be easier to make, yet it tastes like it had been marinating all day.

This recipe takes just 20 minutes to make
It's the perfect way to make a meal that everyone can adapt to their liking
You can change up each taco by adding fun toppings!

Recipe Video

Recipe Ingredients

Olive oil - You can also use vegetable oil or any other neutral oil here.

Pork - For this Instant Pot carnitas recipe, I used pork shoulder since it’s the best option, in my opinion, but you can use pork tenderloin or pork loin as well.

Garlic powder - You can also substitute two cloves of fresh minced garlic. If you use fresh garlic, add it to the pot after searing the pork, so the garlic doesn’t burn.

Lemon - The lemon juice adds tartness and vibrant acidity, and also a subtle citrus flavor.

Lager - It adds a slight bite and hint of yeasty flavor without being overwhelming.

Cumin -This herb has a distinctive taste that is nutty and warm.

How to make Instant Pot Pork Tacos

Gather up all the ingredients and get excited! You're about to make the most delicious taco recipe ever!

Step One: Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the Instant Pot.

Step Two: Press "saute" for 10 minutes and put the pork shoulder in the Instant Pot.

Step Three: Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 tablespoon garlic powder.

Step Four: Add 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons black pepper, 1 tablespoon onion powder, and 1 tablespoon ground cumin.

Step Five: Pour 12 oz of lager into the Instant Pot.

Step Six: Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.

Step Seven: Wait for a natural release (or for at least 20 minutes). Then, open the lid and shred the pork.

Step Eight: Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Variations

Change up the toppings - Taco toppings are what this is all about! Add shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, black beans, you name it! The sky is the limit.

Change the meat - You can make this simple recipe with other meats as well. These Instant Pot Birria Tacos are delicious and a must! You can also use Instant Pot Ground Turkey to cut down on some of the fat content.

Helpful Tips

The easiest way to shred the pork is to use meat shredders. If you don't have that, two forks will work as well.
If you're worried that the meat is dried out, add some sour cream with your toppings for extra moisture.
To serve authentic tacos, the main toppings will be thinly sliced onion and fresh cilantro. You may also have sliced radish and avocado as well.

How to Serve

After shredding the pork, make tacos and serve as a complete meal. I like to use corn tortillas to eat these tacos, but flour tortillas will work, too.

You can also serve it with:

Sliced avocados
Lime wedges
Chopped cilantro
Sliced radishes

If you just want to add the meat to the top of Instant Pot Yellow Rice, that would be a delicious meal as well.

If you want to make this a low carb option, you can simply add the pork meat to a bowl and add your favorite low carb toppings. You don't have to use a tortilla or rice at all!

You can also serve it with a fresh salad, like I did in this Instant Pot Pork Shoulder recipe.

Recipe FAQs

Why do you use pork shoulder for making tacos?

Pork shoulder is traditionally used for tacos because it’s a very tender cut with a good amount of fat that creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Pork tenderloin and pork loin are usually much leaner, so while there’s not as much flavor, it’s a good option for those looking to use a leaner cut with a low-fat percentage.

Can you overcook pork in the Instant Pot?

Yes! You can overcook pork in the pressure cooker. If it's dried out and chewy, that means that you overcooked it.

This is where you can add sour cream or other toppings to help if that happens.

What is the difference between carnitas and pork tacos?

The main difference between the two is that carnitas tends to be cooked in an oven for a short period of time before serving.

What drinks go with tacos?

You can have any type of beverage that you'd like! Some people like a margarita or two with their tacos, while others want a nice cold soda. Options are always good.