Easy pulled pork tacos in a pressure cooker can use frozen or fresh roast to melt in your mouth and pull easily with a ton of flavor. Get your tortillas out and enjoy this for high protein dinner tonight.
Ready for some ultimate YUM? Try making pork tacos this week for your family. Shredded and piled high with cabbage and sauce all of you will surely love these. One of many Instant Pot recipes on our site. (affiliate links present)
There are so many ways to make Instant Pot pulled pork really. Of course you need some sort of broth, water or liquid to reach pressure. Then add all the seasonings and this dish is on fire y’all….not heat wise. 😉 Adding in a sauce or dry rub amps up the flavors from good to great though. Then shred with 2 forks and serve as you like, great for an army of people for sure.
Pulled Pork Tacos from Frozen
Forgetful? You can still make this, no worries! You would use our frozen pork roast Instant Pot timing which is just slightly longer. You would use the same seasonings or add those when you shred it to add flavor so they are ready to stuff!
I’m telling you every single person in our household loves these. I make them fairy regularly for Taco Tuesday nights. Just coat, saute, cook with the lid that is not attached made as a Ninja Foodi recipe and it is done. Ninja Foodi pulled pork tastes like our favorite restaurant’s dish.
Ingredient Notes
2-3 lbs. of pork roast cut into large chunks, ours didn’t have a bone and was quite lean. This will feed about 6 people depending on how hungry they are and how much meat they add to each. You want fat so don’t choose a lean cut like we did with pork tenderloin tacos.
Olive oil allows you to saute meat first, saute the outsides to get it browned. This step will lock the moisture in so it is as tender as possible and will shred easily when done.
Seasonings used are as such; Cumin is the pop of flavor you want, Garlic powder we add to everything (or onion powder works), Chili powder can give it heat, Paprika is a nice add (smoked or regular), and water or broth for cooking liquid, some like orange juice
What part of pork is used for tacos?
Many times I will make this as Instant Pot pork shoulder, use a Boston Instant Pot pork butt, pork roast, or loin. For the latter it takes less time since there isn’t a bone and the meat is already more tender. That is what we used here cut into large chunks. Makes it ready super fast.
Variations
You have a choice when it comes to the liquid used for this. Once you rub on the seasonings all over, water or broth can be added. The latter will yield more flavor for sure, it depends on what I have on hand really. Our pressure cooker carnitas have more Mexican style flavors if you prefer.
Let your imagination go though. Setting up an Instant Pot tacos bar or burrito bowl is great for Cinco de Mayo or any other get together too. Put everything in to small bowls and create an assembly line for your guests.
Crisping Option
If you want the edges crispy, set on baking sheet and broil for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it though and you may want to toss mid way thru. It doesn’t take long to get a bit of crispy edges to this and you don’t want it to dry out.
Pulled Pork Tacos Recipe
Equipment
- 1 pressure cooker
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs pork, tenderloin or loin cut into large chunks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 c water, or vegetable broth
Instructions
- Cut pork into large chunks. In a bowl combine seasonings and then rub on all sides of meat.
- Set pressure cooker to saute and add olive oil. Once hot add meat and sear on all sides until no longer pink just on outside, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Turn saute function off and add water. Close and lock lid and steam valve.
- Set to high pressure for 30 minutes with a natural release of 10 minutes when done.
- Release remaining pressure and lift lid. Use fork to shred pork in the pot. Leave in the sauce until ready to remove and add to tacos.
- Use tongs to add meat, cole slaw, hot sauce inside small tortillas with a squeeze of lime on top and enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What should you serve with pulled pork tacos?
- Lime juice for the end is a nice touch
- Hawaiian coleslaw is great for some crunch
- Small tortillas will hold everything
- Cheese is a must for some, Feta is our favorite with pork
- Salsa both mild and spicy so everyone can choose
- Diced onions are a cheap option
I mean there are so many options really. You need flour or corn tortillas, and cole slaw is a must for us. From there I love avocado, guacamole, sour cream, and homemade pico de gallo salsa is great.
You can keep pulled pork warm in an Instant Pot for up to 2 to 4 hours using the “Keep Warm” setting. This setting maintains a safe temperature (above 140°F) to prevent bacterial growth, while keeping the pork tender and juicy.
Super simple right?? Serve on top of a bed of brown rice too if you’d rather. I do that with my leftovers the next day for sure. Save some of the yummy liquid in the pot in a container to use the next day too. Looking for a bit of a healthier option? Try our air fryer fish tacos too!!
How to keep leftovers
Keep some of the broth from the pot in a sealed container once cooled, you will want this to reheat it. In another airtight container put your meat with some of the cooking liquid once cooled in your fridge for up to 3 days.
How do you reheat cooked pork?
The fastest way is to use your microwave honestly. Make sure you add some of your liquid on top and toss together so it doesn’t dry out. You could add some gravy too if you want it more Southern style. Nuke for 30 seconds, stir, and then repeat until it is as hot as you’d like.
I love using freezer bags instead of tupperware myself. One thing is I always lose those dang lids, but besides that I don’t have to wash the container once I heat what’s left.
Can you overcook pulled pork?
I mean I guess so but the longer it’s cooked the more tender it becomes. At some point it would get too soft so make sure you follow cook times and directions properly.
I’ll tell you that I have made large hunks of meat a lot this way. I do like to remove the bone and cut into larger chunks at the beginning. Sauteeing with a bit of oil will sear the outsides which adds texture. That isn’t a must step though and if you skip it you’ll still be fine.
