If you’re craving the vibrant, smoky, and sweet flavors of traditional Mexican street food but want to save time without sacrificing any authentic taste, the Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe is your golden ticket. This dish brilliantly combines tender pork infused with smoky chipotle and pineapple, all cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot to deliver juicy, melt-in-your-mouth filling that’s bursting with flavor. Whether you’re a taco enthusiast or new to Mexican cuisine, these tacos are an irresistible crowd-pleaser that elevate weeknight dinners or casual gatherings into fiesta-level celebrations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient for the Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe plays a crucial role in bringing together a balance of spice, sweetness, and savoriness. The simple yet essential ingredients ensure that every bite delights with the perfect texture and mouthwatering aroma.
- Pork sirloin roast (3 pounds, cut into quarters): This lean cut becomes incredibly tender and juicy when pressure-cooked, soaking up all the flavors.
- Sea salt (2 teaspoons): Enhances and deepens the natural flavors of the pork and seasonings.
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon): Adds just the right amount of subtle heat and earthiness.
- Sazon Goya with coriander and annatto (1.41 oz packet, divided): This gives the dish that signature vibrant color and a complex, aromatic flavor profile.
- Bacon (8 ounces, thick sliced and diced): Infuses the dish with smokiness and extra savory richness.
- Chicken broth (1 ½ cups): Provides moisture for cooking and helps meld the flavors into a luscious sauce.
- Chipotles in adobo sauce (7 ounces, chipotles removed for less spice): These smoky, spicy peppers are key to the classic al pastor taste.
- Crushed pineapple (16 ounces, undrained): Lends a bright, natural sweetness that balances the smoky heat perfectly.
- Corn tortillas (optional): The traditional vessel for serving your al pastor tacos, adding a soft, slightly charred base.
- Chopped cilantro (optional garnish): Adds fresh, herbal brightness to each taco.
- Chopped white onion (optional garnish): Offers a crisp bite and sharp contrast to the rich pork.
- Lime wedges (optional garnish): A squeeze of lime adds a zesty tang that lifts the entire dish.
How to Make Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
Step 1: Season the Pork
Start by cutting your pork sirloin roast into quarters and generously rub each piece with the sea salt, black pepper, and half of the Sazon Goya packet. This step sets the foundation for flavor by allowing the seasoning to penetrate every inch of the pork.
Step 2: Crisp the Bacon
Turn on your Instant Pot to the sear or brown function. Toss in the diced bacon and cook until sizzling and golden, about 3 to 5 minutes. The bacon fat will render and add incredible smokiness to the dish, so don’t rush this step!
Step 3: Brown the Pork
Next, add the seasoned pork pieces into the pot and brown them on each side for about 5 minutes. This step locks in flavor and gives the meat a gorgeous caramelized crust that enhances the final taste.
Step 4: Remove Excess Grease
Once browned, carefully remove any excess grease from the pot but keep the bacon and those flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom. These bits will dissolve into the sauce during pressure cooking, infusing it with deep, meaty goodness.
Step 5: Prepare the Cooking Sauce
In a blender, combine the chicken broth, chipotles (removing the peppers if you prefer less spice), crushed pineapple with its juice, and the remaining half of the Sazon Goya packet. Blend everything until smooth to create a luscious, tangy sauce that will gently cook the pork.
Step 6: Add the Sauce and Stir
Pour this blended sauce over the pork and bacon in the Instant Pot. Give everything a good stir to make sure no pork bits are stuck to the bottom of the pot and to evenly distribute the sauce.
Step 7: Pressure Cook
Seal up your Instant Pot and set it to cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. The pressure and steam work wonders, tenderizing the pork beautifully while infusing it with the complex flavors of the sauce.
Step 8: Natural Pressure Release
When the cooking cycle completes, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. This gradual cooldown keeps the pork juicy and tender.
Step 9: Check for Doneness
Make sure the pork has reached an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit and is tender enough to shred easily. If it needs more time, simply reseal the pot and cook an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 10: Shred the Pork
Once perfectly cooked, shred the pork using two forks. Return the shredded meat to the pot and toss it with the sauce and bacon pieces, letting it soak up every drop of that smoky, sweet, spicy flavor.
Step 11: Ready to Serve
Your Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe is now ready to be piled high in warm corn tortillas with your favorite garnishes. Get ready for a taco night to remember!
How to Serve Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing is where you get to add personal flair and the perfect finishing touches. Freshly chopped cilantro adds herbal brightness, crisp raw white onion adds crunch and sharpness, and a squeeze of lime cuts through the richness with a refreshing zing. Each of these components brightens every bite, making the flavors truly pop.
Side Dishes
Complement your tacos with classic Mexican sides such as Mexican street corn (elote), refried beans, or a fresh cabbage slaw for some crunch and tang. Rice dishes like cilantro-lime rice also pair beautifully, soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress? Serve the shredded al pastor on tostadas for a crispy taco alternative or use it as a stuffing in burritos or quesadillas. Another fun idea is to layer the pork in nachos topped with cheese and jalapeños, turning your Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe into an exciting party snack.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover al pastor meat can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keeping the pork with its sauce ensures it remains moist and flavorful, ready to warm back up for a quick meal.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Store cooled cooked pork in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain its tender texture and vibrant flavor.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave with a splash of water or broth to keep the pork moist. Stir occasionally to warm the meat evenly without drying it out.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of pork for this recipe?
Absolutely! While pork sirloin is lean and tender, pork shoulder works wonderfully too and will become even more buttery after pressure cooking. Just adjust the cooking time slightly if needed.
How spicy is the Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe?
The heat level primarily comes from the chipotles in adobo sauce. Removing the chipotles but using some adobo sauce creates milder flavor. You can always add more chipotles for increased spice or less for a gentler heat suitable for all palates.
Do I need to use an Instant Pot for this recipe?
The Instant Pot is ideal for tenderizing the pork quickly while infusing great flavor, but you can adapt the recipe for a slow cooker or stovetop method. Expect longer cooking times and adjust liquids accordingly.
What if I don’t have Sazon Goya?
You can substitute with a mix of ground coriander, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of annatto powder or smoked paprika to replicate the flavor and color of Sazon Goya.
Are there vegetarian versions of this recipe?
While this recipe is traditionally pork-based, you can create a vegetarian take using jackfruit or mushrooms with similar seasoning and sauce for that smoky-sweet al pastor flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing like the juicy, smoky, and sweet combination that makes the Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe a true showstopper. It’s quick enough for weeknights but flavorful enough to impress guests, proving that authentic Mexican cooking can be simple and fun. Now is the perfect time to gather your ingredients, fire up your Instant Pot, and enjoy the delicious magic of al pastor tacos with those you love!
Print
Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Instant Pot Al Pastor Tacos recipe delivers a flavorful and tender pork filling infused with traditional Mexican spices, chipotle peppers, and pineapple. The pork is pressure-cooked to juicy perfection, then shredded and served in warm corn tortillas with classic garnishes for an authentic taco experience.
Ingredients
Pork and Seasonings
- 3 pounds pork sirloin roast (cut into quarters)
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.41 oz packet of Sazon Goya with coriander and annatto (divided)
Other Ingredients
- 8 ounce package thick sliced bacon (diced)
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 7 ounce can chipotles in adobo sauce (remove chipotles and discard sauce for less spice)
- 16 ounce can crushed pineapple (undrained)
Optional Garnishes and Serving
- Corn tortillas
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped white onion
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the pork: Cut the pork sirloin into quarters. Rub each piece thoroughly with sea salt, black pepper, and half of the packet of Sazon Goya to season evenly.
- Sear the bacon: Set the Instant Pot to the sear or brown function and add the diced bacon. Cook until the bacon is sizzling and slightly crispy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Brown the pork: Add the seasoned pork quarters to the pot and brown each side for approximately 5 minutes. This step develops flavor through caramelization. After browning, turn off the Instant Pot.
- Prepare the pot: Remove excess bacon grease from the pot but leave the cooked bacon pieces and browned bits on the bottom to maintain flavor for the next step.
- Blend the sauce: In a blender, combine the chicken broth, chipotle peppers (discard the adobo sauce if less heat is desired), crushed pineapple with juice, and the remaining half packet of Sazon Goya. Blend until smooth to create the marinade and cooking liquid.
- Add sauce to pork: Pour the blended sauce over the browned pork and bacon in the Instant Pot. Stir gently to ensure any browned bits stuck to the bottom are loosened and mixed into the liquid.
- Pressure cook the pork: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook under high pressure for 35 minutes to tenderize the pork thoroughly.
- Release pressure safely: When cooking is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then carefully perform a manual release for any remaining pressure.
- Check doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the pork has reached an internal temperature of at least 145°F. The pork should shred easily; if not, reseal and cook under pressure for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shred the pork: Remove the pork from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the pot with the cooking sauce and bacon, mixing well to combine the flavors.
- Serve the tacos: Serve the hot shredded pork in warmed corn tortillas. Garnish with chopped cilantro, white onion, and lime wedges as desired for an authentic and fresh finish.
Notes
- For less spice, remove chipotles from adobo sauce and discard the sauce before blending.
- Ensure the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145°F for safe consumption.
- Browning the pork and bacon adds depth to the flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Use fresh corn tortillas if possible for authentic texture and taste.
- Leftover cooked pork can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
