Tacos al Pastor is a traditional Mexican street food dish that is packed with flavor. This dish is typically made with marinated pork that is cooked on a vertical spit, similar to the way shawarma is cooked. The pork is marinated in a blend of spices, like achiote paste, garlic, and cumin, which gives it a rich and savory flavor. It is then thinly sliced and served in warm tortillas with pineapple, onion, and cilantro, making for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Traditionally, Tacos al Pastor is cooked on a spit over an open flame, but with the help of an Instant Pot, you can easily recreate this dish at home. The Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more, making it a versatile kitchen tool.
Ingredients
The Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe requires the following ingredients:
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Note: Achiote paste is a flavoring made from annatto seeds and spices. It adds a unique and vibrant red color to the dish.
These ingredients are used to marinate and cook the pork in the Instant Pot, giving it a delicious and tender texture. The combination of pineapple juice, orange juice, lime juice, and achiote paste adds brightness and tanginess to the meat. The spices like oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and ground cinnamon enhance the flavor and give the dish its distinct taste. Overall, these ingredients work together to create a flavorful and authentic Tacos al Pastor recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor
To make delicious Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor, follow these simple steps:
- Prepare the marinade by combining the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Cut the pork shoulder into small chunks and place them in a bowl. Pour the marinade over the pork and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for better flavor.
- Turn on the Instant Pot and select the sauté function. Once hot, add the marinated pork and cook for about 5 minutes, or until browned on all sides.
- Add the pineapple chunks, diced onion, and chicken broth to the Instant Pot. Stir well to combine.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the pressure valve is set to “sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn the pressure valve to “venting” to release any remaining pressure.
- Open the Instant Pot and use two forks to shred the pork. Mix it well with the cooking liquid to enhance the flavor.
- Warm up the tortillas on a skillet or in the microwave.
- Assemble the tacos by placing a spoonful of the shredded pork onto each tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Serve the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor hot and enjoy!
Tips from Professional Chefs for Making Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor
When it comes to making Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor, professional chefs have some valuable tips to ensure that you achieve the best flavor and texture. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Marinate the meat: To infuse the pork with maximum flavor, marinate it overnight in a mixture of pineapple juice, achiote paste, garlic, and spices. This will help tenderize the meat and add a delicious tangy taste to your tacos.
- Use the sauté function: Before pressure cooking the pork, use the sauté function on the Instant Pot to brown the meat. This will sear in the juices and give the pork a nice caramelized exterior, adding depth of flavor to the final dish.
- Add pineapple chunks: For authenticity and a burst of sweetness, add pineapple chunks to your Instant Pot along with the marinated pork. The natural sweetness of the pineapple will complement the tanginess of the marinade and create a well-balanced flavor profile.
- Don’t overcook the pork: Use the manual setting on your Instant Pot and cook the pork for about 25 minutes per pound. Overcooking will make the meat dry and tough, so make sure to keep an eye on the cooking time and remove the pork as soon as it is tender and easily shredable.
By following these tips from professional chefs, you can elevate your Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor to a restaurant-quality dish that is bursting with flavor and sure to impress your family and friends.
Reviews
As a real customer, I have to say that the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe is absolutely amazing. The flavors are out of this world and the tender, juicy meat just melts in your mouth. I was a bit skeptical at first, as I had never made Tacos al Pastor before, but the Instant Pot made it super easy.
First of all, the marinade for the meat is so flavorful and aromatic. The combination of spices, such as chili powder, cumin, and oregano, creates a perfect balance of heat and smokiness. I let the meat marinate for a few hours, and it really made a difference in the taste.
The Instant Pot itself was a game changer. It cooked the meat to perfection in just under an hour. The pressure cooking feature made the meat incredibly tender and allowed the flavors to penetrate every bite. I was amazed at how quickly and effortlessly the Instant Pot cooked the Tacos al Pastor.
The final result was a plate full of delicious Tacos al Pastor that rival any I’ve had at a Mexican restaurant. The meat was juicy and full of flavor, while the toppings, such as pineapple and cilantro, added a refreshing and tangy element. I can’t wait to make this recipe again and impress my friends and family with my newfound cooking skills!
I recently tried making Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor using this recipe, and I was blown away by how delicious they turned out! The flavors were incredibly authentic and the meat was tender and juicy. I loved how easy it was to make in the Instant Pot – just a few simple steps and it was done.
The marinade for the pork was amazing – the combination of pineapple, onions, garlic, and spices created a rich and flavorful sauce that really infused the meat. The recipe called for marinating the pork for a few hours, but I left it overnight and the flavors were even more intense. The Instant Pot did a fantastic job of cooking the pork, getting it perfectly tender and juicy.
The final result was some of the best tacos I’ve ever had. The pork was unbelievably flavorful, with a perfect balance of sweetness from the pineapple and tanginess from the onions and garlic. I topped the tacos with some fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime juice, which added a nice freshness and brightness to the dish.
I highly recommend trying this recipe if you’re a fan of tacos al Pastor. The Instant Pot makes it so easy and the results are outstanding. You won’t be disappointed!
I recently tried the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe and I have to say, it was absolutely delicious! The flavors were rich and vibrant, and the meat was incredibly tender. The combination of tangy pineapple, smoky chipotle, and savory spices created a perfect balance of sweet and spicy. The Instant Pot made the cooking process quick and easy, while still allowing the flavors to develop and meld together. I was impressed with how well the meat cooked in such a short amount of time, and it was so tender that it practically melted in my mouth.
The recipe itself was straightforward and easy to follow. I appreciated that it included step-by-step instructions for marinating the meat and preparing the sauce. The result was a flavorful and authentic dish that tasted like it came straight from a Mexican restaurant. I was also pleased with how customizable the recipe was – I was able to adjust the spice level to my liking by adding more or less chipotle peppers. Overall, I highly recommend trying the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe to anyone who loves delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine!
In addition to being delicious, the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor were also incredibly versatile. I enjoyed them as a main course, but they would also be perfect for a taco bar or a festive gathering. The leftovers tasted just as good the next day, which made for a convenient and tasty lunch. The recipe made a generous amount of meat, so there was plenty to go around. I also appreciated that the recipe used simple and readily available ingredients, so there was no need for any hard-to-find or specialty items. Overall, the Instant Pot Tacos al Pastor recipe exceeded my expectations and I will definitely be making it again in the future!
