Instant Pot Mexican Cochinita Pibil
Pressure-cooked pork shoulder infused with citrus, achiote, and warm spices for this Yucatecan classic. Orange juice and vinegar create a vibrant sauce that tenderizes the meat while it cooks, resulting in shredded pork perfect for tacos. Serve with warm tortillas and pickled habanero salsa.
Ingredients
- 5 pounds pork shoulder boneless, cut into strips
- 2 ½ cups orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 ½ cups distilled white vinegar
- 2 ½ oz achioteannatto powder1:1colorflavorspice
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- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- ¼ yellow onion null, peeled
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- ½ teaspoon cumin, ground
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ground
Instructions
- 1
Combine orange juice, vinegar, onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, achiote, salt, and pepper in a blender until fully combined.
- 2
Pour sauce into Instant Pot and add pork strips, ensuring all pieces are submerged.
- 3
Close lid, lock, and set to high pressure for 60 minutes.
- 4
After cooking, allow natural pressure release for 30 minutes.
- 5
Release remaining pressure and open pot.
- 6
Remove meat and shred into small pieces.
- 7
Pour cooking liquid over shredded pork and let soak until serving.
- 8
Heat corn tortillas.
- 9
Serve meat on tortillas topped with pickled red onion and habanero salsa.
Tips
Ensure pork is fully submerged in sauce before closing lid to promote even cooking and flavor absorption.
Reserve cooking liquid to keep shredded meat moist and flavorful until service.
Good to Know
Refrigerate shredded pork in cooking liquid for up to 4 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Prepare sauce and cook pork up to 2 days ahead. Store in refrigerator; reheat gently before serving.
Warm tortillas and serve pork with pickled red onion and habanero salsa. Offer lime wedges and additional salsa on the side.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip natural pressure release to avoid tough, dried-out meat.
Do not allow pork to remain uncovered in liquid after cooking to prevent drying out before service.
Substitutions
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