Best Instant Pot Pernil | Puerto Rican Pork Recipe
Transform dinner into a celebration with this Instant Pot Pernil—succulent pork, Latin spices, and convenience unite for a Puerto Rican taste journey like no other.
Equipment
- 1 electric pressure cooker
- 1 pair of long tongs
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
Ingredients
- 4 lbs pork butt or shoulder boneless preferred of cut to fit in the instant pressure cooker
- 6 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil plus 1 tbsp for browning
- 1 tbsp vinegar or citrus juice of your choice
- 1 cup beef broth broth of choice or water
Instructions
Marinate the pernil.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients. Place the pork shoulder in a large bowl and pour the marinade over it. Smear it all over the pork, ensuring it is coated. Cover the pork with plastic wrap or foil and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
- When ready to cook, select the Saute function on your cooker. Once hot, pour a tablespoon of oil into the pot and add the pork to begin browning. Brown on all sides for a few minutes each, turning it with a pair of tongs.
- Once browned, remove from the cooker and add broth. Scrape the delicious bits from the bottom with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon.
- Place the pork back in the cooker and place lid to seal.
- Select the “High Pressure” option and set cooking time to 60 minutes.
- After it is done cooking, allow a natural release of 10 minutes. Then, do a quick release for the remaining pressure.
Shred & Serve.
- With a pair of forks, separate the pork until it is shredded. Allow the meat to rest 10 minutes.
- Serve with arroz con gandules, a salad, and some avocado slices.
- ¡Buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Notes
If the pork is bone-in and large, you might have to cut it so it fits in the pressure cooker. Boneless is easier to fit and minimizes cutting.
For the acidic component, I like to use vinegar. However, you are free to use lime juice, orange juice, or whatever citrus juice you prefer. Your kitchen, your rules. 😊
Beef broth adds a lot of flavor but if you prefer vegetable broth or a different kind, you can use that instead. You can also just use a cup of water. It will not hurt the cooking of the pork.