Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pork shoulder braised under pressure with aromatic spices and a rich sauce, perfect for tender, flavorful pork in less time. This latin american-inspired pork ready in about 95 minutes pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces, vegetable oil, large yellow onion, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 75 min Serves 6 Latin American cuisine 550 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil until shimmering. Add 3 lbs pork shoulder pieces and brown on all sides for 4-5 minutes, turning to develop a deep crust. Remove pork and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large sliced yellow onion to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried oregano; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and 2 tbsp tomato paste, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the pork shoulder to the pot and season with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Seal the Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp lime juice and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (20 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Instant Pot Braised Pork Shoulder with Spices?

Latin American pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes