Instant Pot pork adobo is juicy and tender and a quick and easy dinner recipe that can be enjoyed even on weeknights. Just a few ingredients make this your go to meal.
I mean what’s better than saucy fall apart meat served over sticky white rice? Surely one of my favorites.
Pork adobo is a traditional Filipino dish made ever so popular here in Hawai’i. When the Filipino immigrants came to Hawai’i to work on the sugarcane and pineapple plantations they brought along with them their delicious foods. Everything from banana lumpia (or turon), pork and peas (or guisantes), and chicken papaya (or tinolang manok).
Adobo is classically made by simmering meat in a shoyu, vinegar, garlic sauce. It is common to use pork or chicken. It’s tangy and savory. It’s tender and packed with flavor. It’s amazing.
While I love making Filipino pork adobo on the stove top, I’ve come to love the quicker set it and forget it method of making it in the Instant Pot. That’s right the beloved household favorite countertop appliance. If you’re in the market to get one, this is the Instant Pot this is the one I have.
The Instant Pot has taken many households by storm and has become a popular kitchen tool. It’s an electric pressure cooker that reduces cook time. So awesome.
While everyone has their own pork adobo recipe, this is mine.
Ingredients for Instant Pot pork adobo
- Cooking oil of choice. I like to use avocado oil, but you can use vegetable, canola, olive oil or whatever cooking oil you choose.
- Pork butt. While this is a tougher cut of meat, it breaks down nicely in the Instant Pot and becomes so tender. It’s also a cheaper cut of meat. You can use pork shoulder or pork belly as well.
- Onion. I like sweet Maui onions, but a yellow or white round onion works as well.
- Garlic. After all, it’s part of the traditional flavor.
- Shoyu. This is a Japanese style soy sauce that can be found in the Asian aisle at most grocery stores.
- Vinegar. I use plain white distilled vinegar, but you can use apple cider or rice vinegar if you wish.
- Peppercorns. I leave mine whole. Ground pepper can be used as well.
- Bay leaves. Take these out when you’re done cooking and set aside.
What to serve with pork adobo?
Can’t go wrong with a plate of sticky white rice, maybe some macaroni salad. You can also add some steamed or roasted veggies.
How to store?
Once cooled, place in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep for 3-4 days.
Can you freeze Filipino pork adobo?
You bet. That’s the great thing about this recipe. Make a big batch and save some for later. Place in a zip top bag or airtight container and store in the freezer. This will keep for 4-6 months.
More Instant Pot recipes to check out
How to make Instant Pot pork adobo
- Set a 6 quart Instant Pot to saute mode.
- Add oil and pork. Brown the pork on all sides.
- Then add the onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Next add shoyu, vinegar, peppercorn, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
- Cover with lid and set to sealing. Cancel saute mode.
- Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow 10 minutes natural pressure release. Quick release remaining steam.
- When the pin has dropped, open the lid and set to saute. Saute for a few minutes until the sauce thickens up and ENJOY!
Instant Pot Pork Adobo
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set a 6 quart Instant Pot to saute mode.
- Add oil and pork. Brown the pork on all sides.
- Then add the onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant.
- Next add shoyu, vinegar, peppercorn, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
- Cover with lid and set to sealing. Cancel saute mode.
- Cook on manual high pressure for 15 minutes. Allow 10 minutes natural pressure release. Quick release remaining steam.
- When the pin has dropped, open the lid and set to saute. Saute for a few minutes until the sauce thickens up and ENJOY!
Notes
Nutrition
© Relle Lum for Keeping It Relle. Please do not copy and paste or screenshot recipes online or on social media. I’d love it if you share a link with a photo instead. Mahalo!
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I was amazed by how tender this was! Highly recommend.
Wow my favorite adobo!
Thanks for stopping by!
This was so hearty and flavorful! My boys really enjoyed it.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Aloha Shana. Sure can. You’ll just have to adjust the cook time. Chicken thighs take about 8-12 minutes to cook in the Instant Pot. Have a great day.
I added a can of pineapple chunks; this dish was a hit with my family, especially my Filipino husband who was thrilled I made a Filipino dish for dinner(probably 1st time! Lol). Super easy & fast, which is what I love! Thanks, Relle!
Hi! Love this recipe! Can I double the meat and add potatoes?
Aloha Jackie, You can totally try that if you want. Hope you enjoy!
Hi relle! I plan on making this tonight, I have all the ingredients except pork. I only have chicken breast, will that still work?
You bet. Cook time will change. I have a recipe dropping for chicken adobo real soon. Keep an eye out.
Hi Relle,
I love watching your videos. I notice you sometimes cook in your Instant Pot. I still use my cook top stove. I don’t have the space for another kitchen appliance. Should I decide to get one, I will let you know how things go. Keep up the great work on your videos.
Aloha Joanne. You can make this recipe on the stove top as well. Cook time will just be longer, otherwise same ingredients. Hope you enjoy!
I am so glad I found your website. I was born and raised in Oahu, Filipino/Portuguese and now live in Texas. I’ve made this recipe several times and it is excellent. Some parts of the Philippines like to add coconut milk and I usually add half a can to a doubled recipe. Maybe you can try it and recommend some of your viewers to try this.
Aloha Michael. So awesome to hear. Happy to have you here. Have a great day.
Can beef short ribs be used in this recipe?
Aloha Sandra. Adobo seasoning can be used on just about any meat you’d like. Hope you enjoy. Mahalo.
Very tasty and tender! Quick and easy, Mahalo for a great tasting recipe that even beginners like myself can prepare! Aloha Relle!
Yay, so great to hear. Happy you liked it. Mahalo for sharing.
Awesome recipe!! I needed to use up some random wild pork legs that been hangin out in my freezer for a long time, and this recipe was enough flavor to even make that delicious! Came out real nice and tender, my husband loved it! Mahalos Relle, was supa ono!🤙🤙
Awesome recipe!! I needed to use up some random wild pork legs that been hangin out in my freezer for a long time, and this recipe was enough flavor to even make that delicious! Came out real nice and tender, my husband loved it! Mahalos Relle, was supa ono!🤙
Aloha Mikayla. Mahalo for sharing. Happy to hear you loved it.