Instant Pot Carnitas
Instant Pot Carnitas are a flavorful and tender pork dish that brings the vibrant tastes of Mexico to your dinner table. Infused with spices and citrus, this recipe elevates Taco Night into an unforgettable experience. With the use of an Instant Pot, you can achieve perfectly cooked carnitas in under an hour, making it easy to impress guests or satisfy family cravings. Serve with fresh tortillas and your favorite toppings for a delightful meal everyone will love!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Pressure cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Season pork shoulder chunks generously with salt and pepper.
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode; heat oil and cook onions until translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, and bay leaves; sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add orange juice and seasoned pork; close the lid securely.
- Pressure cook on high for 60 minutes; allow natural release for 15 minutes before quick release.
- Transfer pork to a baking sheet, shred using two forks, and broil on high for 5-7 minutes until crispy.
- Drizzle lime juice over shredded carnitas before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (140g)
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor, sear the pork before pressure cooking. Feel free to swap pork with chicken or beef, or add chipotle peppers for a smoky twist. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.