Use the shredded carnitas meat to top a Burrito Bowl, Taco Bowl, Loaded Nachos, or salad.
We love Carnitas!
“Carnitas” translates to “little meats” and are made from tender and succulent pork that is typically shredded or pulled apart. It is often served for dinner as Carnitas Tacos, added to burritos, or as a filling in other Mexican dinners. Instant pot carnitas produces succulent tender meat in half the time. This is one of our favorites to serve at family potlucks! It is easy and feeds a crowd. Why we love it:
Cook from frozen. Unlike crock pot dinners, you can cook frozen meat in a pressure cooker. Saves time. It’s tender in only about 90 minutes, making it a perfect quick dinner idea. Fall-apart tender pork. The result is juicy meat loaded with Mexican flavor. Makes a variety of meals. Cook extra to save for other dinners! Use the meat in everything from tacos to Loaded Nachos.
Ingredients
boneless pork shoulder – The pork shoulder, also known as pork butt or Boston butt, should have a good amount of marbling and connective tissue, which contributes to the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor of the carnitas. If you can’t find this cut, then pork loin is a good alternative. Avoid pork tenderloin as it is too lean. oil – vegetable, canola, or olive oil medium onion chicken broth – or vegetable broth orange juice – fresh squeezed or bottled lime juice – about 2 tablespoons of fresh or store-bought lime juice. You can also use lemon juice. minced cloves garlic – you can also add chopped onions or jalapenos for a bit of extra flavor ground cumin – other spices that taste great include oregano or bay leaf salt black pepper
How to Make Carnitas
Storing Tips
STORE. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Pro tip: pour some of the juices from the instant pot into the storage container to help keep them moist. FREEZE. Cool, place in a freezer container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to use it. To reheat. Use the microwave to reheat instant pot carnitas recipe quickly, but reheating in the oven is the best way. Preheat the oven to around 325°F. Place the carnitas in a baking dish, cover with foil to retain moisture, and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes to crisp up the edges, if desired.
Place the pork and other ingredients into the instant pot. Seal the lid and close the valve. Set the meat/stew button for 22 minutes per pound of pork and then allow it to naturally release.
Undercooking. If the pork is undercooked, it can result in tough meat. Insufficient liquid. The liquid in the instant pot helps to create a moist cooking environment that helps to break down the collagen in the meat, resulting in tender meat. Use enough liquid, such as chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice, as indicated in the recipe. Lack of natural release. Always allow for a natural pressure release after cooking the pork. This helps the meat retain its moisture and tenderness. If you perform a quick release, it can cause the meat to become tough.
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