I love cooking Mexican food, and even more importantly, I love eating it! There are so many incredible Mexican meat dishes to choose from that it is nearly impossible to go with just one. So we are going to tackle them all! One at a time! Today, Carnitas. This dish is so easy, so tasty and so darn versatile. Having a good and simple carnitas recipe is the beginning of a fabulous relationship with Mexican food. Join me on the journey!
Sear pork in batches until nicely browned.
Shred pork. Spread on a sheet pan. Drizzle with reserved liquid. Sprinkle with salt.
Broil to desired crispiness.
And devour!
Tips for this recipe
- Like a little spice? Drop some serrano peppers into the Instant Pot before cooking.
- Maybe you are feeling a little smokey? Add some chopped Chipolte peppers in adobo sauce with an extra spoonful or two of adobo to taste.
- Cook it ahead to make for an easy weeknight meal. Simply store it in the refrigerator in the reserved liquid. Drizzle, season and broil when you are ready.
- Change it up by using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead.
- The possibilities are endless. Make the perfect burritos, tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, or nachos.
- Use your air fryer instead of the oven to crisp it up right before serving.
More great recipes you might like
Cilantro Lime Rice-on the side or topped in a burrito bowl this is SO good
Mexican Red Rice-perfect to go with any Mexican dish
Pico de Gallo-make plenty because it is so addictive!
Instant Pot Carnitas
Equipment
- Instant Pot/ Pressure Cooker
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb pork butt or shoulder excess fat trimmed
- 2 oranges, juiced or 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1 lime, juiced or 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 Mexican beer like Modelo
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 onion quartered
- 5 garlic cloves grated
- 1 teaspoon Mexican Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Cut pork into 2-3 inch chunks. Season with salt and pepper.
- With your Instant Pot on Saute heat 1 tbsp oil and sear the pork in batches until nicely browned. (about 5 minutes on two sides)
- Remove pork from Instant Pot.
- With the Instant Pot still on Saute add the beer, orange juice and lime juice and scrape up all of the brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Now add the oil, onion, garlic, oregano, bay leaf and cinnamon stick and stir to combine. You can include the lime skins for an added pop. Add the pork and toss to coat each piece if not completely submerged.
- Close the lid, set the vent to sealing and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes with a natural release for 15 minutes.
- When completed, Remove the pork to a bowl and shred. Turn the Instant Pot to Saute and reduce the remaining liquid for about 5 minutes. Strain out the onion, cinnamon, bay leaf and lime rinds.
- If you are ready to eat your carnitas, set your oven to broil. Place the shredded pork onto a foil lined sheet pan. Drizzle the pork generously with the sauce and sprinkle lightly with salt.
- Broil pork until you achieve your desired crispiness. This can be anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes depending on your oven. OR use your air fryer for a minute or two to crisp it right before serving!
- All that is left is to decide which way to eat it. Tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, burritos, nachos or all by itself!
- Enjoy!!
