Instant Pot Carnitas
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 pounds boneless pork butt
Boston butt or pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 4 pieces
- plus additional to taste2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
from about 1 large orange
- 3 cloves garlic)
minced (about 1 tablespoon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chile powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 14-ounce can low sodium chicken broth
divided
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion
diced
- 1 jalapeño
stemmed, seeded and diced
- Flour or corn tortillas
or cooked brown rice
- Toppings of choice: chopped fresh cilantro
feta or queso fresco, sliced avocado, sliced or diced onion, diced jalapeño
Directions
- 1
Season the pork on all sides with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.
- 2
In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the orange juice, garlic, vinegar, chipotle chile powder, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and black pepper. Set aside.
- 3
Warm the oil in the Instant Pot, using the pot’s sauté function. Add the onion and jalapeño. Cook until the onion is beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Turn the Instant Pot off. Splash in about half of the broth. With a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, remove any stuck-on bits of food (there may not be any, but if there are, they must be removed or the Instant Pot could register a BURN warning).
- 5
Add the pork, then pour in the remaining broth and the orange juice mixture. Turn the pork pieces to combine the ingredients and coat the pork evenly on all sides.
- 6
Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes. Once the pressure has built and the time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- 7
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven's broiler to high. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- 8
With two forks, shred the pork directly in the Instant Pot, discarding any large bits of remaining fat. Stir the pork in the sauce to coat it evenly.
- 9
Use a spoon to scoop the pork onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the pork into an even layer. Broil the pork for 3 to 5 minutes, until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up (don't walk away! It can quickly start to burn).
- 10
To warm the tortillas, wrap them in foil and pop them into the oven’s center rack while the pork broils. Or, you can heat the tortillas in a dry skillet on the stove.
- 11
Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Lightly toss and stir the pork to expose unbroiled sides. Return the pan to the oven and broil for 3 to 5 minutes more (the meat should become nice and crispy at its edges). Enjoy hot, piled into warm tortillas or over rice with toppings of choice.
Instant Pot Carnitas
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About this Recipe
Tired of dry, uninspired pork? Elevate your taco night with this incredible Instant Pot Carnitas recipe, delivering melt-in-your-mouth pork shoulder infused with authentic Mexican spices that will truly wow a crowd.
The magic of the Instant Pot transforms a humble boneless pork butt into incredibly tender carnitas, making it simple to achieve restaurant-quality results at home. A thoughtful blend of freshly squeezed orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and robust chiles ensures every bite is packed with savory, slightly tangy flavor.
Prepare for succulent, fall-apart pork that's deeply seasoned and incredibly satisfying. The signature melt-in-your-mouth texture, achieved effortlessly in the pressure cooker, means minimal fuss for maximum flavor, creating the perfect base for the freshest taco toppings. You'll savor a rich, savory profile balanced by a hint of citrus and a gentle warmth from the chipotle chile powder and chili powder.
Customization & Serving
While perfect as is, you can easily customize your carnitas experience. For a spicier kick, consider leaving some seeds in your diced jalapeño. If you're out of fresh oranges, a good quality bottled orange juice can work in a pinch. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs if cilantro isn't your favorite, or even skip the feta/queso fresco for a dairy-free option.
These tender Instant Pot Carnitas are the ultimate centerpiece for any taco night, perfect for a casual family dinner or a festive gathering. Serve them generously in warm flour or corn tortillas, or alongside fluffy cooked brown rice. Don't forget an array of fresh toppings like chopped fresh cilantro, creamy sliced avocado, crisp sliced or diced onion, and a sprinkle of feta or queso fresco to complete the experience.