These delicious Instant-Pot Carnitas are the perfect recipe to make any day of the week, especially on Taco Tuesdays.
An Instant Pot is definitely one of my favorite kitchen appliances. Every time a friend or family member hosts a housewarming party, I just have to give them an Instant Pot. It’s truly the gift that keeps on giving since you can literally do just about anything with it. Whether it’s steaming a pot of jasmine rice, sautéing veggies, braising short ribs, whipping up a batch of oatmeal, or making this delicious carnitas recipe, the Instant Pot has got you covered!
I find myself constantly making this carnitas recipe in my Instant Pot, and for good reason—it’s easy to prepare and pretty hands-off, plus it tastes absolutely amazing! It brings back memories of my hometown in Los Angeles, which is bursting with incredible Mexican restaurants and taco stands serving up some of the best carnitas you’ll ever taste. My favorite spot for a carnitas taco was at a little family-run taco stand in Inglewood. Almost every evening, you’d find their taco stand brimming with people eagerly ordering tasty carnitas tacos and an ice-cold soda. My friends and I used to live just down the street from that stand, and we probably feasted there over a hundred times!
Now that I’m living abroad in Europe, all I think about is their carnitas, and this recipe always manages to satisfy my cravings. If you’re looking for some authentic carnitas, give this recipe a try—trust me, it’s the real deal!
Why is there orange juice in this recipe?
The orange juice in this recipe serves a few different crucial purposes, both in the cooking process and flavor. Along with the lime juice, the orange juice actually helps break down the tough connective tissues in the pork, making it incredibly tender and giving it that quintessential fall-apart texture. While it won’t give the meat an overly orangey flavor, it does add a pleasant, sweet, and tart taste. It’s the perfect counterpoint to the intensely rich and savory flavor of the pork. If you want to further enhance the citrusy flavor, I recommend grating a bit of the orange and lime zest into the Instant Pot.
How do I store leftovers?
After it’s fully cooled, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I suggest storing the leftover pork mixture separately from the tortillas. You can reheat it in the microwave or a lightly oiled pan over medium-high heat until it’s warm. The meat can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Serving suggestions
I am constantly making this carnitas recipe since I’m obsessed with the juicy taste of the slow-cooked pork, but also because I love the side dishes that pair along with it. I always make a pot of these Refried Beans, some fluffy Mexican Rice, and most importantly, these Gluten-Free Tortillas. It’s also nice to have a big salad on the side, so I try making either this delightful Avocado Salad or a big bowl of this simple Tossed Salad.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork shoulder cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup fresh orange juice from 2-3 oranges
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- Tortillas with preferred toppings like cilantro, chopped onions, sliced jalapeños, and more
Instructions
- Pat the pork shoulder dry. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, and chili powder. Set the Instant Pot to sauté, add olive oil, and sear the pork in batches until well browned on all sides. Remove the pork and set aside until you're done cooking all batches.
- Return all browned pork to the Instant Pot. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, orange juice, and lime juice.
- Secure the lid with the valve set to sealing, and pressure cook on high for 60 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then carefully open the lid.
- Shred the pork using two forks, discarding any excess fat or liquid you don't want, and spread the meat on a foil-lined baking sheet. Place it under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, until the edges become crispy, stirring halfway through.
- Serve with tortillas and preferred toppings.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Leave a Comment