Description
This recipe for the BEST Instant Pot Carnitas offers tender, flavorful shredded pork shoulder cooked quickly under pressure. The pork is seasoned with a vibrant blend of spices and citrus juices, then optionally crisped under the broiler for perfect edges. Ideal for tacos, burritos, or hearty Mexican dishes, this carnitas recipe combines convenience and authentic taste in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3.5 lbs boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 medium white onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup fresh orange juice (from 2–3 oranges)
- Juice of 2 limes
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or any broth or water)
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground oregano
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Browning the Pork: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add a small amount of oil. Brown the pork chunks in batches, cooking each side for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add Liquids and Pork: Return the browned pork to the pot. Pour in the fresh orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth.
- Season: Sprinkle chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper over the pork. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Pressure Cook: Close the Instant Pot lid, seal the valve, and set to manual/high pressure for 30 minutes.
- Pressure Release: When cooking is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Then, perform a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.
- Shred Pork: Remove the pork from the pot and shred it using two forks. For crispy edges, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the carnitas warm with tortillas, salsa, and your favorite toppings for a delicious meal.
Notes
- Cut pork into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking.
- Browning the pork helps develop deeper flavor and texture.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit cayenne pepper.
- Broiling the shredded pork is optional but adds a lovely crispy texture.
- Leftover carnitas can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Use fresh orange juice for best flavor; bottled juice may alter taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican
