Description

Easy Instant Pot Carnitas are a tender, juicy, and flavorful take on a traditional Mexican pulled pork dish. These carnitas are seasoned with warm spices, braised in a zesty citrus and beer-infused broth, and finished with a crispy texture. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or rice plates, this recipe is incredibly versatile and can also be made in a slow cooker or oven.

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Pork:

2–3 pounds pork tenderloin, shoulder, or butt (trimmed and cut into large cubes)
1 1/2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil

For the Spice Rub:

1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the Cooking Liquid:

1 onion, quartered
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cinnamon stick
12 ounces Mexican beer or chicken broth
1 cup fresh orange juice (from 2-2 1/2 medium oranges)
1/3 cup fresh lime juice (from 2-3 small limes)

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Instructions

Marinate the Pork:
- Mix the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl.
- Rub the spices onto the pork pieces and let them marinate for up to 2 hours (optional).
Sear the Pork:
- Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté” and add a drizzle of oil. Once hot, sear the pork pieces in batches until browned on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Prepare the Pot:
- Add onions to the pot and sauté for 1–2 minutes, then stir in the garlic until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pot with beer or broth, scraping the browned bits from the bottom.
Cook the Carnitas:
- Return the pork to the pot and add the orange juice, lime juice, cinnamon stick, and oregano.
- Seal the lid, set the valve to the pressure position, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes (16–17 minutes for high altitude).
- Perform a quick release, then shred the pork with two forks.
Crisp the Carnitas:
- Preheat your oven to broil. Spread the shredded pork on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle a bit of the cooking liquid over the pork and broil for 7 minutes. Flip the pork and broil for an additional 5 minutes for extra crispiness.

Category: Dinner