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A plate of Instant Pot carnitas with rice, beans, salsa and tortillas.
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Instant Pot Carnitas

This Instant Pot carnitas recipe is pork seared to golden brown perfection, then pressure cooked with citrus and spices to make the most tender and flavorful meat. An easy recipe that produces authentic results in no time!
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 240kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 4 pounds pork shoulder cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 onion peeled and quartered
  • 1 jalapeno stem removed, halved, seeds and ribs removed
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 1/4 cup lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • chopped cilantro and lime wedges for garnish optional
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Turn the Instant Pot to Saute mode. Pour the oil into the pot.
  • Season the pork generously with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place the pork in the pot in a single layer - you may need to work in batches.
  • Cook the pork for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown. Press cancel when you're done browning the pork to turn off the Saute mode.
  • Place all the pork in the pot along with the onion, jalapeno, chicken broth, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, cumin, chili powder and more salt and pepper to taste.
  • Place the lid on the pot and make sure that the vent is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally.
  • Carefully unseal the pot. Preheat the oven broiler and coat a sheet pan with cooking spray.
  • Remove the meat from the Instant Pot and place on the sheet pan. Roughly shred the meat with two forks.
  • Spoon 3/4 cup of the liquid from the pot over the meat.
  • Broil the meat for 5-7minutes or until the edges are golden brown and crispy. Drizzle more liquid from the pot over the meat if desired. Serve, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 571mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 132IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg