Who doesn’t like tacos? They even have their own day, Taco Tuesday. Why not give ground beef and chicken a break? Use pork. How about a Pork Carnitas recipe?
This Pork Carnitas recipe cooks up in the Instant Pot. Using the Instant Pot saves a lot of cooking time. In addition to using the Instant Pot, simple ingredients and a few tips take this typically long cooking meal to the weeknight dinner table.
What are Pork Carnitas?
Pork Carnitas are made by braising or simmering pork butt for 3 or 4 hours. This makes the pork tender and juicy. The pork is then shredded and served with tortillas, onions, salsa, guacamole, jalapenos, and cilantro and other standard toppings.
Why this Pork Carnitas Recipe is Great for the Instant Pot?
There are a couple of key reasons this recipe works so well in the Instant Pot.
First, once the Instant Pot reaches pressure the pork takes 40 minutes to cook as opposed to hours in your slow cooker or oven.
The second big advantage is the browning and cooking of the pork is all done in the Instant Pot. If you used a slow cooker recipe, you would have to brown the meat separately before adding it to the slow cooker.
Tips for Making the Pork Carnitas Recipe into a Weeknight Meal
We’re all looking for faster weeknight cooking and these tips make it possible. If time is still a factor, make them on the weekend and reheat during the week. The carnitas recipe is just as tasty reheated and you’ve got a quick meal ready for a busy weeknight!
Cutting the pork into 2-3 inch pieces is the most time-consuming part of the recipe. Use one of these two methods as a time saver.
-Cut the pork into 2-3 inch pieces the day before making the carnitas. Refrigerate in a covered container overnight.
-If you buy the pork earlier for freezing, prep the pork before packaging it for the freezer. Then you’ll only have to defrost the pork before moving forward with the recipe.
Chop the onion and garlic the day before. Cover and refrigerate so they are ready on recipe day.
Carnitas Aren’t Just for Tacos
Use your Carnitas for Tamales, Burritos or Enchiladas!
What Now?
Looks like the only thing left is to give you the Pork Carnitas Recipe!
Enjoy!
If you’re looking for other Instant Pot Recipes check out my Easy Instant Pot Refried Beans and 5 Minute Instant Pot Egg Roll Soup.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 1 3 – 4 lb Pork Butt/Shoulder
- 1 Tbs. Olive Oil
- 1 Large Onion, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2-3 Cloves of Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp. Cumin
- 1 ½ tsp. Dried Oregano
- 2 Bay Leaves, fresh or dried
- 1 Orange, Juiced
- 1 Lime, Juiced
- 2 Cups Water
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from pork butt and cut into 2-3 inch pieces.
- Turn on the Instant Pot to sauté and add Olive Oil.
- Working in batches, add the pork pieces to the Instant Pot, season with salt and pepper and brown on all sides.
- Remove pork from the Instant Pot after you’ve browned it.
- Leaving the Instant Pot on sauté, add the Onion to the Instant Pot and sauté for a couple of minutes to slightly soften.
- Turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the Chopped Garlic, Cumin, Oregano, Bay Leaves, Orange and Lime Juices, Water and stir together.
- Add the browned pork back to the instant pot.
- Check that your sealing ring on the lid is in place, put on the lid and double check that your steam release knob is set to “sealing”.
- Set the “manual” button for 40 minutes on high pressure.
- While the pork is cooking cover a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Once the 40 minutes is complete, allow the pressure to come down naturally for 15 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure using the quick release valve.
- Transfer the pork from the instant pot to the prepared baking sheet.
- Preheat Broiler.
- Using two forks shred the pork on the baking sheet.
- Place the shredded pork under the broiler for 3 or 4 minutes to brown and crisp up some.
- Once out of the oven serve Pork Carnitas as tacos with all your taco fixings like tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cheese and jalapeno peppers. You can get my pickled pepper recipe HERE.
I really need to break down and buy an Instant Pot. I’ve heard rave reviews from everyone who’s bought one about how it enhances their food, reduces cook time, and makes multiple meals which can save money. These pork carnitas sound amazing. We did Taco Thursday last night (it was too busy of a week to make Taco Tuesday work) but would love to try pork carnitas next time around.
These laid on top of spinach and mixed greens would make a wonderful Keto-friendly meal.
The idea of putting it over spinach and mixed greens is Awesome! The more I use the Instant Pot the more I like it, especially for cuts of meat like a pork shoulder or beef roast.