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Pressure Cooker Carnitas (Instant Pot) Recipe by Isabel Eats

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy way to prepare authentic Mexican carnitas, look no further! With the convenience of an Instant Pot, you can create tender, flavourful pork carnitas in no time at all. This delightful recipe, inspired by Isabel Eats, is perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply served with rice and beans.

What Are Carnitas?

Carnitas, which translates to "little meats" in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican dish made from pork that is slow-cooked until tender and then typically crisped up before serving. The key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich flavour lies in the cooking process, which involves marinating the meat in a blend of spices and cooking it until it’s fork-tender.

Ingredients

To make these mouth-watering carnitas in your Instant Pot, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 1.5 kg (3–4 lbs) pork shoulder (also known as pork butt), trimmed and cut into large chunks
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2–3 bay leaves
• 1 orange, juiced (pairing the juice with the spent halves)
• 1 lime, juiced (same as above)
• 1 cup chicken broth

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pork:
   Start by trimming any excess fat from the pork shoulder. Cut the meat into large chunks (about 5 cm or 2 inches). This helps the pork cook evenly in the pressure cooker.

2. Sauté the Vegetables:
   Turn on your Instant Pot and select the ‘Sauté’ function. Once hot, add the olive oil. Then, sauté the diced onion for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Season the Pork:
   In a large bowl, combine the cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the pork chunks to ensure they are well-coated.

4. Combine Ingredients:
   Place the seasoned pork into the Instant Pot over the sautéed onions and garlic. Add the bay leaves, orange juice (along with the spent halves), lime juice, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and ensure the pork is submerged in the liquid.

5. Pressure Cook:
   Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the vent is closed. Select the ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ function and set the timer for 60 minutes on high pressure. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for about 15 minutes before performing a quick release for any remaining pressure.

6. Shred the Pork:
   Once the pressure has been released, carefully remove the pork chunks from the pot and place them onto a large cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.

7. Crisp it Up (Optional):
   If you prefer crispy carnitas, you can place the shredded pork onto a baking sheet and broil it in the oven for a few minutes until the edges are golden and crispy. This step adds an extra layer of texture to the dish.

8. Serve:
   Serve your carnitas warm in corn or flour tortillas, topped with your favourite toppings such as diced onions, fresh cilantro, and a drizzle of lime juice. They can also be served with rice, beans, or in a burrito for a hearty meal.

Conclusion

This Instant Pot carnitas recipe captures the essence of traditional Mexican cooking but gives you the convenience of a quick preparation time. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or simply treating yourself, these flavour-packed carnitas are sure to be a hit. So roll up your sleeves, fire up your Instant Pot, and enjoy a taste of Mexico right in your own home!