Crispy Instant Pot carnitas are tender pieces of pork with delightfully crispy edges. These easy Instant Pot carnitas are a simple, dump-and-cook recipe.
Carnitas as crispy bits of pulled pork. But this isn’t just any old pulled pork!
This pulled pork has lots of flavor from spices, onion, and plenty of garlic. The meat is tender on the inside and delightfully crispy on the outside.
This crispy Instant Pot carnitas recipe is just about the easiest way to make carnitas. The pork cooks until tender in the Instant Pot, and then the meat is crisped up under the broiler.
It’s a simple way to make a tasty meal!
How to make crispy Instant Pot carnitas
Step 1: In a small bowl, olive oil, cumin, oregano, chile powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
Step 2: Rub the seasoning mixture over the pork pieces.
Step 3: Add the orange juice, lime juice, onions, and garlic to the Instant Pot inner pot.
Step 4: Place the pork pieces in the inner pot on top of the onion and garlic mixture.
Step 5: Close and lock the lid. Press manual high pressure and adjust the cooking time to 60 minutes.
Step 6: When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes.
Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
Step 7: While the pressure is releasing, preheat your oven to broil.
Step 8: Carefully remove the pork pieces to a greased rimmed baking sheet.
Step 9: Shred the pork and spread it into an even layer on the baking sheet. You can remove any excess fat, if you prefer.
Step 10: Broil the pork for about 4-5 minutes, or until the top and edges of the pork are crispy and browned.
Serving suggestions
Carnitas can be served as a filling for tacos or burritos. They’re also fantastic in a burrito bowl with rice, beans, salsa, and more!
Storage
Store any leftover carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.
Crispy Instant Pot Carnitas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder or butt cut into 4 equal pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup fresh orange juice about 2 large oranges
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 yellow onions quartered
- 8 cloves garlic smashed or minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, olive oil, cumin, oregano, chile powder, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Rub the seasoning mixture over the pork pieces.
- Add the orange juice, lime juice, onions, and garlic to the Instant Pot inner pot.
- Place the pork pieces in the inner pot on top of the onion and garlic mixture.
- Close and lock the lid.
- Press manual high pressure and adjust the cooking time to 60 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished, let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes.
- Turn the pressure release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- While the pressure is releasing, preheat your oven to broil.
- Carefully remove the pork pieces to a greased rimmed baking sheet.
- Shred the pork and spread it into an even layer on the baking sheet. You can remove any excess fat, if you prefer.
- Broil the pork for about 4-5 minutes, or until the top and edges of the pork are crispy and browned.
Notes
- Ancho chile powder: This type of chile powder is mild and smoky. It doesn’t add heat, but it does add some great flavor.
- Kosher salt: If you’re using table salt, just use 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Optional: Feel free to add 1-2 seeded and diced jalapeño peppers along with the onions and garlic.
- Nutrition values are estimates.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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