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Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe Easy Crispy Juicy Perfection Guide

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This Instant Pot pork carnitas recipe delivers crispy, juicy pork with bold Mexican-inspired flavors in about an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or taco cravings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder (well-marbled)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (120 ml)
  • 1/4 cup lime juice (60 ml)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Optional toppings: fresh cilantro, diced onion, sliced radishes, avocado

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut into 3-inch chunks. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Mix salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and Mexican oregano in a small bowl. Rub spice blend all over pork chunks.
  3. Set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ and heat olive oil until shimmering. Brown pork pieces in batches, 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside browned pork.
  4. Turn off sauté mode. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice. Stir to deglaze pot.
  5. Return pork to pot and add bay leaves. Seal lid and set to high pressure for 40 minutes. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then release remaining pressure.
  6. Remove pork and shred with two forks. Discard bay leaves.
  7. Preheat oven broiler to high. Spread shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with reserved cooking liquid or olive oil, and broil 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy. Alternatively, crisp pork in a hot cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
  8. Serve carnitas in warm tortillas topped with fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime.

Notes

Do not skip searing the pork before pressure cooking to lock in flavor and color. Use fresh orange and lime juice for best taste. Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes to keep pork tender. Crisping the pork after cooking is essential for authentic texture and flavor. Watch broiler closely to avoid burning. Pork can be prepped and seasoned the night before. Leftovers reheat well and can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, pork carnitas, easy recipe, crispy pork, Mexican, pressure cooker, tacos, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/instant-pot-pork-carnitas-recipe-easy-crispy-juicy-perfection-guide/