What are Carnitas?
The aroma fills the kitchen, a symphony of citrus, spice, and slow-cooked pork. Forget hours spent tending to a simmering pot – today, we’re diving into the world of Instant Pot Carnitas, a recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results in a fraction of the time. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about unlocking incredible flavor and tenderness with minimal effort. Prepare to transform your weeknight dinners and impress your friends with these unbelievably good shredded pork carnitas!
Carnitas, translating to “little meats” in Spanish, are a culinary treasure from Michoacán, Mexico. They represent the ultimate in pork preparation, a celebration of texture and taste. Traditionally, carnitas are made by slow-cooking pork, often the shoulder or butt, in lard, allowing the meat to become incredibly tender and the edges to crisp up beautifully. This process, usually taking many hours, creates a melt-in-your-mouth experience with a complex, savory flavor profile.
With carnitas, the focus is always on tenderness and richness, achieved through a combination of low and slow cooking. The pork is typically seasoned with a blend of spices, citrus, and aromatics, infusing it with deep, layered flavors. Once cooked to perfection, the pork is shredded and often finished with a quick sear or broil, resulting in those irresistible crispy edges that make carnitas truly unforgettable. It’s a dish that embodies comfort food with a touch of elegance, perfect for everything from casual taco nights to festive gatherings.
Why Use an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking, and it’s particularly well-suited for carnitas. Using this amazing kitchen tool offers a range of significant advantages:
Time Savings: The Instant Pot significantly cuts down cooking time. While traditional carnitas can take hours, the Instant Pot delivers comparable results in under an hour, significantly reducing the wait and effort.
Unparalleled Tenderness: Pressure cooking is a master of creating tender meat. The high-pressure environment forces moisture into the meat, breaking down tough fibers and resulting in incredibly soft, melt-in-your-mouth carnitas.
Flavor Infusion: The Instant Pot effectively infuses flavors into the pork. The pressure helps the seasonings and liquids penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is bursting with deliciousness.
Easy Cleanup: The Instant Pot’s non-stick surface and single-pot design make cleanup a breeze. Fewer dishes to wash means more time to savor the delicious meal you’ve created.
Versatility: Beyond carnitas, the Instant Pot is a versatile appliance. It can handle various cooking tasks, from soups and stews to rice and yogurt, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen.
Ingredients You Need for Amazing Instant Pot Carnitas
To make truly remarkable Instant Pot carnitas, you’ll need the right ingredients. The quality of ingredients contributes greatly to the final product. Here’s a shopping list, with some helpful notes:
Pork Shoulder or Butt: This is the star of the show! Choose a pork shoulder (also known as a pork butt). It has excellent marbling (intramuscular fat), which melts during cooking, keeping the meat moist and tender. Aim for a cut of about three to five pounds. This cut of meat does best with a slow and long cook time, which the Instant Pot makes quick and easy.
Onion: A medium yellow or white onion provides a base of savory flavor. Dice it coarsely, you will be removing it at the end.
Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves contribute a pungent aroma and depth of flavor. Use several cloves, minced or roughly chopped.
Fresh Orange Juice: The acidity of orange juice tenderizes the pork and adds a bright, citrusy note. Freshly squeezed is best, but good quality bottled orange juice will do.
Fresh Lime Juice: Lime juice brightens the flavor profile, adding a zesty counterpoint to the richness of the pork.
Bay Leaves: These aromatic leaves infuse a subtle herbal fragrance. You can use a couple.
Mexican Oregano: This is key! It imparts a unique, earthy flavor that’s essential to authentic carnitas. If you can’t find Mexican oregano, regular dried oregano can be substituted, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Ground Cumin: Adds a warm, slightly smoky, and earthy taste.
Salt and Pepper: These are your workhorses! Season generously to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients. Use a good quality coarse salt.
Optional Add-ins for Flavor:
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Adds smoky heat and a touch of complexity. Use a couple, minced, with a spoonful of the adobo sauce.
Other Spices: You can experiment with other spices, such as chili powder, smoked paprika, or coriander, to personalize the flavor.
How to Prepare Perfect Carnitas in Your Instant Pot
Now, let’s get to the fun part: creating these delicious Instant Pot carnitas! Follow these simple steps for success:
Preparing the Pork
Start by preparing the pork. If the pork shoulder has a thick layer of fat, you can trim some of it, leaving about ¼ inch for flavor and moisture. This part is optional, depending on your preference. Then, cut the pork shoulder into large, roughly equal-sized chunks. This helps with even cooking and makes shredding the pork easier later. A good size is about three to four inches per piece. Season the pork generously with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy – the seasoning will permeate the meat during cooking.
Searing the Pork (Optional But Delicious)
While optional, searing the pork before pressure cooking adds a fantastic depth of flavor. Use the Instant Pot’s sauté function. Add a bit of oil, like avocado oil or olive oil, to the pot. Once it’s hot, brown the pork chunks on all sides. This step creates the Maillard reaction, which develops savory, caramelized flavors. Don’t overcrowd the pot; sear the pork in batches if necessary to ensure good browning. Remove the seared pork from the pot and set it aside.
Adding Aromatics and Liquids
Next, add the aromatics and liquids to the Instant Pot. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, cumin, and any optional chipotle peppers to the pot. If you seared the pork, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot (this is called deglazing) to incorporate those flavorful bits. This adds incredible depth to the final carnitas.
Pressure Cooking Time
Now, it’s time to pressure cook! Place the seared pork (or the seasoned pork if you skipped searing) into the Instant Pot, nesting it among the aromatics. Add enough liquid to prevent the Instant Pot from giving you a burn notice. A good rule of thumb is to add about ½ to 1 cup of water or broth. The exact amount will depend on the amount of liquid already released from your pork. Seal the Instant Pot lid, making sure the valve is in the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to high pressure and cook for approximately seventy minutes to ninety minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of the pork pieces. For larger pieces, you may want to cook them a bit longer.
Natural Pressure Release
This is a very important step! Once the cooking time is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure. This means letting the pressure subside on its own, usually for fifteen to twenty minutes. This process ensures the meat remains incredibly tender and juicy. Do not quick-release the pressure, or the pork may become dry.
Shredding the Pork
Carefully remove the cooked pork from the Instant Pot. It will be incredibly tender – almost falling apart. Discard the bay leaves. Place the pork on a large cutting board or in a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork, pulling it apart into bite-sized pieces.
Crisping the Carnitas
This is the step that takes the carnitas from great to truly amazing! Return the shredded pork to the Instant Pot and use the sauté function. Cook for approximately five to ten minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the pork to crisp up around the edges, creating that wonderful texture contrast. Keep an eye on it, as it can burn quickly. Alternative methods for crisping up the carnitas include broiling or pan-frying the shredded pork for a few minutes until it achieves a crispy texture.
Serving Suggestions and Flavorful Variations
The best part about making Instant Pot carnitas is the delicious possibilities!
Classic Serving Ideas:
Carnitas Tacos: The quintessential carnitas dish. Fill warm tortillas with the shredded pork and top with your favorite toppings.
Carnitas Burritos: Load up your burritos with carnitas, rice, beans, cheese, and all the fixings.
Carnitas Nachos: A crowd-pleasing appetizer! Pile tortilla chips high with carnitas, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
Carnitas Quesadillas: A simple but satisfying option: fill tortillas with carnitas and cheese, then cook until golden brown.
Topping Suggestions:
Fresh Cilantro: A must-have for its bright, herbal flavor.
Diced Onion: Provides a crisp, pungent bite.
Salsa: Choose your favorite type, from mild pico de gallo to fiery salsa roja.
Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the flavors and adds acidity.
Guacamole: Creamy avocado is a perfect complement to the rich pork.
Cotija Cheese: Adds a salty, crumbly texture.
Pickled Onions: Offer a tangy and slightly sweet contrast.
Flavor Variations:
Spicy Carnitas: Add more chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the Instant Pot.
Sweet Carnitas: Add a touch of brown sugar or agave nectar for a slightly sweet and savory flavor.
Experiment with Marinades: Pre-marinate the pork shoulder in your favorite flavors (e.g., ancho chili powder, adobo spices) for added depth.
Tips and Techniques for Carnitas Success
Here are some insider tips to help you achieve carnitas perfection every single time:
Don’t Skip the Searing (If You Can): As mentioned earlier, searing the pork before pressure cooking is highly recommended. It significantly enhances the flavor.
Use High-Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the carnitas. Buy the best pork shoulder you can find.
Don’t Overcrowd the Instant Pot: If your pork shoulder is too large to fit comfortably, cut it into smaller chunks. Overcrowding can affect the cooking time and result in less tender meat.
Always Allow for Natural Pressure Release: This step is critical for the tenderness of the pork. Resist the urge to quick-release the pressure.
Adjust Cooking Time Based on Your Instant Pot and Pork: Every Instant Pot is different, and the cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your Instant Pot, as well as the size of the pork pieces. Start with the recommended time, and adjust as needed. If the pork is not falling apart easily after pressure cooking, cook it a little longer.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: After shredding and crisping the pork, taste it and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or other spices at this stage.
Freezer Friendly: Carnitas are great for meal prepping. Cook the carnitas as usual, let them cool, and then freeze them in airtight containers. Thaw and crisp the carnitas as desired.