Instant Pot Carnitas Food

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Pat the pork shoulder dry with paper towels, and cut it into large chunks.
• Lock the lid in place, and make sure the steam release valve is in the sealing position. Select manual (or pressure cook button), high pressure, and set the time to 40 minutes. When the time is up, let the pressure release naturally (this will take about 20 to 30 minutes).
• Line a large baking sheet with foil. Preheat the broiler.
• Enjoy.

CARNITAS FOR THE INSTANT POT OR PRESSURE COOKER

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients into the stainless steel bowl of your Instant Pot, squeezing the juice from the orange halves before placing them into the bowl. Secure the lid, close off the pressure valve and press the Meat/Stew button. Now press the "+" button until 40 minutes is displayed. Allow the cooking cycle to complete, and then allow the pressure to release slowly. Remove the lid when safe to do so and use two forks to shred the pork. You may need to adjust the cooking time if the weight of your meat varies. Serve with more fresh cilantro, diced tomato, onion and jalapeño slices if desired.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth, fresh orange juice, and lime juice with the chili powder, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, and ground cumin. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and set aside.
• Push the "Sauté" button on Instant Pot. Once the display reads "on," add 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the pork shoulder pieces to the container. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and cook until pork is browned on all sides, approximately 1-2 minutes per side. Note: DO NOT use lid while using the "sauté" function on an Instant Pot!
• Once browned, transfer seared pork to a plate and repeat this process with additional olive oil and the rest of pork. Remove browned pork from the Instant Pot and set aside.
• *Optional Step: Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to the container, along with onion, jalapeno, and fresh garlic. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
• Add browned pork back to the pot and pour chicken broth/orange juice mixture over top. Add lid and seal, making sure the steam release handle is positioned toward "sealing."
• Press the "manual" button and set the time to 30 minutes at high pressure. Once the cooking time is up, allow 20-25 minutes for the "natural release" of the steam inside the Instant Pot. After that time, perform a manual "quick release" to vent any remaining steam to release lid, if necessary.
• *Optional Step: A few minutes before the steam is fully released, preheat oven broiler to high and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Transfer pork to the prepared baking sheet and gently shred with two forks. Drizzle with ¼ cup juices from the Instant Pot and toss to combine before spreading into a thin, even layer.
• Place pork under broiler for 4-5 minutes, then remove from oven and add a little more juice before turning the meat to brown the other side. Place back under broiler for another 4-5 minutes or until the pork is nice and crispy on the edges.
• Once pork is under the broiler, press "sauté" on the Instant Pot to reduce the cooking liquid by one half while the pork is broiling.
• When finished broiling, remove baking sheet from oven and serve immediately with the reduced cooking liquid, fresh lime, and chopped cilantro if desired.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• In your Instant Pot, or in a saute pan over medium heat on the stovetop, heat the oil until shimmering and brown the pork on all sides, working in batches if needed. (Transfer the pork to the Instant Pot if you browned it on the stovetop.).
• Add all the remaining ingredients. Place the lid on the pot, turn the pot to the "sealing" position, and select Manual mode and set the time for 20 minutes. Once it finishes cooking after 20 minutes, allow the Instant Pot to manually release for 20 minutes.
• Take off the lid (if the steam valve hasn't dropped, make sure you move the steam value away from "Sealing"). Let the pork cool slightly, then use two forks to shred the meat. It may look like you have way too much liquid, but it will absorb it after you shred the pork.
• Once shredded, use the pork however you like. I like to toast a few tortillas and top them with the pork, pineapple salsa, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Carnitas make a great salad topping, and are also excellent mixed into rice, in a sandwich (try it! trust me!), or reheated until crispy and served with eggs and hot sauce and avocado.
• Note: If the pork is too liquid-y even after shredding and sitting, transfer it to a large pan and cook it on the stovetop until some of liquid evaporates. This is also an excellent way to get the meat golden and crispy (you can also spread it on a sheet pan and broil it for a minute or two)-for tacos and salads, I like to take this extra step to get those crunchy edges.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Sprinkle the pork cubes with the salt, then put the pork into the Instant Pot (or pressure cooker pot). Pour 1 cup of water into the pot, stir, and then spread the lime slices over the top of the pork.
• Pressure cook for 15 minutes with a natural pressure release: Lock the lid on the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 15 minutes in an electric pressure cooker ("Manual" or "Pressure Cook" mode in an Instant Pot), or for 12 minutes in a stovetop PC. Let the pressure come down naturally, about 15 minutes.
• Fry the pork and serve: Unlock the Instant Pot lid and open it away from you - the steam is hot. Remove the lime slices and discard. Scoop the pork to a bowl with a slotted spoon. In a 12-inch fry pan over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil until shimmering. Spread the pork cubes in the frypan in a single layer and cook until the bottom is browned and crispy, about 4 minutes. Move the pork to a platter with a slotted spoon, leaving behind as much of the oil as possible. Serve the pork with the tortillas and accompaniments.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Cut the pork roast into sections to fit neatly in the bottom of the instant pot.
• In the bowl of a blender or food processor, combine orange juice, pepper, salt, onion chunks, garlic, paprika, cumin, oregano, pepper, and jalapeños. Blend until a fairly uniform sauce forms.
• Pour the blender sauce over the pork pieces in the instant pot.
• Secure the lid of the instant pot and cook on the manual setting for approximately 30 minutes (additional time required for the pot to pressurize).
• Carefully release the pressure from the instant pot and remove the lid.
• Using two forks, shred the meat (it should fall apart easily).
• Transfer the meat to a sheet pan and broil for 3-5 minutes until crisped and brown.
• Serve as is or incorporate the meat and remaining juices from the instant pot.

INSTANT POT OR SLOW COOKER PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Slow cooker method:.
• Place pork in slow cooker. Pour in chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice.
• Sprinkle in salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onions, and garlic.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours.
• Leave liquid in slow cooker, remove pork and shred with 2 forks.
• Spray a rimmed 18x13 inch baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray (I use butter wrappers instead from my butter cubes).
• Place pork on baking sheet, pour over 1 cup reserved broth (try and strain out onions when lading broth), drizzle with oil and toss and spread into an even layer.
• Position oven rack near broiler and preheat broiler to high.
• Broil until pork is browned and crispy in places about 3 to 6 minutes.
• Serve warm with tortillas and desired toppings.
• Instant Pot method:.
• Cut pork into 4 chunks and place pork in Instant Pot, pour over chicken broth, orange juice, and lime juice.
• Sprinkle in salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, coriander, chili powder, cayenne pepper, onions, and garlic.
• Cover and seal lid (make sure valve is set to sealing position), press manual or high pressure, and select 60 minutes.
• Once cooking is done, let pressure come down naturally for 10 minutes then use quick release method to release any remaining cooking pressure.
• Once steaming has stopped, remove pork from pressure cooker while leaving broth in pressure cooker.
• Shred pork and proceed with broiling method above.
• Instant Pot method will take approximately 80 minutes plus 10 minutes prep.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Put the pork shoulder, pork belly, lager, chili powder, cumin, coriander, 1 heaping tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a 6-quart Instant Pot® and follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 60 minutes (see Cook's Note). After the pressure cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick release cycle is complete. Be careful of any remaining steam and unlock and remove the lid. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a small bowl, cover and set aside. Set the pot to saute on high and reduce the liquid until almost completely evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Set the pot to off and transfer the reduced sauce to the meat, then toss to coat and serve.
• For crispy carnitas (optional): Transfer the reduced sauce and cooked carnitas to a large nonstick skillet over high heat and cook, undisturbed, for 5 minutes. Toss and continue to cook for about 5 minutes more to crisp other side. Transfer to a paper towel lined platter, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet, and serve.
• Serve the carnitas with the tortillas, pico de gallo, lime wedges, guacamole, onion, cilantro and cabbage.

INSTANT POT CRISPY CARNITAS

Steps:

• In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mojo sauce ingredients until combined. Set aside until ready to use.
• Season pork chunks on all sides with salt and pepper.
• Click the "Sauté" setting on the Instant Pot. Add the oil, followed by half of the pork, and sear - turning every 45-60 seconds or so - until the pork is browned on all sides. Transfer pork to a separate clean plate, and repeat with the remaining pork, searing until it has browned on all sides. Press "Cancel" to turn off the heat.
• Pour in the mojo sauce, and toss briefly to combine with the pork. Close lid securely and set vent to "Sealing".
• Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, followed by a natural release (about 15 minutes).
• Set the oven broiler to high heat.
• Remove the lid of the Instant Pot. Shred the pork with two forks. Then transfer it with a slotted spoon to a large baking sheet. Spoon about a third of the leftover juices evenly on top of the pork and toss to combine. Broil for 4-5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, then half of the remaining juices from the Instant Pot evenly over the pork and toss to combine. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat even more crispy. Remove baking sheet from the oven, then ladle the remaining juices over the pork, and toss to combine.
• Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, then serve warm in tacos, burritos, salads, or whatever sounds good to you! Or, refrigerate pork in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.