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Pork Carnitas sprinkle with cotija and cilantro

Instant Pot Carnitas

Course: Main
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Instant Pot
Difficulty: Easy
Number of Ingredients: 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 478kcal
Author: Marilyn
Skip the long simmering time and make juicy, tender, shredded pork shoulder (Boston butt) right in your Instant Pot. Spread the shredded pork on tortillas, top with onions, cheese, and cilantro for a fantastic Mexican feast.
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Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 3 ½ lb boneless pork shoulder cut into 2 pieces
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil approx.
  • 2 sweet onions, coarsely chopped such as Vidalia
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ cups Chicken Stock or ready-to-use chicken broth
  • 1 orange, zest and juice from see tip
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 24 corn tortillas (taco size)
  • Cotija cheese crumbled
  • Chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges optional
  • Salsa optional

Instructions

  • Cut roast into 2 pieces that will each fit easily inside the pot. Pat pork dry. Rub pork all over with salt and pepper.
  • Set your Instant Pot to sauté on Normal. When the display says Hot, add 1 tablespoon (15 mL) oil and heat until shimmering. Working with one piece at a time, add pork and cook, turning, for 8 minutes or until browned on all sides, adding more oil as needed between batches. Using tongs, transfer pork to a plate as it is browned.
  • Set aside ½ cup chopped onions for garnish. Add the remaining onions to the fat remaining in the pot and cook, stirring often, for 5 to 7 minute or until softened. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant. Press Cancel. Stir in chicken stock, orange zest, orange juice, oregano leaves, red pepper flakes, and bay leaves, scraping off any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Return pork and any accumulated juices to the pot, turning to coat.
  • Close and lock the lid and turn the steam release handle to Sealing. Set your Instant Pot to pressure cook on High for 60 minutes.
  • When the cooking time is done, press Cancel and let stand, covered, until the float valve drops down. Remove the lid. The pork should be fork-tender. (If more cooking time is needed, continue pressure cooking on High for 5 minutes, then quickly release the pressure.)
  • Transfer pork to a large bowl or cutting board. Using two forks, shred pork. Discard any excess fat.
  • Meanwhile, discard all but ⅔ cup liquid from the pot. Discard bay leaves. Set your Instant Pot to sauté on High. Add shredded pork to the pot and cook, stirring often, until liquid has evaporated and pork is slightly crispy.
  • Garnish with cotija and cilantro. Serve with salsa and lime wedges, if using.

Notes

You can substitute ⅔ cup orange juice and 2 tablespoons orange zest for the orange. If using dried, use 2 teaspoons dried orange zest.
Shredded pork can also be seared under the broiler instead of in the Instant Pot. To do this, omit step 6. Preheat broiler. Arrange pork on a baking sheet and broil until desired crispness. Continue with step 7.

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 895mg | Potassium: 1068mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 3mg