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Instant Pot Pork Carnitas are incredibly delicious and easy to make. Ready in under an hour! simplyhappyfoodie.com

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas are incredibly delicious and easy to make. Ready in under an hour! 

Course Dinner
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword pressure cooker carnitas recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 4 - 8
Calories 179 kcal
Author Sandy Clifton

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin
  • 2 teaspoons Chili Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Adobo Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
  • 3 lbs Pork Shoulder, cut into large chunks
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Orange Juice
  • 1 Cinnamon Stick

Optional

  • ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Powder (or more for extra heat)
  • 1 Jalapeño Pepper, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl add the olive oil and spices. Mix well.
  2. Add the pork chunks and stir them to make sure they are completely coated with the oil/spice mixture. Set aside.

  3. Chop the onion into a ½ inch dice or so.

  4. Pour the orange juice into the Instant Pot inner liner.
  5. Add the cinnamon stick.

  6. Add the pork chunks and the chopped onion to the pot and stir just to combine.

  7. Place the lid on the IP and set knob to the Sealing position.

  8. Press the Pressure Cook (or Manual button) or dial, and use the +/- buttons to adjust the time to 35 minutes. Make sure it is set to High Pressure.

  9. After cooking cycle ends, let it sit and naturally release pressure for 15 minutes.
  10. Then Manually release the remaining pressure.

  11. When the pin on the lid drops, and it is safe to open the lid, open it facing away from you, to be safe. Not the kind of facial you want!

  12. Remove meat to a plate or bowl and shred, using two forks. Don’t shred too much as you want to have some slightly bigger pieces.
  13. Very carefully strain the liquid in the pot, (saving the onions, and discarding the cinnamon stick) into a fat separator.
  14. Pour as much of the degreased liquid as you want into a large serving bowl with the pork and the onions, and mix well.

Recipe Notes

Serve warm on your favorite tortillas, on a bun, over a salad, over corn bread.

Garnish with whatever you like. Cilantro, avocado, tomatoes, green onion, salsa, Cotija cheese, sour cream, lime juice.