Pressure Cooker Pork Carnitas {Crispy Mexican Pulled Pork}

These Pressure Cooker Pork Carnitas {Crispy Mexican Pulled Pork} are crispy, yet deliciously moist and full of deep and complex flavors.

Prep time: PT30M

Cook time: PT40M

Total time: PT70M

Rating

5 stars (20 reviews)

Keywords

Mexican Carnitas, Pulled Pork

Ingredients

5 lbs/2.27 kg Pork Shoulder/Butt (bone and skin removed/cut into pieces)
4 large Oranges
1 Lime
1 large Yellow/Brown Onion (chopped)
10 cloves Fresh Garlic (minced)
1 large Jalapeño Pepper (stems/seeds removed/chopped)
2 Cinnamon Sticks
2 Bay Leaves
1-2 TBL Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 TBL Kosher Salt ((or 1.5 tsp Sea Salt))
1 TBL Ground Cumin
2 tsp Dried Oregano
1/4 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Limes
Homemade Pico de Gallo
Fresh Cilantro Leaves
Avocados

Cuisine

Latin
Mexican

Steps

Cut pork into 8-10 pieces and place into bowl.
Mix together salt, cumin, oregano and black pepper.
Pour seasoning mix over pork and massage into pork so that all pieces are completely coated.
Optional Step - heat the fat cap from the pork in the Instant Pot and let the fat render. After the fat has rendered, remove the chunk of fat and leave the beautiful liquid flavorful fat. Deglaze the pot once you have squeezed in the orange juice and added the onions.
Add half the chopped onions and squeeze the juice of one orange (about 1/2 cup) into cooking pot.
Place seasoned pork chunks into cooking pot on top of orange juice and onions.
Add the rest of the onions, garlic, jalapeño, cinnamon sticks and Bay leaves to cooking pot.
Squeeze in the juice of three oranges and two limes.
Lock on Lid and close Pressure Valve. Cook at High Pressure (most machines default to high pressure) for 40 minutes.
When beep sounds, wait 20 minutes and then remove the rest of the pressure.
Prepare Pork and Liquid
- Remove pork from cooking pot and place into a strainer basket to drain off excess liquid.
- Select Sauté/Browning on the pressure cooker and adjust to "low heat." simmer about 10 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- While cooking liquid is simmering, place drained pork into a bowl and with two forks, shred the pork.
- Carefully pour liquid from cooking pot into a fat separator and get ready to crisp the pork.
Crisp the Carnitas (two methods)
- In Cast Iron SkilletHeat cast iron skillet on medium high for 10 minutes. Add olive oil to skillet. Add shredded pork to skillet in a flat layer. Wait one minute and then add in 1/2 cup of the hot liquid. Fry on just one side, until liquid has evaporated and then place on serving platter. Repeat each batch until done.
- Using Mealthy Crisplid or Instant Pot Crisping LidAdd 1/2 cup hot cooking liquid to pressure cooker cooking pot. Place about half the shredded pork into cooking pot in a flat layer. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pork. Place crisping lid over pot. Set temperature on lid to 400 degrees and time to 8 minutes. When crisping lid beeps, remove lid and stir pork. (If more liquid is needed, add 1/4. Pork should not be drenched.) Remove lid and stir pork. Place crisping lid back onto pressure cooker and set temperature to 400 degrees and time to 4 minutes.
Garnish
- Place crisped Carnitas onto serving platter.
- Drizzle about 1/4 cup of hot liquid over Carnitas.
- Squeeze one lime over Carnitas and sprinkle chopped cilantro over pork.
- Serve in tortillas, topped with various garnishes.

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 70 kcal
Carbohydrates: 13 g
Protein: 2 g
Fat: 2 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 1 mg
Sodium: 1150 mg
Sugar: 8 g

Reviews

John M on 2020-09-26 (5 stars):
What a fantastic recipe. I made this with the Pico de Gallo, fresh cabbage slaw and my own home-made corn Tortilla's and the family went crazy for it. My daughter even said it was her most favourite dish I've ever made. Such lovely traditional and fresh Mexican food. Will definitely be making it again.... I don't think I'd have a choice! 😄
IFortuna on 2020-05-29 (5 stars):
This is the best Carnitas recipe I ever tasted. Thank you so much for the recipe. It is even better than my Mexican mama.
Mary R on 2020-01-06 (5 stars):
Made these in my Instant Pot. Absolutely delicious! Followed the recipe exactly except forgot to add the lime juice. Super easy and will definitely be made again. Thank you!
T on 2019-11-03 (5 stars):
This is the best carnitas I have ever had. I only use your recipes and they are always really good. I will be back again and again for sure.
James Nardella on 2019-03-17 (5 stars):
This is amazing. Seriously easy and delicious. What a treat to share with a large group.
Hailey on 2018-12-31 (5 stars):
Hi! I want to double this recipe. Do you know if I cook it for the same amount of time or longer?
David Luty on 2018-09-28 (5 stars):
OMG! I made this last night for our group of foodie friends and I officially made "rock star chef" status. And honestly one of the easiest meals I've ever made. Also made a quick red onion pickle, an easy slaw and radishes / avocado / Cotija cheese sides. I added a PBR beer for a little more liquid. Just an amazing recipe. Thanks so much!!!!
kristin ross on 2018-08-21 (5 stars):
I grew up in LA and there are TONS of great Mexican restaurants with amazing carnitas. I've never been able to make them just right at home....until NOW! This is the most flavorful recipe I've tried in 10 years!!! Followed recipe exactly as is and it had amazing flavor!