Best 7 Instant Pot Carnitas Recipes

INSTANT POT® CRISPY CHICKEN CARNITAS

Steps:

• Combine cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over chicken breasts on both sides.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear chicken breasts, 1 to 2 minutes per side, working in batches so chicken sears rather than steams. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add garlic and onion to the hot cooker; cook and stir until browned evenly on all sides, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pressure cooker along with lime juice, chicken broth, cilantro, chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, orange zest and juice, and bay leaf. Close and lock the lid. Set timer for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts.
• Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, milk, chipotle pepper and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, salt, and garlic powder to an electric blender. Blend chipotle sauce until smooth.
• Release pressure from the cooker using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Transfer chicken breasts to a clean surface and reserve cooking liquid. Shred chicken meat using 2 forks. Place in a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup cooking liquid over chicken; toss to coat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the surface of a baking sheet. Add chicken to the sheet and drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top. Stir to coat evenly.
• Broil chicken in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Toss chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid and rotate the pan for even broiling. Continue broiling until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve with chipotle sauce.

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 CARNITAS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a blender, add Frank's Original Red Hot, orange juice, garlic, chipotle peppers, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, paprika, dried oregano, and cinnamon. Blend on high until smooth.
• Place pork shoulder in Instant Pot. Pour marinade over pork and turn with tongs to coat.
• Put the cover on the Instant Pot. Be sure the pressure valve is set to "Sealing." Use the manual setting to set the timer for 40 minutes.
• When the timer goes off, turn the pressure valve to "Venting" to release pressure quickly. **Be sure to read all Instant Pot instructions carefully for safety.** Be sure Instant Pot is turned off and unplugged before carefully removing the cover.
• Transfer pork from the pot to a bowl. Use two forks to shred the pork. Pour some of the cooking liquid over the carnitas and toss to coat.
• Serving options: Build carnitas on top of nachos or tacos.
• Enjoy!

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a multicooker, toss together pork, chiles, 4 teaspoons salt, oregano, cumin, and cayenne. Add orange and lime juices, onion, garlic, and 1 cup water. Secure lid of multicooker. Cook on "Meat/Stew" setting for 50 minutes. Once time is complete, allow pressure to release naturally. Carefully remove lid. Discard onions and garlic. In the bowl of the multicooker, use two forks to shred pork into bite-size pieces.
• Using tongs, place a tortilla directly on a gas flame or in a heavy skillet over high heat. Cook, flipping once, until lightly toasted and charred in places, about 30 seconds. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Serve carnitas in tortillas with cabbage, avocado, cilantro, cheese, and a squeeze of lime.

INSTANT POT CARNITAS

Steps:

• Cut pork into 2" cubes and place in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, and paprika. Toss pork with olive oil, then sprinkle spice mixture overtop and toss again.
• Place pork in the instant pot, then add orange juice, onion, and garlic.
• Place lid on instant pot and move vent to SEALING.
• Cook on MANUAL on HIGH PRESSURE for about 60 minutes until the pork is cooked all the way through.
• QUICK RELEASE pressure, then remove pork from the Instant Pot with a slotted spoon and shred.

INSTANT POT® PORK CARNITAS TACO BOWLS WITH PICKLED ONIONS

Steps:

• On 6-quart Instant Pot®, select SAUTE; adjust to normal. Heat oil in insert. Add pork; sear 3 to 5 minutes on all sides until browned. Add yellow onions and garlic; cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened. Select CANCEL; stir in 3/4 cup tomatillo salsa and seasoning mix.
• Secure lid; set pressure valve to SEALING. Select MANUAL; cook on high pressure 90 minutes. Select CANCEL. Keep pressure valve in SEALING position to release pressure naturally.
• Transfer pork to cutting board; shred with two forks. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Discard remaining cooking liquid. Return pork, reserved cooking liquid and lime juice to the insert. Stir to combine.
• Meanwhile, beat water, vinegar, sugar and salt in medium bowl with whisk until sugar and salt dissolve. Add red onion; toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Drain before using.
• Heat tortilla bowls as directed on package. Using slotted spoon or tongs, lift pork out of cooking liquid; divide among tortilla bowls. Top with remaining tomatillo salsa, pickled onions, Cotija cheese, avocados and cilantro.

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.