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Tender Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe Perfect for Crispy Edges Every Time

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This recipe delivers tender, juicy pork carnitas cooked in an Instant Pot and finished with crispy edges, perfect for tacos or bowls. Ready in under 90 minutes, it combines simple ingredients and fuss-free steps for a flavorful, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder, well-marbled
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed preferred)
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground chipotle or smoked paprika (optional)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth or water

Instructions

  1. Trim and cut the pork shoulder into 3-inch chunks, removing excess fat.
  2. In a large bowl, toss pork chunks with salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and chipotle paprika until evenly coated.
  3. Set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and add olive oil. Brown pork pieces in batches, about 3 minutes per side, until golden. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  5. Pour in orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth, scraping the bottom to loosen browned bits.
  6. Return pork to the pot, add bay leaves, lock the lid, and set to ‘Manual’ or ‘Pressure Cook’ on high for 60 minutes.
  7. Allow natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  8. Remove pork chunks and shred with two forks. Discard bay leaves.
  9. Preheat broiler or heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  10. Spread shredded pork evenly on a baking sheet or skillet. Broil for 5-7 minutes, turning once, until edges are crispy and caramelized, or cook in skillet in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.

Notes

Sear pork in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure a good crust. Use natural pressure release to keep pork tender. Crisp edges under broiler or in a cast iron skillet for best texture. Fresh citrus juice enhances brightness. Shred pork while warm for fluffier texture. If pork feels dry, toss with cooking juices before crisping.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot carnitas, crispy carnitas, pork carnitas, easy carnitas recipe, pressure cooker carnitas, Mexican pork, tender pork, crispy edges

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/tender-instant-pot-carnitas-recipe-perfect-for-crispy-edges-every-time/