You won’t believe how tender and juicy this shredded pork turns out. Here’s my recipe for carnitas that tastes incredibly indulgent but it’s so simple to make and and comes together in my handy pressure cooker.
These are perfect for taco night with my ridiculously good pico de Gallo but you can serve it over rice, with a side of veggies or over your favorite salad.
Ingredients:
For the Carnitas
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into large pieces
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon chipotle powder
- 1/2 tablespoon pepper
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken or beef broth
Instructions:
- Begin by preparing the boneless pork shoulder. Trim any excess fat and cut the meat into large, manageable pieces. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground cumin, salt, chipotle powder, and pepper. Add the pork pieces to the bowl and use your hands to rub the spice mixture evenly onto the meat, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Transfer the seasoned pork to the Instant Pot. Add the sliced onions, minced garlic, tomato sauce, and chicken or beef broth to the pot, creating a flavorful base for the pork to cook in. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual mode, cooking at high pressure for 50 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully perform a quick release to release any remaining pressure before opening the lid.
- Using tongs, carefully transfer the cooked pork pieces to a large baking sheet. Using two forks, shred the meat into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This step allows the pork to soak up even more flavor and creates that classic carnitas texture.
- To add an extra layer of flavor and texture to the carnitas pour about 1/2 cup of the leftover cooking broth over the shredded meat on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet under the broiler in your oven and broil the pork until the edges become crispy and caramelized, about 5-7 minutes. Keep a close eye on the pork to prevent burning.
- Once the carnitas is nicely crisped up, remove it from the oven and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for the perfect Carnitas every time:
- For maximum flavor, consider marinating the pork in the spice rub overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Be sure to trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder before cooking to prevent the finished dish from becoming greasy.
- Experiment with different levels of spice by adjusting the amount of chipotle powder used in the recipe to suit your taste preferences.
- Don’t skip the broiling step – it adds a delicious crunch to the edges of the carnitas, elevating the overall texture and flavor of the dish.
With its bold, smoky flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, this simple and decadent Carnitas recipe a true crowd-pleaser. Whether served at a summer barbecue, a cozy family dinner, or any other occasion, this dish is guaranteed to impress.
