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Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos

Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos
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Quick and flavorful Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos featuring tender, juicy pork shoulder pressure cooked with authentic Mexican spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, delivering bold flavors and versatile servings with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 to 3 lbs pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Spices & Seasonings

  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

To Serve

  • Corn or flour tortillas
  • Fresh cilantro (optional garnish)
  • Diced white onion (optional garnish)
  • Sliced radishes (optional garnish)
  • Lime wedges (optional garnish)
  • Crumbled queso fresco (optional garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pork: Cut pork shoulder into large chunks to ensure even cooking and maximum tenderness once pressure cooked.
  2. Season and Sear: Mix ground cumin, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Toss the pork chunks with the seasoning. Using the sauté function of your Instant Pot, brown the pork pieces to lock in flavor and develop a rich crust.
  3. Add Aromatics and Liquids: Add chopped onions, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth into the pot. Stir to combine and deglaze the pan to lift the browned bits, enhancing flavor.
  4. Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for about 25 minutes. Allow the natural pressure release to maintain the best tenderness.
  5. Shred and Crisp: Remove pork and shred with forks. Optionally, spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil briefly in the oven for crispy carnitas edges, adding perfect texture contrast.
  6. Assemble Tacos: Warm tortillas until soft and pliable. Pile on generous servings of carnitas and add your favorite garnishes such as cilantro, diced onion, radishes, lime wedges, or queso fresco.

Notes

  • Use pork shoulder for juicy and flavorful carnitas due to its fat content.
  • Don’t skip searing as it adds deeper flavor complexity.
  • Natural pressure release helps juices redistribute slowly, keeping meat tender.
  • Broiling shredded pork after cooking adds authentic crispy edges.
  • Warm tortillas properly in a dry skillet or wrapped in a damp towel to prevent tearing.

Nutrition

Keywords: Instant Pot, Carnitas, Pork Tacos, Mexican, Quick Dinner, Pressure Cooker, Easy Recipe, Family Friendly

Find it online: https://marysplate.com/instant-pot-carnitas-tacos/