Cinco De Mayo is just around the corner and authentic Pork Carnitas are a must-have for your menu. I developed this Crispy Pork Carnitas recipe for Mealthy.com for the pressure cooker, so the pork is cooked to perfect tenderness in just about an hour. If you don’t have an instant pot or pressure cooker, no worries, you can make this in your slow cooker as well.
The ingredient list for these Crispy Pork Carnitas may look a bit daunting, but it’s really not that scary. It’s just a matter of measuring out a bunch of spices like cumin, oregano, and paprika to make a super flavorful dry rub for the pork. Then add the pork, chicken broth, and citrus juices into your pressure cooker where the flavor and moisture get infused into the pork.
When the pork is done it will be falling-apart tender so it shreds easily with a fork. Break up the pieces, arrange on a baking sheet and pop it into the oven for just a few minutes to crisp it up, then serve in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
The pork can be cooked a day or two before, then just crisp it up when you’re ready to serve.
Authentic pork carnitas are seasoned with a dry rub and then cooked in the pressure cooker to lock in flavor and moisture. A few minutes in the oven after cooking crisps the pork to give it great texture. Subtle notes of cinnamon and citrus add to the wonderful flavor.
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 3 to 4 pound boneless pork shoulder or butt, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 orange, juiced, about 1/3 cup
- 1 lime. juiced, about 3 tablespoons
- 4 cloves garlic. crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 16 corn tortillas. warmed
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Combine cumin, oregano, paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper and cinnamon and rub mixture all over pork. Let stand 15 to 30 minutes.
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Add pork, chicken broth, orange and lime juice, garlic and bay leaves to pressure cooker. Lock pressure cooker lid in place, select High Pressure, and cook for 50 minutes.
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Let pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then release pressure using quick release.
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Preheat oven to 450°F. Remove the pork from the cooker, reserving juices; discard bay leaves. Arrange pork on rimmed baking sheet, breaking up slightly with fork, and bake, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Skim fat from juice and pour over pork.
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Serve pork with corn tortillas, pico de gallo, queso fresco, and cilantro, if desired.
If you don't have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, this recipe is easy to make in your slow cooker. In Step 2, add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or Low for 8 to 9 hours. Then follow directions for crisping the pork after cooking.
Serve the pork in lettuce leaves to make this Keto friendly.
