If you're looking for a tasty, versatile recipe that can be enjoyed in different ways, look no further than this Instant Pot Carnitas recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of the Instant Pot, you can create delicious and tender pork carnitas that can be served as tacos, nachos, or a burrito bowl. Here's how it's done:
Ingredients:
- 4-5 lbs pork loin, cut into chunks (excess fat trimmed off)
- olive oil
- salt and pepper as seasoning for pork chunks
For Mojo Sauce:
- 1 cup beer OR chicken stock
- 1 head of garlic. peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (or 3 drops of lime vitality)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
1. Sprinkle both sides of pork chunks with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to Instant Pot ( enough to fully cover the bottom) and select Saute. Once hot, add 1/3-1/2 off the pork (whatever will fit without overlapping), and brown on all sides. Repeat until all pork is browned, removing to a clean plate as you go. You may need to add more olive oil for last batch. Turn off heat when done.
2. While pork chunks are cooking, whisk together all ingredients for mojo sauce.
3. Add all pork and sauce back to Instant Pot, stirring to combine. Close lid and set vent to sealing. Cook on Manual for 30 minutes, following with natural release (will take 15-20 minutes.)
4. Set oven on broil.
5. Remove lid from Instant Pot. Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Shred pork using two forks, then pur about 1/3 of sauce over meat, tossing to combine. Broil for about 5 minutes until the edges of the pork start becoming crispy. Remove from oven, pour a second third of juices over pork, toss to combine, then broil again. Repeat a third time and meat will be ready.
6. Now comes the fun part where you get to choose your toppings and serving style of choice! Here are some of our family faves:
Tacos: corn tortillas with carnitas, guacamole, cojita cheese, cilantro, and salsa verde
Nachos: favorite chips with carnitas, queso, cojita cheese, cilantro, sliced cherry tomatoes, and salsa verde
Burrito Bowl: carnitas, Spanish yellow rice, black beans, cojita cheese, and cilantro
Make it your own and let me know what you used for toppings!
This Instant Pot Carnitas recipe is a great option for busy weeknights when you need something quick, tasty, and versatile. Plus, it's a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy, whether they're eating tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls. Give it a try and see how delicious and easy it is to make!
I'm asked for this recipe all the time, year round. I wanted to make it easy to share, so here ya go! You can print it here.
It's fabulous over baked potatoes, too. We actually have to double it to even have leftovers.
How many of you, after being mostly stuck at home for ten months, are going stir crazy? One outlet we have found is in the kitchen.
If you've followed me for any length of time, you know our youngest child has had a passion for cooking since she was seven. As a wife and mother, I've been cooking for decades. This lockdown time has led my husband and other two children to become adventurous with recipes as well, and it has truly been fun for all of us.
The other night, I tried this new recipe for chicken gnocchi soup. It was absolutely delicious, but it made sooooooo much. So I posted on my FB page, offering bowls to anyone who wanted to come and get some. We had a few takers, but people who didn't live close by kept asking for the recipe.
I'm including both a link to the original recipe (because you have to give credit where credit is due!), plus all the ways I tweaked it. Hope you love it as much as we did!
Here's the original:
You can click the "Jump to Recipe" button at the top of the page.
Here are my tips:
- I used center cut bacon. It has less fat and is easy to find in the store.
- I always use Vidalia/sweet onions in any recipe that calls for yellow onion.
- Only used 1 carrot.
- Double the garlic (or more.) This is my standard advice when using garlic.
- I used pink Himalayan salt rather than seasoned salt.
- It was pretty peppery, so you may want to cut it by 1/2 tsp.
- I always use organic chicken stock over broth. It has more nutrients and flavor.
- 3 chicken breasts, pounded.
- 2lbs gnocchi, cuz you can't go wrong with that yumminess.
- Highly recommend adding the Boursin. I used garlic and herb.
I would love to hear what you think of the soup. And if you want more tips or to follow our hilarious shenanigans, check out Old Souls with New Ways.
