Name: Authentic Mexican Carnitas in a Pressure Cooker
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Ingredients: 4 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces; 3 oranges, juiced; 1 lime, juiced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Enjoy the succulent flavor of authentic Mexican carnitas made in a fraction of the time with a pressure cooker. This recipe yields juicy and tender pork with crispy edges, perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply enjoying on its own. With a few simple ingredients and an easy cooking process, you can have an impressive and flavorful dish that will transport you straight to the streets of Mexico. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this foolproof recipe!

Ingredients

4 lbs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
3 oranges, juiced
1 lime, juiced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the orange juice, lime juice, minced garlic, cumin, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
Add the pork shoulder pieces to the bowl, making sure they are evenly coated with the marinade. Allow the pork to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
Set your pressure cooker to sauté mode. Heat the vegetable oil in the pressure cooker pot.
Once the oil is hot, add the marinated pork shoulder pieces to the pot. Brown the pork on all sides for about 5 minutes to develop a nice crust.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits.
Close the pressure cooker lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Make sure the pressure release valve is in the sealed position.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then, carefully release any remaining pressure by turning the pressure release valve to the venting position.
Open the lid and use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork carnitas to a baking sheet.
Preheat your broiler to high. Place the sheet of carnitas under the broiler and broil for about 5 minutes until the edges are crispy and browned.
Remove from the oven and let the carnitas cool slightly. Shred the meat using two forks.
Serve the delicious carnitas in tacos, burritos, or any desired dish. It's perfect on its own or topped with your favorite toppings like salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

Interesting Facts

Carnitas originated in Mexico and are traditionally made by simmering pork in lard until tender. This pressure cooker recipe allows you to achieve the same delicious flavors and textures in a fraction of the time.

Using citrus juices like orange and lime not only adds flavor to the carnitas, but also helps to break down the protein in the pork, resulting in a tender and juicy final product.

Broiling the shredded carnitas after pressure cooking them adds a crispy and caramelized texture to the edges, giving them a perfect balance of tenderness and crispiness.