Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe

Name: Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon brown sugar (light or dark); 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin; 2 1/2 teaspoons ground chili powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 bone-in pork chops; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup beer— preferably Modelo or Corona ({or you can sub broth for the beef}); Juice of 1 lime; 4-6 small tortillas (flour or corn); 1 cup crumbled cheese like cotija, queso fresco, or monetary jack (for garnish); 1/4 cup sour cream (for garnish); 1 avocado, sliced (for garnish); Cilantro or Parsley leaves (for garnish)

Spice up taco night with this Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe. The flavors are rich and the perfect addition to your next meal. The shredded pork also works great in quesadillas, on salads or in rice bowls.

Prep5 min
Cook25 min
Total30 min
Makes2 servings
Calories1053

Ingredients

2 servings

1 tablespoon brown sugar (light or dark)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons ground chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon salt
2 bone-in pork chops
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup beer— preferably Modelo or Corona ({or you can sub broth for the beef})
Juice of 1 lime
4-6 small tortillas (flour or corn)
1 cup crumbled cheese like cotija, queso fresco, or monetary jack (for garnish)
1/4 cup sour cream (for garnish)
1 avocado, sliced (for garnish)
Cilantro or Parsley leaves (for garnish)

Method

1
In a small bowl, combine all of the spice rub ingredients (brown sugar, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt).
2
Sprinkle the spice mix evenly over both sides of the pork chops and rub them to make sure all of the spice rub sticks.
3
Heat your Instant Pot on the Sauté-Normal function. Add the olive oil and let it heat for another minute.
4
When the oil is hot (but not yet smoking) add the pork chops and cook for 2 minutes. Turn the pork chops to the other side and cook for an additional 2 minutes. NOTE: Make sure the pork chops are in a single layer. You want to develop a good sear on each side— this will help add tons of flavor to the final dish!
5
Once the pork chops are seared, add the beer and lime juice. Secure lid and set to pressure cook for 10 minutes. Natural release for at least 10 minutes before releasing the remaining pressure and carefully remove the lid. NOTE: The Instant Pot will take about 5 minutes to come to pressure and then will begin counting down from 10 minutes.
6
Remove the pork chops to a cutting board and shred the meat using two forks— discard the bones. Add the shredded meat back to the pot and switch the Instant Pot to the Sauté-Normal function again.
7
Cook the pork, stirring occasionally, for another 3-5 minutes, or until the liquid has almost completely evaporated.
8
Remove the meat from the Instant Pot and serve with your favorite garnishes.
9
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Reheat for 2 minutes in the microwave or 10 minutes at 400F in the oven.

Notes

This recipe serves 2 adults as an entree (4 if serving with sides). It can easily be halved or doubled. If doubling, make sure to sear the pork chops in two batches so each one has the chance to develop a crust. In addition, you will need 1.5 cups of beer (not 1 cup as stated above) and to cook the carnitas for 55 minutes. You can always substitute 4 Tablespoons of your favorite taco seasoning for the spice rub. You can also substitute the beer for chicken stock.