Having lived in the Bay Area, we enjoyed a plethora of Mexican food. We don’t have nearly as many options here in Vancouver, Canada although it is getting better. More authentic Mexican restaurants are popping up. So for awhile, I had to take matters into my own hands. Here is a super easy carnitas recipe for the pressure cooker.

Ingredients

2lbs pork butt/shoulder roast
1 bay leaf
4 garlic cloves, bruised
1T kosher salt
1-2 cups of water

Instructions

  1. Cut up the roast into 1.5″-2″ cubes and put all the ingredients in the liner of the Instant Pot.
  2. Close and lock the lid, making sure the sealing knob is on sealing. Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes.
  3. Once the cooking is done, you can release the pressure by the quick or natural pressure release.
  4. Option 1: Heat up a frying pan and add some oil. Fry the pieces of pork until nicely browned on both sides. Option 2: Spread the meat out on a sheet pan and place under broiler until nicely browned and turn them over and brown the other side.
  5. Serve with rice, beans, salsa, guacamole and sour cream. You can also make burritos or tacos.

Let me know how they turn out for you.

Easy Carnitas

Having lived in the Bay Area, we enjoyed a plethora of Mexican food. We don't have nearly as many options here in Vancouver, Canada although it is getting better. More authentic Mexican restaurants are popping up. So for awhile, I had to take matters into my own hands. Here is a super easy carnitas recipe for the pressure cooker.
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: mexican, pressure cooker

Equipment

  • 1 Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs pork butt/shoulder roast
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 garlic cloves bruised
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1-2 cups of water

Instructions

  • Cut up the roast into 1.5″-2″ cubes and put all the ingredients in the liner of the Instant Pot.
  • Close and lock the lid, making sure the sealing knob is on sealing. Pressure cook on high for 45 minutes.
  • Once the cooking is done, you can release the pressure by the quick or natural pressure release.
  • Option 1: Heat up a frying pan and add some oil. Fry the pieces of pork until nicely browned on both sides. Option 2: Spread the meat out on a sheet pan and place under broiler until nicely browned and turn them over and brown the other side.
  • Serve with rice, beans, salsa, guacamole and sour cream. You can also make burritos or tacos.

10 Comments

  • Oh my stars!! Flo, this recipe is to die for!! I’m on the Whole 30 eating plan and so tired of chicken. When I watched your video on making Carnitas I was interested. I made it tonight, served it with lettuce cups for me (tortillas for dh), avocados and tomatoes (salsa and cheese for him). So yummy! Thank you for posting this and for all your videos. They/You have given me the confidence to use my IP for more than yogurt.

  • Hi Flo Lum, your youtube channel inspired me to get my own IP and i haven’t looked back! Just a question about your recipe here, why are you not browning the meat using the saute function before pressure cooking it like the other recipes?

  • I’ve been pouring over your Instant Pot videos and then discovered your blog! I’m also in Vancouver, Canada and LOVE Carnitas! The IPSmart is on my Christmas Wish List so I’ve been scouring the internet for ideas and recipes – this one goes to the top of the list! Thanks for all your great ideas and videos – I’ve really been enjoying them!!

    • Awesome! We used to live in California where there was authentic Mexican food practically around every corner. So we crave it a lot! Hope you`ll like it! I also have a stovetop version on the blog somewhere.

  • I made this carnitas this past weekend and loved it! I used it for a taco/burrito bar. This recipe was so easy and so delicious. Thank you!

  • Hi Flo Lum, I just got an Smart IP and found your site looking for recipe ideas. Can you tell me how to use the script? When I download, it goes to Dropbox but I cannot open it. Any instructions? Thank you

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