| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 2 hr 55 min |
| Active: | 1 hr |
| Yield: | 4 to 6 servings |
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus additional as needed
- 1 teaspoon ancho chile powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- One 3-pound boneless pork butt, trimmed and cut into 3-inch pieces (about 4 pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
- 1 cup Mexican lager
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (from 1 navel orange)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 to 2 limes)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- Lime wedges, for serving
- Corn tortillas, for serving
- Cotija cheese
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Pickled Shallots and Red Onions (recipe follows)
- Salsa
- 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- Kosher salt
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine the cumin, salt, ancho chile powder, paprika and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pork, then drizzle on the oil and toss to coat. Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute and cook the pork in batches until all sides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to a plate and set aside. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beer, orange juice and lime juice and stir to combine, making sure the pork is mostly submerged in the liquid. Select the cancel button on the pot.
- Follow the manufacturer’s guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer’s guide for natural release. After 15 minutes, being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. The pork should be tender and cooked all the way through. Transfer the pork to a large bowl and shred with two forks.
- Set the Instant Pot® to high saute and bring the liquid to a boil. Mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. While whisking, pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling liquid. Let boil until slightly thickened, 2 more minutes. Press the cancel button.
- Ladle the cooking liquid over the pork and season with salt, to taste. Serve with lime wedges, tortillas and desired toppings.
- Combine the white vinegar, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the onions and shallots to a pint jar and pour the liquid over the top. Let cool completely. Refrigerate up to 1 week.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 6 servings |
| Calories | 461 |
| Total Fat | 26 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Protein | 32 g |
| Cholesterol | 107 mg |
| Sodium | 859 mg |
Reviews
Love this recipe! The carnitas taste amazing and I love the pickled onions as well. It was a hit with my guests as well
This recipe sounds amazing! Question… How long to braise in a dutch oven if no instant pot available?
If don not have instapot how long and what temp in oven or stovetop?
This recipe is so easy and amazing. Not gonna lie, it’s not like the carnitas at the neighborhood bodegas, but darn close. Highly recommend!
I love this recipe, it has become my go to for carnitas. I also add some Mexican oregano and use ground arbol chiles in place of the cayenne. The only other change is that I use some of the braising liquid to moisten the meat instead of adding cornstarch and making a sauce. Kudos Valerie!
This is the best carnitas recipe. We have made it numerous times and everyone we have made it for LOVES it. We add a little more heat since we like things a little spicier (we add extra cayenne and Serrano rather than jalapeño)
Also we serve the sauce separately and add what we want to our own plate.
Also we serve the sauce separately and add what we want to our own plate.
My sons loved it!
We were disappointed in that we couldn’t taste all of the spices in this dish. And it seemed as though-the spice was plentiful. It was good but I think I would have to add more seasoning in order for me to make this again. We did the onions as well along with the beans and rice.
I saw this show and waited for a chance to make the whole meal two types of tacos the beans and rice. All great but I might make the meats the day before so they are less soupy and to have more time with family it was a lot of steps. And agree with another jalapeño to the pork.
Best food I’ve eaten in a while!! Definitely gonna be a repeat meal!