Sammy Makes Easy Pork Carnitas in an Instant Pot at Home | Better Homes & Gardens

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: pork tenderloin

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Pork tenderloin is leaner, while pork butt is often less expensive.

lard

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Olive oil is healthier, while vegetable oil is usually cheaper.

In a blender, add water, onion, garlic, salt, marjoram, thyme, pepper, cumin, and 4 whole cloves with the stems removed and blend until smooth.

Set the blended mixture aside.

In the Instant Pot, add a little vegetable oil and heat it up.

Add the pork in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding to ensure browning instead of steaming.

Season each batch of pork with a little salt and pepper for flavor.

Once all the pork is browned, bring it back to the pot.

Add the onion mixture, a couple bay leaves, orange juice, and a couple tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to the pot.

Seal the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for about one hour.

After one hour, allow for a 20 minute natural release before opening the lid.

Move all the pork pieces into a big bowl and shred with two forks.

Spoon some of the cooking liquid over the shredded pork to keep it moist.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary