Are you a fan of Carnitas? if so you will love this super simple and easy Instant Pot Carnitas Rice Bowl. Carnitas known as “little meats” in Spanish are so good and this delicious pressure cooker pork and rice dish is no exception! Trust me, you’ll love it!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Unbelievably Easy: With the Instant Pot, this Carnitas recipe is a breeze to make, simplifying your cooking process.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of spices and slow pressure-cooking technique in the Instant Pot makes these carnitas irresistibly tasty.
- Versatile: These Instant Pot Carnitas can be served in a variety of ways - in tacos, burritos, or bowls, offering you a range of meal options.
Carnitas meat is fantastic to use in so many dishes. You can use carnitas in tacos, burritos, quesadilla, and nachos. This recipe works well with both white rice and Instant Pot Spanish Rice. You may want to serve this with a fresh mango salad or a Pineapple Salsa!
📋 Ingredients
- Pork Shoulder Meat: Known for tenderness and rich flavor in slow-cooked carnitas.
- Medium Onion, Diced: Adds savory depth and texture, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Minced Garlic: Infuses a robust and aromatic garlic flavor, contributing to the savory richness.
- Water: Serves as the cooking liquid, aiding in pork tenderization and creating a flavorful broth.
- Lime Juice: Provides a zesty and citrusy element, adding brightness and balancing pork richness.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Contributes a tangy acidity, enhancing the overall complexity of the carnitas.
- Tomato Paste: Adds depth and a touch of sweetness, enriching the flavor profile.
- Cumin: Brings warm and earthy notes, complementing pork and other spices for a well-rounded taste.
- Chili Powder: Adds a hint of smokiness and moderate heat, contributing to bold and flavorful carnitas.
- Salt: Enhances natural flavors, ensuring a well-seasoned and balanced dish.
- Cooking Oil: Used to sauté and brown pork, adding a rich and savory layer to the carnitas.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Variations For Added Flavor
- Citrus Burst: Experiment with different citrus fruits like orange or grapefruit juice for a varied citrusy flavor.
- Adobo Influence: Include a couple of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky and spicy kick.
- Herb-Infused: Toss in fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary for added aromatic complexity.
- Sweet and Spicy Maple Glaze: Mix in a touch of maple syrup and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy glaze.
- Garlic-Lover's Delight: Double up on the minced garlic for an extra punch of garlic goodness.
🔪How To Make a Carnitas Rice Bowl?
Step One: Turn your Instant Pot on to saute function. Set aside and allow to heat up while you make the marinade. In a small bowl add your water, lime juice apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder and salt. Mix well until fully incorporated.
Step Two: Once the Instant Pot is hot, pour in the cooking oil. Add the onions and saute for around 3 minutes until cooked well. Place the Pork into the pot and pour the marinade over the meat. Top with minced garlic.
Step Three: Cook on high pressure for 1 hour. Once done, allow the meat to naturally release for 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the Instant Pot to a cutting board. Shred with two forks.
Step Four: Enjoy the pork carnitas with rice, on a taco topped with cilantro and lime or just by itself.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Sauté for Extra Flavor: This will help to lock in the flavors and give the meat a nice color.
- Natural Release is Key: Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure after cooking. This helps the meat to retain its juices, making it more tender and flavorful.
- Add Freshness with Toppings: Don't forget to add fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime. These additions bring a freshness that balances out the rich flavors of the carnitas.
💭 FAQs
The best cuts are pork butt and boneless pork shoulder; both give flavorful, tender shredded pork.
Yes, you can use pork tenderloin or pork loin, but they may not be as flavorful as pork butt or shoulder.
You can serve carnitas in corn tortillas for tacos or in burrito bowls.
Yes, you can make a slow cooker version, but the Instant Pot speeds up the process.
Orange juice is a popular choice for adding flavor to pressure cooker carnitas.
After pressure cooking, sauté the shredded pork in the Instant Pot to crisp it up.
While both involve tender pork, carnitas are often crisped after shredding for added texture and flavor.
Refrigeration: If you have leftover carnita meat, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze carnitas. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Label containers with the date for reference. You can freeze carnita meat for 2-3 months.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Carnitas:
- Black Bean Salad: A refreshing black bean salad with corn, tomatoes, and cilantro adds a burst of freshness.
- Refried Beans: Creamy refried beans make a hearty and classic Mexican side dish.
- Salsa Verde: Tangy and spicy salsa verde adds a kick and zesty flavor to your bowl.
- Cilantro Lime Rice: Light and fluffy rice infused with cilantro and lime complement the carnitas perfectly.
- Pico de Gallo: Fresh pico de gallo with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice adds a burst of flavor.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2.5 Lbs Pork Shoulder meat
- ½ Onion diced
- 3 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- ¾ cup Water
- ¼ cup Lime Juice
- 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
- 1 tablespoon Cumin
- 3 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Cooking Oil
Instructions
- Turn your instant pot on to sauté function. set aside and allow to heat up while you make the marinade
- In a small bowl or measuring cup, add your water, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, and salt. mix well until fully incorporated.
- Once your instant pot is hot, pour in your cooking oil. add your onions, and sauté for about 3 minutes until cooked well.
- Place your pork in the pot, and pour the marinade over the meat, and top with the minced garlic.
- Close the instant pot by twisting the lid on and closing the valve by pushing it away from you. set the instant pot to high pressure for 1 hour. it will take some time to build pressure.
- Once your timer is done, allow the instant pot to naturally release for another 15 minutes.
- Once the 15 minutes is done, manually release the instant pot by using a hot pad or towel to twist the valve toward you and open.
- Remove the meat from the instant pot to a cutting board. shred with two forks.enjoy your pork carnitas with rice, and a taco topped with cilantro and lime, or just by itself! enjoy!
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