Pork Carnitas Tacos
Pork shoulder, quick-braised with orange juice and spices in the pressure cooker, and then broiled to crispy perfection, provides the base for our Pork Carnitas Tacos. For a lower carb count, swap lettuce cups for the corn tortillas.
Pork shoulder, quick-braised with orange juice and spices in the pressure cooker, and then broiled to crispy perfection, provides the base for our Pork Carnitas Tacos. For a lower carb count, swap lettuce cups for the corn tortillas.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves
- 1 1/2 cups fresh orange juice
- 6 cloves (minced)
- 1 cup onion (thinly sliced)
- 5 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
- 3 pounds pork shoulder (boneless, boston butt, trimmed and
- 14 corn tortillas (6-inches)
- 2 1/2 cups tomato (chopped)
- lime wedges (optional)
- Carbohydrate 2.78680286033354 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.251372857599664 g
- Fiber 0.295928569393455 g
- Protein 0.342132857646638 g
- Saturated Fat 0.0192792857478665 g
- Serving Size 1 1 serving (224g)
- Sodium 175.060514289452 mg
- Sugar 2.49087429094009 g
- Trans Fat 0.0556182858010771 g
- Calories 13 calories
Step-by-step
- Combine orange juice, onion, chipotle chili powder, cumin, salt, and garlic in a 6-quart Instant Pot.
- Add pork, tossing to coat.
- Close and lock the lid of the Instant Pot. Turn the steam release handle to Sealing position.
- Press Manual; select High Pressure, and use [-] or [+] to choose 29 minutes pressure cooking time.
- When time is up, turn cooker off. Open the cooker using Natural Pressure Release.
- Remove pork from cooker with a slotted spoon; shred with 2 forks to measure 4 3/4 cups meat. Remove and discard any chunks of fat.
- Spread pork in a single layer on a jelly-roll pan or broiler pan lined with foil.
- Skim fat from cooking liquid in cooker; discard fat. With lid off, press Sauté, and use Adjust to select “More” mode.
- When cooking liquid comes to a boil, turn cooker off.
- Press Sauté, and use Adjust to select “Normal” mode. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring frequently.
- Preheat broiler. Drizzle pork with 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Discard remaining cooking liquid, or set aside for serving, if desired.
- Broil pork 3 to 5 minutes or until pork is browned and edges are crispy, turning pork occasionally.
- Heat tortillas in microwave according to package directions.
- Spoon 1/3 cup shredded pork mixture onto each tortilla.
- Top each with about 3 tablespoons tomato and about 1 1/2 teaspoons cilantro.
- Serve with lime wedges, if desired.
Pork Carnitas Tacos: My Weeknight Winner
As a busy mom of two, juggling work, school runs, and everything in between, finding time to cook a delicious and satisfying meal can feel like climbing Mount Everest. I need recipes that are quick, easy, and most importantly, delicious enough to please even my picky eaters. That's why my Pork Carnitas Tacos have become a weeknight staple. This recipe allows for flexibility, making it easy to adjust based on my family's preferences and the time I have available. Sometimes I use store-bought tortillas for extra convenience, and other times I opt for homemade for that extra special touch. The beauty of this dish lies in its adaptability.
The aroma alone is enough to draw the family to the kitchen. The tender, juicy pork, infused with the smoky warmth of chipotle peppers and the brightness of orange juice, is simply irresistible. It's a flavour explosion in every bite, perfectly balanced and far from the mundane. The pressure cooker makes this recipe unbelievably efficient – the slow cooking tenderizes the pork perfectly, making it almost melt-in-your-mouth. This method saves me a ton of time, which is crucial on those crazy weeknights. I can usually get the entire thing cooked while the kids are doing their homework or playing. The broiling step adds a lovely crispy edge, which is my kids' favourite part.
These tacos are versatile. One night I might serve them in traditional corn tortillas, while another night I’ll use lettuce cups for a lower-carb option. This caters to my family's changing needs and dietary preferences. Sometimes we swap the cilantro for a little extra salsa – and sometimes we even add a dollop of sour cream or guacamole for a more indulgent meal. The kids love to personalize their tacos, adding their own favourite toppings. This makes the whole dining experience more fun and interactive. It’s a perfect example of a dish that’s both delicious and effortlessly adaptable to fit any occasion or family preference. I often double the recipe, knowing that leftovers make amazing lunch for the next day!
The ingredients are simple, easily accessible, and surprisingly affordable. It’s the kind of recipe that gets better with leftovers, too. The flavours deepen and meld together beautifully, making the second day’s meal even better than the first. The ease, deliciousness, and adaptability of this recipe have made it a firm favourite in our household. If you are looking for a simple, crowd-pleasing meal that everyone will love, these pork carnitas tacos are it. Seriously, give them a try! You won't regret it.
Beyond the delicious food, the joy of preparing this meal is about more than just cooking. It’s about sharing a meal together, creating memories, and fostering that sense of connection within our family. It’s about slowing down, even just for a little while, and savoring the simple pleasures of family life. The process of making these tacos, from prepping the ingredients to savoring the final product, has become a cherished ritual in our home. And that, in the end, is just as satisfying as the deliciousness of the tacos themselves.
