Pork Carnitas prepared in a third of the time. Yes, it’s possible. Once you get over your fear of using that pressure cooker that still sitting in the box in came in. One of my biggest fears, as far as cooking, was the thought of the pressure cooker and all of the terrible stories people tell. I, thank goodness, and knock on wood, have survived the pressure cooker at least 20 times now. Ha, Ha, ha!
People often refer to the pressure cooker as something their grandmother’s used. There are some fairly simple models that are very inexpensive. And then, there are some fancy models, that you can set a timer on and just walk away. I secretly love the scared thrill as the pressure cooker spits and spatters, sounding oh so threatening the whole time it’s doing it’s wonderful cooking.
Click the link to see full recipe for Chipotle Salsa on my blog. https://pinaenlacocina.com/la-taquiza-it-all-starts-with-the-salsa/
Carnitas Under Pressure
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds pork butt/shoulder sliced into 2 inch pieces
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chile ancho powder
- Grapeseed or canola oil
You Will Also Need
- 1 small white onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 serrano or jalapeño sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds optional
- 3 inch piece of cinnamon stick
- 2 chile de arbol
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups chicken broth or orange juice
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Directions1. Season the pork, to taste, with salt, pepper, cumin and chile ancho powder. Drizzle with oil. In the pressure cooker pot, preheat a couple of tablespoons of grapeseed or canola oil to medium heat for a few minutes. Sear the pork pieces in batches and transfer onto a plate.
- To the pressure cooker pot, add the onions, garlic and chile pepper. Saute for a few minutes. Add all of the remaining ingredients listed and bring to a simmer. Taste for salt. Add pork pieces back into pot. Secure lid and lock. Raise heat to pressurize. Once the safety valve locks and begins to release steam rapidly, lower the heat to medium/low, set your timer for 40 minutes.
- Once timer goes off, carefully move pot off the burner and let sit until safety valve releases. Remove lid. Using a slotted spoon or tongs remove the carnitas into a heavy pot. Heat to medium/high. Strain the sauce from pot, discarding the solids. Reserve the sauce from carnitas. Once the liquid in the pan with carnitas evaporates, add 1-2 tablespoon of oil or manteca(pork lard). Raise heat to to crisp the outer surface of the carnitas for a few minutes.
- Transfer to serving dish and use fork or tongs to shred finely. Add about 1/2-3/4 cup of reserved sauce back into carnitas. Taste the sauce first. Sometimes it becomes more salty when the flavors are concentrated like that. Squeeze on some fresh key lime juice before serving. Toss to combine. Serve with warm tortillas, chopped cilantro, onion and your favorite salsa.
Notes
The plus about this version of carnitas, is that there is minimal oil used. Unlike the traditional carnitas that are fried in their own fat. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I love that version, but everything in moderation, I say. My first experience with the pressure cooker was watching my abuelita Sarita cook countless chicken dinners using the pressure cooker. One of my best memories while visiting my family in Mexico always seem to revolve around the kitchen and cooking. If I have not convinced you to use the pressure cooker for this recipe, you could certainly braise them in the oven. Directions for the oven method to follow below…..Las Carnitas!
My 5 quart pressure cooker, ready to cook some black beans in a hurry.
Simplicity at it’s best….spices from your cupboard.
Carnitas after being seared.
After about 1 hour and 15 minutes in the pressure cooker. I used a 5 quart pressure cooker.
If you are really hungry and can’t wait, you can enjoy the tender carnitas straight out of the pressure cooker. But wait!
To give it a more classic finish, I like to add my carnitas back into a little hot oil to crisp up the outer surface of the meat.
And for tacos, I like to finely shred my carnitas and then add in some of the strained broth to add moisture. The carnitas are so tender, I shred these with the tongs. hey come apart so easily. The carnitas this way would make some great machaca con huevo for breakfast tacos!
Ok, so I only had one more homemade corn tortilla left…darn. Store bought will do in a pinch! The salsa garnishing the carnitas is Salsa de Jalapeño Tatemada(Charred Jalapeño Salsa). Click Link! https://pinaenlacocina.com/la-taquiza-it-all-starts-with-the-salsa/
I have to admit, I secretly have been challenging myself to come up with a new and fresh looking taco recipe to share on Taco Tuesday…I know, I am loca…but in a good way, he, he …
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I have the same fear! I have never used a pressure cooker before and I don’t even know how to use one. This is a brilliant recipe! I must try it! X
I certainly does make cooking a bit easier at times. I will probably always be a liitle afraid, lol!
Hi! What are the approximate amounts for the spices “to taste”? I am not familiar wth these flavors so I’d have no idea how much roughly to use.
Donavu, thanks for the question. My rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon per pound of meat. But I like to state, “to taste”, just so people can add as they like.
Thanks for the quick reply! I’ll be trying this dish today, can’t wait!!
Pork is so flavorful that you don’t even have to add all those spices! Kosher or Sea Salt would do just fine. I’ve done it both ways. Simple & delicious.
Chef’s choice Alicia! I love cooking with spices. I leave it up to you. I don’t go crazy on them either, just enough to coat the pork lightly.
Thank you so much for the receta! Muchas gracias! Mi esposo le encanto????
Oh, you’re welcome Merrick! I am so happy your esposo enjoyed the carnitas! Thanks for the feedback.
At what pressure do you hold and cook the carnivals?
Weeder, I reduce my heat in between low and medium, closer to the low side. All pressure cookers are differents, but mine is small, only 5 quarts. What kind of pressure cooker do you have?
Hi Sonia,I have a rather large Presto brand cooker with pressure gauge.it is actually a pressure scanner,wonder if I can use it as a cooker for carnitas?
Oh, I am sure you could. I am not familiar with that model, but if it is pressurized, it should work.
Love your website. Finally authentic, delicious, Mexican recipes. Thank you!!!!!
Thank you Char! So kind of you!! Thanks for the feedback!