Carnitas

Recipe Name: Carnitas

Story: I have been trying to find an "authentic" carnitas recipe for quite some time, without having to cook in a giant vat of lard. I finally found this recipe and it is so good.

Years you've been making it: Since 2016 or so

Author / Creator: 
https://callhimyeschef.com/2013/02/19/carnitas-under-pressure/

Submitted by: Dustin

Ingredients: 

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. ancho or chipotle chile powder
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 3 lbs. boneless pork shoulder roast, cut into 2-inch chunks (up to 4 lbs)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed with the flat part of a knife
• 2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 cinnamon stick (3 inch)
• 1 1/2 cups strained fresh orange juice
• 1/2 cup strained fresh lime juice

Directions: 

1. Whisk together oil, salt, cumin, chile powder, and pepper.
2. Toss pork in oil-spice mixture.  Brown pork in pressure cooker over high heat.
3. Stir in onion, garlic, oregano, and cinnamon stick.  Add orange and lime juices.
4. Cover pressure cooker, lock on lid and bring to high pressure over high heat.  Cook pork at high pressure, 25 minutes.  Remove cooker from heat.  Allow pressure to release naturally.  Remove lid and transfer pork to a baking sheet.
5. Preheat broiler to high with rack 6 inches from element.
6. Degrease liquids from cooker in a fat separator; discard fat.  Shred pork with two forks on baking sheet.  Pour 1 cup strained cooking liquid over pork.
7. Broil pork until it starts to crisp, about 10 minutes.  Stir and broil 5 minutes more.
8. Serve pork with tortillas, avocado, salsa Verde, queso fresco and remaining cooking liquid.

Notes: 

• Can just buy orange juice rather than freshly squeezing it (just buy one of those 12 oz bottles)
• This can also be done in the slow cooker, which is really good.  If in slow cooker, 4 hrs on high, 2 hrs on low.
• After browning, considering cutting off the heat and adding the onions to keep from burning
• 4 limes is just over 1/2 cup of juice
• Carnitas is great in tacos, to make nachos, or just by itself.