Quick Carnitas Tacos Recipes

SUPER TASTY CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• In a small bowl place oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, and chili powder, then mix thoroughly.
• Rub the spice mixture generously around the entire pork shoulder and place in the slow cooker.
• Top with pork with the onion, minced garlic, jalapeno, and orange juice in the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook on the low setting for 8-10 hours, or high heat for 5-6 hours. The meat should be tender and nearly falling apart.
• Remove the pork from the slow cooker to a large cutting board and use two forks to shred the meat. (Don't get rid of the liquid as you will be using it later)
• Place the shredded pork on a baking sheet.
• Pour 1 cup of the reserved slow cooker liquid over the pork to season.
• Broil for 5-10 minutes on high heat until the meat becomes golden browned and crispy on the edges.
• Serve immediately with tortillas, freshly diced onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.
• Note: you'll likely have have leftover carnitas. You can make more tacos or enjoy the carnitas in burritos or on salads. You can also store it in the fridge and then reheat to enjoy later.

QUICK COOK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Combine the cumin, salt, ancho chile powder, paprika and cayenne in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the pork, then drizzle on the oil and toss to coat. Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute and cook the pork in batches until all sides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the pork to a plate and set aside. Add the onions and cook until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beer, orange juice and lime juice and stir to combine, making sure the pork is mostly submerged in the liquid. Select the cancel button on the pot.
• Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for natural release. After 15 minutes, being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. The pork should be tender and cooked all the way through. Transfer the pork to a large bowl and shred with two forks.
• Set the Instant Pot® to high saute and bring the liquid to a boil. Mix together the cornstarch and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl until smooth. While whisking, pour the cornstarch mixture into the boiling liquid. Let boil until slightly thickened, 2 more minutes. Press the cancel button.
• Ladle the cooking liquid over the pork and season with salt, to taste. Serve with lime wedges, tortillas and desired toppings.
• Combine the white vinegar, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan with 1/2 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the onions and shallots to a pint jar and pour the liquid over the top. Let cool completely. Refrigerate up to 1 week.

PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine; combine the pork, garlic, bay leaves and thyme bundle in a large Dutch oven. Add the vegetable oil, lime juice, orange juice, 1 cup water and 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low; cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
• Uncover the pot and continue simmering, stirring once or twice, until the pork is tender, about another 1 hour, 15 minutes. Increase the heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly evaporated, about 35 more minutes. Discard the thyme bundle and bay leaves, then increase the heat to medium high so the pork starts to fry. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the pork is golden brown and crisp in spots, about 10 more minutes. Serve in tortillas with assorted toppings.
• Combine 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon each coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan. Boil 2 minutes; let cool.