By now, y’all probably know that I just love bargain shopping! Saving money and eating healthier? That’s a literal win-win! If you read my weekly January meal plans this year, then you know I try and spend as little as possible at the store each week. Basically, I can’t pass up a good deal and/or coupon! There was recently a buy one, get one for a penny deal for pork shoulders at the store. So you already know I got two of those pork shoulders and we ate some delicious carnitas tacos/taco salads two weeks in a row!
After my first time making this succulent pork in the Instant Pot I knew I needed to write it down to share with you. It is flavorful (but not too spicy for kids), juicy, fall apart tender, and ready in less than an hour thanks to the pressure cooking powers of the Instant Pot! My suggestions for serving as a salad are to top with habanero ranch, crumbled plantain chips, guacamole, fresh cilantro, and a hefty squeeze of lime juice. My suggestions for serving as a taco are on a fresh, warm tortilla topped with salsa, cilantro, and, again, a hefty squeeze of lime juice. I hope you can enjoy this delicious, healthy pork recipe for a Taco Tuesday real soon!
Easy Instant Pot Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2-3 pound pork shoulder
- 3 tsp of chili powder
- 2 tsp of salt
- 2 tsp of ground cumin
- 1 tsp of paprika
- 1 tsp of black pepper
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp of onion powder
- Cayenne to taste
- 1 and 1/4 cup of chicken stock
- 1/3 cup of salsa
- Juice of half a lime
Directions
- Season pork shoulder with all seasonings chili powder through cayenne
- Turn Instant Pot to sauté feature (or sauté on the stove in a pot if yours does not have this feature)
- Cook for two minutes on each side, until brown. Your Instant Pot might give you the “hot” signal (mine did), but it is okay – it won’t burn!
- Remove pork shoulder and set aside.
- Add chicken stock, salsa, and lime juice, scraping up brown bits.
- Put pork shoulder back in with the liquids, close lid and set to “pressure cook” feature.
- Cook for 15 minutes per pound (add 5 minutes per pound extra if your shoulder is frozen) and allow for a 20 minute natural pressure release.
- Shred meat and serve with desired fixings!
- Store leftovers covered in fridge for up to a week.
The Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to get a flavorFULL meal on the table in no time! For more Instant Pot recipes check out my Instant Pot Black Beans and my Instant Pot Mushroom Pot Roast. It took me a long time to actually utilize my Instant Pot so if you would rather use a slow cooker check out some of my slow cooker recipes like Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos or Slow Cooker Potato and Kale Soup. I hope whatever you decide to cook that you love both the process and the outcome, have a family meal…and enjoy your Pinch of Crazy!
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