Carnitas is a traditional Mexican dish made with pork slow-cooked in spices and orange juice until it becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Equipment
- Pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1.3 lbs lean pork pork loin, sirloin, or shoulder, cut into cubes (approx. 600 g)
- 1 large orange juiced
- 1/2 medium yellow onion julienned
- 4 garlic cloves whole
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp hot smoked paprika or 2 dried chili peppers
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 lime juiced
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pinch Salt and Pepper
- Fresh cilantro or parsley finely chopped for garnish
Instructions
Season the pork cubes generously with sea salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add the meat and sear until golden brown on all sides to lock in the flavor.
Add the whole garlic cloves and the julienned onion to the pot. Sauté for a few minutes until the onion is translucent.
Add the bay leaves, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon stick. If you are using dried chili peppers, add them now. If you are using hot paprika, wait until just before adding the liquids to prevent it from burning and turning bitter. Stir well so the meat is thoroughly coated in the spices.
Pour in the orange juice, lime juice, and water. Stir once more and close the pressure cooker. Once it reaches full pressure (when the rings rise), cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
