Instant Pot Carnitas - Low FODMAP, Paleo, Whole30
Have flavorful, gut-friendly carnitas ready in 1/3 of the time by using a ton of spices, an Instant Pot and a broiler! The contrast of slightly charred, broiled edges with the softness of the meat brings these carnitas to a whole other level. Serve with warm tortillas and all the toppings, or as a burrito bowl with rice!
Servings 6 people
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless pork butt (Boston butt) cut into 2 inch cubes
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused extra-virgin olive oil
Spice Mixture
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp brown sugar optional, coconut sugar for Paleo
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground ancho chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Remaining Ingredients
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- juice from 1/2 a lime
Instructions
Instant Pot
- Combine spice mixture ingredients in large bowl and toss to mix ingredients. One by one, dip pork butt pieces into bowl to evenly coat all sides of each piece with spices.
- Select the Instant Pot sauté function and set on the highest temperature setting. Pour 1 tbsp of garlic-infused olive oil to heat.
- Once the Instant Pot indicator displays "Hot," sear pork butt pieces in batches, each side for 45-60 seconds. This will take you 2-3 batches. Add an additional ~1 tbsp garlic oil before each batch as needed.
- Turn off the sauté function. Place all seared pork pieces back into the Instant Pot and pour over remaining ingredients of water, orange juice and lime juice.
- Secure the Instant Pot with the lid, ensuring that the steam release handle is turned to "sealing." Select the pressure cook function set to highest setting for 30 minutes.
- The Instant Pot will take about 5-10 minutes to reach full pressure before the 30 minute countdown starts. Once the 30 minutes is up, let the Instant Pot pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.
Into the Broiler
- Position the oven rack at the highest level and preheat oven broiler. Prepare large baking tray by wrapping surface with foil.
- Remove pork from Instant Pot and shred with two forks, placing shredded pork onto baking tray.
- Pour drippings from the Instant Pot over the meat by spoonfuls until meat is evenly coated. You don't want too much liquid - just enough to soak into the meat.
- This part is important, and it's where the magic happens. Place baking tray in preheated oven. Check the carnitas every minute or so and broil until the edges look browned and crispy. It may only need a couple of minutes depending on how hot your broiler gets!
- Once the carnitas are done, you are ready to serve! Distribute into choice of tortillas and garnish with pico de gallo and guacamole, or keep it simple with radish slices and cilantro. You can also serve this Chipotle burrito bowl-style and eat over cilantro & lime rice.
Notes
- If using store-bought garlic-infused oil that is not certified FODMAP-friendly, make sure to use a brand that doesn’t list “garlic oil,” “garlic essential oil,” “garlic essence,” “garlic flavoring,” “natural roasted garlic flavor,” or anything similar in the ingredients list. There’s no way to know whether these ingredients are low FODMAP. More on that in this article on FODMAP Everyday.