Instant Pot Beef Carnitas

Instant Pot beef carnitas blend American and Mexican cuisines for a flavorful taco made in minutes. To serve this dish, simply lay out warm tortillas, portion out the meat and add whichever toppings your heart desires. For this reason, tacos are a great idea for a family meal or potluck because people can pick and choose what appeals to them.

Try this and many other of our favorite taco recipes, ranging from Tex-Mex, Thai and traditional tacos.

Ingredients for Instant Pot Beef Carnitas

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Seasoning:

• Brown sugar: Savory, meaty dishes combine wonderfully with sweet flavors. Brown sugar is mixed with molasses, giving it added moisture and depth of flavor.
• Cumin powder: One of the common spices in Mexican cuisine, cumin is great to add to sauces and meat.
• Smoked paprika: There are three types of paprika, including sweet, hot and smoked. Feel free to use any variety you prefer for these Instant Pot beef carnitas.
• Chili powder: Normally made from a variety of dried chiles, chili powder has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor.
• Garlic powder: Because garlic is a strong flavor, using powdered instead of fresh garlic prevents it from overpowering this dish.
• Ground mustard: This ingredient is not common in Mexican food, but it does add a nice, zippy flavor.
• Dried oregano: There are many types of oregano but Mediterranean and Mexican oregano are the two most common. Mexican oregano tends to be more citrusy in flavor and aroma.
• Cayenne pepper: Mexican food is famous for being spicy, so cayenne pepper is very apropos here. If you’d like, feel free to experiment with other types of peppers.

Carnitas:

• Beef: This recipe calls for beef chuck roast, which is a tough cut of meat that can be made tender using a pressure cooker method.
• Canola oil: As one of the neutral oils, canola won’t interfere with the other flavors in this dish.
• Sweet onion: The onions in this recipe cook along with the beef, but you can also reserve some and make a quick pickled onion topping for the tacos.
• Poblano peppers: Originally from Puebla, Mexico, poblano peppers are long, green and mild in heat.
• Chipotle peppers: Typically sold canned and smothered in adobo sauce, chipotle peppers add a big dose of smoky flavor.
• Salsa: While you can make your own fresh salsa and use it in these slow-cooker beef carnitas, we suggest simply choosing your favorite jarred salsa.

Assembling the tacos:

• Tortillas: This recipe calls for flour tortillas but if you want to give homemade corn tortillas a go, be our guest.
• Cheese: Either queso fresco or Monterey Jack works well here, but feel free to explore any of the Mexican cheeses and see what you like.
• Optional toppings: Sliced avocado, sour cream, minced cilantro, lime wedges all pair wonderfully with these tacos.

Directions

Step 1: Season the beef

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Mix the ingredients for the seasoning. Cut the beef chuck roast in half and rub each side with about 1/4 cup seasoning.

Editor’s Tip: Place the leftover seasoning an airtight container and store in a cool dry place for up to one year.

Step 2: Saute the roast

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Select the saute or browning setting on a 6-quart Instant Pot. Heat half the oil and brown one roast on all sides. Remove it from the heat and saute the other roast on all sides. When done, return the first roast to the Instant Pot.

Step 3: Add the salsa, peppers and onions

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Top the meat with onions, peppers and salsa. Cover the Instant Pot and close the pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 40 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes and then finish by quick-releasing any remaining pressure.

Step 4: Shred the beef and serve

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Remove and shred the roast using two forks. Skim the fat from the cooking juices and return the meat to the Instant Pot. Using a slotted spoon, fill each tortillas with about 1/2 cup of the beef carnitas. Add your desired toppings and serve.

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Instant Pot Beef Carnitas Variations

• Have fun with different chiles: Some of the most popular varieties of Mexican chiles include pasilla, guajillo, ancho and morita. To use chiles in this recipe, feel free to add them straight into the Instant Pot with the rest of the ingredients.
• Add chorizo: Fresh Mexican chorizo is a delicious way to add both extra richness and spice to these Instant Pot beef carnitas. If you want to include it, feel free to add it in during step two of this recipe.

How to Store Instant Pot Beef Carnitas

First, allow the beef carnitas to cool to room temperature and then transfer them to an airtight container and store in the back of the fridge for up to four days. To help them maintain the meat’s flavor and moisture, store with the broth it was cooked in.

Can I freeze Instant Pot beef carnitas?

To freeze Instant Pot beef carnitas, simply place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to four months. When ready, thaw the meat in the fridge overnight or place the entire airtight container in cold water, allowing one hour of defrost time for every pound of meat.

Instant Pot Beef Carnitas Tips

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What is the difference between carnitas and carne asada?

In Mexico, carnitas are usually made using a similar cooking method as this recipe, but with pork instead of beef. On the other hand, the carne asada is usually grilled steak.

What can I add to tacos to make them better?

Tacos are about appreciating well cooked meat and normally, Mexican people don’t pile their tacos high with different toppings. That said, you can always opt for traditional toppings like salsa and avocado, or try less conventional topping like kimchi or mango.

What can I add to taco meat to make it go further?

Beans, rice, veggies or crumbled tofu all work well to add bulk to taco meat. Although these extras may make your taco meat resemble burrito filling, it will still be just as delicious.