Ingredients and Weight:
- Pork shoulder or butt (3-4 pounds)
- Orange juice (1 cup)
- Apple cider vinegar (1/2 cup)
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
- Salt (2 teaspoons)
- Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
- Bay leaves (4-5 pieces)
- Thyme (1 tablespoon)
- Garlic cloves (4-5)
Preparation Time:
- Preparation: 30 minutes
- Cooking: 2 hours (including pressure cooking time)
- Total: 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Level:
Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)
Preparation Method Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the pork.
- Trim the pork shoulder or butt of any excess fat and cut into 2-inch cubes.
- Place the pork cubes into the pressure cooker.
- Pour the orange juice mixture over the pork.
- Close the pressure cooker and set to cook at high pressure for 90 minutes.
- After the cooking time is over, let the pressure release naturally.
- Open the pressure cooker and remove the meat using a slotted spoon.
- Transfer the meat to a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the surface becomes crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite sides.
Nutritional Information:
(Please note that the nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.)
- Calories: Approximately 500 per serving (based on 8 servings)
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 40g
Dish Characteristics:
- The dish has a rich, porky flavor with a sweet and sour tang from the orange juice and vinegar.
- The meat is tender and juicy from the pressure cooking process.
- The crispy exterior adds a contrast to the tenderness of the meat.
- Easily adaptable to different tastes by adjusting the seasoning and cooking time.
User Comments:
- "The flavor was amazing! The meat was so tender and juicy."
- "I loved the crispy exterior of the carnitas, it added a great texture."
- "This is a great dish for a family gathering, everyone loved it!"
- "I will definitely make this again, it was so flavorful and easy to make."
- "The dish was delicious, especially paired with some homemade refried beans and rice."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- Be sure to follow pressure cooker safety instructions carefully to avoid accidents.
- Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
- If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can also make this dish in a slow cooker or in the oven, but the cooking time will be longer.
- Use fresh pork for best results, but frozen pork can also be used. Make sure to thaw before cooking.
