Pressure-Cooker Beef Carnitas

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Cook: 40 min. + releasing

Makes

16 servings plus 1/4 cup leftover spice mixture

Updated: May. 03, 2023
I came up with this pressure-cooker beef carnitas recipe while cleaning out my refrigerator, and trying to figure out what I could do with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. I LOVE how easy this is. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida
Pressure-Cooker Beef Carnitas Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 pounds)
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 poblano peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
  • 1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
  • 16 flour tortillas (8 inches), warmed
  • 3 cups crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Optional toppings: Cubed avocado, sour cream and minced fresh cilantro

Directions

  1. Mix the first 9 ingredients. Cut roast in half; rub with 1/4 cup spice mixture. Cover remaining mixture and store in a cool dry place. (Mix will keep for up to 1 year.)
  2. Select saute or browning setting on a 6-qt. electric pressure cooker. Adjust for medium heat; add half the oil. When oil is hot, brown one roast half on all sides. Remove; repeat with remaining beef and oil. Press cancel. Return all to pressure cooker. Place onions and peppers on meat. Top with salsa.

       Lock lid; close pressure-release valve. Adjust to pressure-cook on high for 40 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes; quick-release any remaining pressure.

    Remove roast; shred with 2 forks. Skim fat from cooking juices. Return meat to pressure cooker; heat through. Using a slotted spoon, place 1/2 cup meat mixture on each tortilla. Sprinkle with cheese. Add toppings of your choice.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 415 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 70mg cholesterol, 830mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.