Combine the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Use your hands to apply the rub over the entire surface of the pork.
Place the pork butt on the trivet inside the Instant Pot, fat side up. Add the oranges, carrots, onion, bay leaves and pour the chicken stock and orange juice over and cover.
Manually set to High pressure for 90 minutes. After cook time ends, allow for natural release of pressure.
Allow meat to cool slightly, then shred by hand using two forks, or transfer meat to bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and mix on medium-low speed until shredded.
Serve with hot tortillas, refried beans, sliced onions, tomato slices, cilantro, limes and salsas of choice.
Optional: Crispy Pork Carnitas
In a large skillet over high heat add a tablespoon of oil and fry shredded carnitas meat in batches, pouring 1/4 cup of cooking liquid in and simmer until juices have evaporated and meat is crispy and caramelized. Then go to Step 5 above to serve!
Stovetop Carnitas
Combine the rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Use your hands to apply the rub over the entire surface of the pork.
Add the rubbed pork, oranges, carrots, onion, bay leaves to a Dutch oven. Pour the chicken stock and orange juice over and then enough water to cover. Place the lid on the pot, bring to a boil, lower to simmer and leave lid slightly ajar. Cook for 3 hours.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Carefully transfer pork from pot using a slotted spoon or spider to a large roasting pan. Discard the cooked orange and vegetables. Roast carnitas for 30 minutes, basting occasionally with cooking liquid.
Allow meat to cool slightly, then shred by hand using two forks, or transfer meat to bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment and mix on medium-low speed until shredded. For crispy carnitas, see above.
Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.
Video
Notes
I like to cook the tortillas on my stovetop gas flame to slightly char each side before serving.
**NUTRITIONAL info is for carnitas meat only. Fat and calorie counts stated here are high, and do not take into account the discarded fat the meat is fried in.