This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is quick and easy to make in a pressure cooker. The whole family will love this tender, juicy, delicious weeknight meal!
There are so many reasons to love seasoned and braised pork carnitas. Not only is this recipe amazingly flavorful, but it is aslo quick and inexpensive, so it's great for feeding a crowd.
While five pounds of pork might seem like a lot to make, keep in mind that a serving of pork is 4 ounces. This recipe will make about 20 tacos and you can bet on 2-3 tacos per person.
By the way - if you love tacos, be sure to check out my recipes for Lime Chicken Tacos and Strip Steak Tacos!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Table of contents
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas FAQ
What cut of meat is carnitas?
Carnitas are made by braising pork shoulder. Normally this takes quite a while but with the Instant Pot, we'll be done in no time!
Can you put frozen meat in Instant Pot?
Using frozen meat in an Instant Pot is not recommended.
Do I have to use cilantro?
If you're like me and think that cilantro tastes like soap, don't use it. I use fresh parsley as a garnish as that's what I prefer and skip using cilantro in the recipe.
You can also use a little dried oregano (1 teaspoon) to help season the pork, if desired, in lieu of cilantro.
How do you warm tortillas for carnitas?
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Wrap a stack of corn (or flour) tortillas in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped tortillas in the oven for about 10 minutes. This will make the tortillas work and soft.
What should I serve with pork carnitas?
Pork Carnitas Shopping List
- avocado or olive oil
- pork shoulder
- clementines or oranges
- limes
- fresh cilantro
- fresh garlic
- paprika
- ground cumin
- chicken or vegetable stock
- salt and pepper
You can add any sort of toppings you like to our pork carnitas. I like to serve mine with corn tortillas, purple cabbage,
How to Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
- Trim the pork shoulder of any excess fat (discard).
- Cut the pork into 2-inch pieces and then season it with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot using the sauté setting.
- Working in batches, brown the pork on all sides.
- Place the cooked meat into a bowl.
- Cancel the sauté mode.
- Add the chicken (or vegetable) stock to the Instant Pot and use a whisk or wooden spoon to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cubed pork back to the pan.
- Juice the limes and clementines and add the juice and the pieces of fruit to the pot (these will be discarded later).
- Add the garlic, spices and fresh cilantro and stir to combine.
- Check that the sealing ring is in the lid correctly and then twist the locking lid.
- Select the Meat/Stew setting and set the pot to 35 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished, let the pot natural pressure release for 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid.
- Using tongs, remove the clementines, limes and wilted cilantro (discard).
Safety Note:
Fresh pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov. Remember you always want to allow your pork to rest for three minutes.
How to get Crispy Carnitas
- Place the meat onto a rimmed baking sheet and break it up.
Season with additional salt and pepper and drizzle half of the leftover juices from the Instant Pot on top of the meat. - Place the tray under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely - remove the meat when the edges start to look crispy.
- Remove the tray from the oven and drizzle with the remaining leftover cooking juices from the pot.
- Stir the meat and place under the broiler again for another 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro
. Serve with corn tortillas and lime wedges.
TIP: Broiling the pork at the end ensures that the carnitas gets crispy!
Leftover Carnitas
How do you store leftover carnitas?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can place the pork into a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months (don't forget to label it!)
Cook Once, Eat Twice
This recipe is also perfect if you
- Make a rice bowl with black beans, red onion, corn, and avocado.
- Toss with pasta and salsa and garnish with Mexican cheeses.
- Whip up quesadillas with red bell peppers, sliced jalapenos and serve with sour cream.
Slow Cooker Recipe Variation
- Keep the pork shoulder whole and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado or olive oil.
- Sear the pork in a skillet on all sides.
- Transfer the pork to a slow cooker.
- Add the chicken stock, spices, garlic, juices, cilantro, and whole fruits.
- Cover and set for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- Before serving, discard the whole fruits and wilted cilantro.
- Use the broiler method above to crisp the pork.
More Instant Pot Recipes
I love using my Instant Pot for fast meals! Here are some of my favorites:
- This Easy Instant Pot Pork Tenderloin Dinner is the most popular recipe here. One bite and you'll know why!
- Honey Garlic Instant Pot Chicken Breasts are fantastic with salad, rice or these simple Skillet Green Beans.
- If you love home-cooked meals, you're going to adore our recipe for Instant Pot Beef Stew!
- If you love Asian take out but not the cost, make this Instant Pot Orange Chicken instead!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe
There’s nothing easier than making shredded, juicy, tender pork carnitas in your pressure cooker. Be sure to save this recipe because you're going to want to make it again and again!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 5 lbs pork shoulder (I trimmed the larger fat areas off)
- 1½ cups chicken stock
- 1½ tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
- fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1-2 limes (plus more for serving)
- 4-6 clementines
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Trim the pork shoulder of any excess fat (discard).
- Cut the pork into 2-inch pieces and then season it with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot using the sauté setting.
- Working in batches, brown the pork on all sides.
- Place the cooked meat into a bowl.
- Cancel the sauté mode.
- Add the chicken (or vegetable) stock to the Instant Pot and use a whisk or wooden spoon to scrape any bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cubed pork back to the pan.
- Juice the limes and clementines and add the juice and the pieces of fruit to the pot (these will be discarded later).
- Add the garlic, spices and fresh cilantro and stir to combine.
- Check that the sealing ring is in the lid correctly and then twist the locking lid.
- Select the Meat/Stew setting and set the pot to 35 minutes.
- When the cooking time has finished, let the pot natural pressure release for 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the lid.
- Using tongs, remove the clementines and discard.
How to get Crispy Carnitas - Broiler Method
- Place the meat onto a rimmed baking sheet and break it up.
- Season with additional salt and pepper and drizzle half of the leftover juices from the Instant Pot on top of the meat.
- Place the tray under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely - remove the meat when the edges start to look crispy.
- Remove the tray from the oven and drizzle with the remaining leftover cooking juices from the pot.
- Stir the meat and place under the broiler again for another 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
- Serve with corn tortillas and lime wedges.
Notes
TIP: Broiling the pork at the end ensures that the carnitas get crispy!
Fresh pork should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 145-degrees F according to FoodSafety.gov. Remember you always want to allow your pork to rest for three minutes.Can you put frozen meat in Instant Pot?
Using frozen meat in an Instant Pot is not recommended.Do I have to use cilantro?
If you're like me and think that cilantro tastes like soap, don't use it. I use fresh parsley as a garnish as that's what I prefer and skip using cilantro in the recipe. You can also use a little dried oregano (1 teaspoon) to help season the pork, if desired, in lieu of cilantro.How do you warm tortillas for carnitas?
Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Wrap a stack of corn (or flour) tortillas in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped tortillas in the oven for about 10 minutes. This will make the tortillas work and soft.How do you store leftover carnitas?
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Alternatively, you can place the pork into a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months (don’t forget to label it!)Slow Cooker Recipe Variation
- Keep the pork shoulder whole and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado or olive oil.
- Sear the pork in a skillet on all sides.
- Transfer the pork to a slow cooker.
- Add the chicken stock, spices, garlic, juices, cilantro and whole fruits.
- Cover and set for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- Before serving, discard the whole fruits and wilted cilantro.
- Use the broiler method above to crisp the pork.
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