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    Home » Recipes » Dinners » Instant Pot

    Easy Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

    Published: Jan 22, 2023 by Ang Paris · Leave a Comment
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    Our easy Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe crazy good - the whole family will love the tender, crispy and juicy pork. This recipe is great for tacos, burritos, salads, and more!
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections Print Recipe
    This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas is quick and easy to make in a pressure cooker - tender, juicy, delicious weeknight meal! via @jugglingactmama

    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!

    Instant Pot Pork Carnitas tucked into corn tortillas with avocado and purple cabbage.
    If you've never tried pork carnitas, you're missing out!
    Jump to:
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas FAQ
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • How to get Crispy Carnitas
    • Leftover Carnitas
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Slow Cooker Recipe Variation
    • Similar Recipes
    • More Quick and Easy Recipes
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    • New Posts You'll Love

    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 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 I put frozen meat in an Instant Pot?

    Using frozen meat in an Instant Pot is not recommended.

    What can I use instead of 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.

    cubed pork shoulder on a cutting board seasoned with salt and pepper
    Season your pork well with freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt.

    What should I serve with pork carnitas?

    • Refried Beans
    • Easy Nacho Skillet Dip
    • Mexican Street Corn off the Cob
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    Ingredients

    • avocado or olive oil
    • pork shoulder or pork butt
    • 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, and avocado. Queso fresco, Oaxaca, and Cotija cheese are all very delicious with carnitas as well. My husband likes them with pickled red onion.

    halved clementines and limes with cilantro and garlic on in an instant pot
    Juice the limes and clementines, then add the whole fruit to the pot for extra flavor.

    Instructions

    1. Trim the pork shoulder of any excess fat (discard).
    2. Cut the pork into 2-inch pieces and then season it with salt and pepper.
    3. Heat the olive oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot using the sauté setting.
    4. Working in batches, brown the pork on all sides.
    5. Place the cooked meat into a bowl.
    6. Cancel the sauté mode.
    7. 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.
    8. Add the cubed pork back to the pan.
    9. Juice the limes and clementines and add the juice and the pieces of fruit to the pot (these will be discarded later).
    10. Add the garlic, spices and fresh cilantro and stir to combine.
    11. Check that the sealing ring is in the lid correctly and then twist the locking lid.
    12. Select the Meat/Stew setting and set the pot to 35 minutes.
    13. When the cooking time has finished, let the pot natural pressure release for 15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
    14. Carefully remove the lid.
    15. Using tongs, remove the clementines, limes and wilted cilantro (discard).
    close up of cooked cubed pork shoulder in a bowl

    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.

    a sheet pan of crispy pork carnitas garnished with cilantro leaves
    Popping the sheet pan under the broiler is what makes this carnitas so incredibly crispy.

    How to get Crispy Carnitas

    1. 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.
    2. Place the tray under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching closely - remove the meat when the edges start to look crispy.
    3. Remove the tray from the oven and drizzle with the remaining leftover cooking juices from the pot.
    4. Stir the meat and place under the broiler again for another 3-5 minutes.
    5. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
    6. 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!)

    Serving Suggestions

    My go-to when I make this easy recipe is usually carnitas tacos with all our favorite toppings like homemade guacamole and pico de gallo. However, there are loads of ways to use juicy pork carnitas:

    • Make rice bowls or burrito bowls 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, and sliced jalapenos and serve with sour cream.

    This recipe is also perfect if you love to make ahead meals.

    Tongs hold shredded pork canitas over an instant pot

    Slow Cooker Recipe Variation

    1. Keep the pork shoulder whole and season with salt and pepper.
    2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado or olive oil.
    3. Sear the pork in a skillet on all sides.
    4. Transfer the pork to a slow cooker.
    5. Add the chicken stock, spices, garlic, juices, cilantro, and whole fruits.
    6. Cover and set for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
    7. Before serving, discard the whole fruits and wilted cilantro.
    8. Use the broiler method above to crisp the pork.

    Similar 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 Chicken and Rice
    Every busy mom needs this quick Chicken and Rice recipe! Cook brown rice, chicken breasts and carrots all at the same time for the perfect easy weeknight dinner.
    Get the Recipe >>>
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    Get the Recipe >>>
    Instant Pot Meatloaf in an aluminum pan.
    Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
    Make creamy beef stroganoff quick and easily in the instant pot. This all in one meal is perfect for busy families on the go!
    Get the Recipe >>>
    two bowls of creamy beef stroganoff with an instant pot in the background

    More Quick and Easy Recipes

    • Taco Stuffed Shells: Jumbo shells are stuffed full of cheese and seasoned beef. Kids love this dinner idea!
    • Chicken Hashbrown Casserole: Ready in about an hour, this loaded chicken casserole is full of tender chicken, crispy bacon, and shredded potatoes in a creamy, cheesy sauce.
    • Easy Pork Lettuce Wraps: These are a fantastic lunch or dinner idea, especially if you're watching carbs and calories. The pork and slaw is so flavorful you won't even miss the tortilla.
    • Healthy Sweet Potato Soup
    • Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup
    • Easy Lasagna Soup Recipe
    • Steak Bites and Potatoes

    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

    Our easy Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe crazy good - the whole family will love the tender, crispy and juicy pork. This recipe is great for tacos, burritos, salads, and more!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes
    Time for Pressure to Release: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Cutting Board
    • Santoku Knife
    • Liquid Measuring Cup
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Instant Pot
    • Wooden Spoon
    • Tongs
    • Sheet Pans

    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).
      5 lbs pork shoulder
    • Cut the pork into 2-inch pieces and then season it with salt and pepper.
      salt and pepper to taste
    • Heat the olive oil in the inner pot of the Instant Pot using the sauté setting.
      2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
    • 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.
      1½ cups chicken stock
    • 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).
      1-2 limes (plus more for serving), 4-6 clementines
    • Add the garlic, spices and fresh cilantro and stir to combine.
      1½ tablespoons fresh garlic, minced, fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon paprika, 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 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

    1. Keep the pork shoulder whole and season with salt and pepper.
    2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the avocado or olive oil.
    3. Sear the pork in a skillet on all sides.
    4. Transfer the pork to a slow cooker.
    5. Add the chicken stock, spices, garlic, juices, cilantro and whole fruits.
    6. Cover and set for 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
    7. Before serving, discard the whole fruits and wilted cilantro.
    8. Use the broiler method above to crisp the pork.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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