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    Home » Main Dish

    Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

    Published: Feb 17, 2022 by Katelyn | With Sweet Honey · This post may contain affiliate links Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is the perfect combination of flavor and ease. Seasoned pork cooked in under 2 hours covered in fresh orange and lime juices to create that irresistible flavor. Perfect for weekly meal prep or a family celebration! This carnitas recipe is also gluten free, dairy free, paleo and Whole30 friendly.

    carnitas meat in a glass bowl

    What you’ll love about this recipe

    Flavor: Carnitas are known for their delicious Mexican style flavors. In this recipe we combine spices like cumin, coriander, chili powder, and paprika with citrus to create an irresistible flavor that pairs well with many types of dishes.

    Simple to make: The Instant Pot has become one of my favorite kitchen gadgets because of recipes like this one. These carnitas only need to cook on high pressure for 1 hour! Alternatively, you can make them in the slow cooker if you prefer, which I will explain in more detail below.

    Versatile: Carnitas Burrito Bowls are my favorite way to serve carnitas while still maintaining a paleo diet but there are so many options! Many people serve carnitas meat in tacos, salads, burritos or even plain.

    pulled pork carnitas on a rimmed baking sheet
    Jump to:
    • What you’ll love about this recipe
    • Ingredients for instant pot pork carnitas
    • Instant Pot Instructions
    • Slow Cooker Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to serve instant pot pork carnitas
    • How to store
    • Let's Connect
    • More delicious recipes:
    • Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

    Ingredients for instant pot pork carnitas

    • Pork shoulder (pork butt)
    • Cumin
    • Coriander
    • Kosher salt
    • Black pepper
    • Chili powder
    • Paprika
    • Yellow onion
    • Garlic
    • Orange Juice
    • Lime Juice

    Instant Pot Instructions

    Step 1: To make the seasoning: Mix the cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, chili powder, and paprika in a bowl. Place the pork cubes in a large bowl and mix with the seasoning. Make sure all sides of the pork are covered in the seasoning.  

    Step 2: Cook: Place the pork in the Instant Pot and top with the minced garlic, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. Cover with the lid and set to high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a natural release (about 30 minutes).

    Step 3: Pull apart: Remove the pork from the instant pot and shred with forks. The pork should pull apart easily with a fork. 

    Step 4: Optional crispiness: Follow these steps if you want your pork to be crispy. Preheat the broiler. Place the shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet and pour about ¼ cup of the remaining juices from the pot on top of the pork. Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 minutes then toss and broil for another 4 minutes, until desired crispiness is reached.

    Step 5: Before serving: add the desired amount of remaining cooking liquid from the pot back back with the shredded pork.

    pork shoulder cooked in an instant pot pressure cooker

    Slow Cooker Instructions

    Step 1: To make the seasoning: Mix the cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, chili powder, and paprika in a bowl. Place the pork cubes in a large bowl and mix with the seasoning. Make sure all sides of the pork are covered in the seasoning.

    Step 2: Cook: Place the pork in the slow cooker and top with the minced garlic, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. Cover with the lid and cook on low for about 10 hours or until the pork shreds easily with a fork.

    Step 3: Pull apart: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred with forks. The pork should pull apart easily with a fork. 

    Step 4: Optional crispiness: Follow these steps if you want your pork to be crispy. Preheat the broiler. Place the shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet and pour about ¼ cup of the remaining juices from the pot on top of the pork. Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 minutes then toss and broil for another 4 minutes, until desired crispiness is reached.

    Step 5: Before serving: add the desired amount of remaining cooking liquid from the pot back back with the shredded pork.

    seasoned pulled pork on a rimmed baking sheet

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make carnitas crispy

    The key to making the pork crispy is to broil the shredded meat for a few minutes after the cooking process. This will give a nice crispy texture to the ends of the pulled pork.

    What pork cut should I use?

    We use boneless pork shoulder roast or pork butt.

    How to serve instant pot pork carnitas

    There are many options when it comes to serving pork carnitas. I love to make this recipe and save portions of it to use in different dishes throughout the week.

    Here are a few serving suggestions:

    • Carnitas Burrito Bowls
    • Cauliflower Rice
    • Tacos
    • Burritos
    • Nachos
    • Salads
    • Rice
    carnitas burrito bowl with a spoon

    How to store

    Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.

    Reheat using the microwave or on the stovetop on medium-low heat.

    Freeze for up to 3 months and let thaw before reheating.

    Let's Connect

    If you’ve enjoyed this recipe or any of our others, please leave a review and rating. I love to hear from you and can’t wait to see what you’re making! Also consider following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and our newsletter for up-to-date content and recipe inspiration.

    This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting With Sweet Honey!

    More delicious recipes:

    • Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
    • Carnitas Burrito Bowl
    • Easy Stuffed Sweet Potato Tacos
    • Baked Lemon Pepper Salmon
    • Slow Cooker Creamy Turkey Chowder
    carnitas meat in a glass bowl

    Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

    This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is the perfect combination of flavor and ease. Seasoned pork cooked in under 2 hours covered in fresh orange and lime juices to create that irresistible flavor.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Keyword: instant pot pork, pressure cooker meal, pulled pork
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Natural Release Pressure Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    463 Katelyn | With Sweet Honey

    Equipment

    • 1 Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 4 pounds pork shoulder (pork butt) cut into large cubes
    • 2 tbsp cumin
    • 1 tsp coriander
    • 1-¼ tsp kosher salt
    • 1 tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • ¼ tsp paprika
    • 1 yellow onion diced
    • 5 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
    • ¼ cup fresh squeezed lime juice

    Instructions

    • To make the seasoning: Mix the cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, chili powder, and paprika in a bowl. Place the pork cubes in a large bowl and mix with the seasoning. Make sure all sides of the pork are covered in the seasoning.
    • Cook: Place the pork in the Instant Pot and top with the minced garlic, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. Cover with the lid and set to high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a natural release (about 30 minutes).
    • Pull apart: Remove the pork from the instant pot and shred with forks. The pork should pull apart easily with a fork.
    • Optional crispiness: Follow these steps if you want your pork to be crispy. Preheat the broiler. Place the shredded pork on a rimmed baking sheet and pour about ¼ cup of the remaining juices from the pot on top of the pork. Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 4 minutes then toss and broil for another 4 minutes, until desired crispiness is reached.
    • Before serving: Add the desired amount of remaining cooking liquid from the pot back back with the shredded pork.

    Notes

    To make in Slow Cooker: See detailed instructions in section above. Cook seasoned pork for 10 hours on low until pork shreds easily with a fork.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @withsweethoney on Instagram!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 463kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.7g | Protein: 35.8g | Fat: 32.7g | Saturated Fat: 11.9g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 302mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 0.6g | Sugar: 2.3g | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 3mg
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    Hi, I'm Katelyn! I create gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo recipes that are easy and delicious. Food should make you feel good, and I hope my recipes inspire you to try something new. Happy cooking!

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