This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is the fastest, easiest, most delicious, and most tender you’ve ever tasted! Perfect for tacos, enchiladas, and burrito bowls, these pork carnitas are a fantastic alternative to slow-cooker pulled pork! They only require 20 minutes of pressure cooking and are pot-to-table in an hour for a quick and incredible meal.
If you love Mexican food try my Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Chicken, Instant Pot Beef Barbacoa, and my Instant Pot Refried Beans.
Jump to:
- Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
- Here's Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe
- Ingredients for Pulled Pork Carnitas
- How To Make Carnitas
- Cooking The Pork Shoulder
- Broiling The Pulled Pork Carnitas
- Ways to Serve Carnitas
- What to Serve with Carnitas
- Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Pork Carnitas
- FAQs
- More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Pork Carnitas (Low Carb)
This post has been updated since its original publish date in August 2019.
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
There are times when I try recipes in the Instant Pot and I think, “Nah, this one’s better in the slow cooker or the oven,” and I move on.
But today’s recipe is NOT one of those my friend. Using the instant pot is literally the most tasty and efficient way to make this recipe – period.
The meat is cooked in garlic, onions, delicious spices, and broth for only 20 minutes of pressure cooking and becomes the most tender and juicy carnitas I’ve ever tasted.
I shredded the pork after pressure cooking and broiled it for 2-3 minutes on a baking sheet. Turning it into tender juicy meat with tasty bits of crispiness. It's so good you'll want to eat it straight from the pan.
I feel like we need a drum roll, or some samba shakers, or a mariachi band for this special unveiling moment… 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁… I give you the most delicious, quick, and easy Instant Pot Pulled Pork on the planet!!
For. Real. Drop the taco.🌮
Here's Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe
- Tender and Juicy: The meat is cooked in garlic, onions, delicious spices, and broth in the pressure cooker and becomes the most tender and juicy pulled pork carnitas ever!
- Cooks Quick: It only requires 20 minutes of pressure cooking and it's just as tender as a slow-cooked pork roast. But if you're a die-hard slow cooker user and lover I have this Crock Pot Pulled Pork recipe just for you.
- So Many Ways to Enjoy: The meat is great for tacos, tostadas, taco bowls, burritos, enchiladas, straight up with some rice or beans, or serve it as a taco salad, over cauliflower rice, or with low-carb tortillas for a low-carb carnitas or keto pulled pork option.
- Meal Prep: This carnitas recipe makes a good amount of meat so it's perfect to use for meal prep. Store it in an air-tight container and use it all week for a variety of Mexican meals. Or freeze the meat and defrost it overnight in the fridge when you're ready to enjoy it again.
Ingredients for Pulled Pork Carnitas
- Pork: You can use either a pork butt roast or pork shoulder roast.
- Seasonings: Infuse your pork with fantastic flavor by combining salt, pepper, chipotle powder (or chili powder), oregano, ground cumin, and bay leaves.
- Garlic and Onion: These classic aromatics are great for adding depth and savory flavor.
- Lime: Balances all of the bold and savory flavors with some acidity.
How To Make Carnitas
You can use either a bone-in or boneless pork shoulder (or pork butt) for this carnitas recipe. I’ve done it both ways. Cutting the meat off the bone is a bit more difficult but I like adding the bone in the pot and letting it cook with the meat for added flavor.
Let's get cooking, shall we?
First, cut the carnitas meat into 3-4 inch pieces and remove as much fat as possible. I timed myself the last time I made this recipe and it took me 8 minutes to make that happen.
Next, rub the spices all over the meat.
Cooking The Pork Shoulder
Turn the Instant Pot to saute mode and let it get to high heat, add the olive oil, and sear the meat for 2 minutes on the two main sides.
Depending on how large your pork shoulder is, you may need to do this in two or three batches.
Once the meat is seared transfer it to a plate or bowl, add the onions and garlic to the pot, and saute for 3 minutes. Splash some chicken stock into the Instant Pot to prevent the brown bits of meat from burning.
Add the rest of the stock, all the meat, and the bone if there is one. Then, pressure cook the carnitas meat for 20 minutes. Give the instant pot a 15-minute natural release then quick release the rest of the pressure manually.
Next, remove the meat from the liquid and place it on a plate so you can shred the meat. It is so tender it will fall apart effortlessly.
Strain the fat, onions, and garlic out of the liquid, pour a bit over the pulled pork, and toss the meat.
The cooking liquid is so tasty I like to save whatever is left and use it for soup or reheating the leftover pork meat.
Broiling The Pulled Pork Carnitas
Next, place your shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil the meat for 2-3 minutes or until the pork gets crispy around the edges.
I love the contrast in texture of the tender juicy pork and the crispy edges, it makes the meat extra delcious.
Finally, give the meat a squeeze of fresh lime juice, and your pulled pork carnitas are ready to devour!
Ways to Serve Carnitas
This pulled pork carnitas recipe is so versatile! Here are some ideas for all the tasty ways you can serve it...
- Tacos (hard or soft) or taco bowls
- Burritos or burrito bowls
- Enchiladas
- Quesadillas or
- Tostadas or taquitos
- Nachos or chilaquiles
- Carnitas Platter with rice or beans
- Taco salad
- Over cauliflower rice for a low-carb/keto option
- And it's not necessarily a Mexican recipe but you could also make killer pulled pork sandwiches!
TIP: I even make carnitas soup with it by using the stock and adding some pinto beans – so delicious!
What to Serve with Carnitas
- All the toppings: There's guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa, salsa verde, fresh or jarred Jalapeños, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese and crumbled cotija cheese.
- Mexican Rice: Fluffy and flavorful, Mexican rice is a perfect companion to carnitas.
- Refried Beans: Try my Homemade Refried Beans on the stovetop or my Instant Pot Refried Bean recipe. They're creamy and rich, and a nice contrast to the crispy carnitas.
- Black Beans: Simple yet flavorful, black beans are a staple side dish that pairs well with carnitas.
- Corn or Flour Tortillas: Soft and warm, they’re perfect for making tacos with the carnitas.
- Pickled Red Onions: They add a tangy crunch that goes great with the tender meat.
- Grilled Vegetables: Peppers, onions, Jalapeños, or sweet peppers sauteed or grilled to perfection make a great, healthy side.
- Corn Salad: Corn any way you serve it pairs great with Carnitas. Try my Jalapeño Cilantro Mexican Corn Salad or my Mexican Street Corn Salad.
Storing, Reheating, and Freezing Pork Carnitas
- How to Store It: Store any leftover pork carnitas in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days.
- How to Reheat: There are two main ways to reheat that I recommend. One is to saute the meat on the stove with some of the cooking liquid over medium heat. Another option is to use the oven to heat the meat at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes, then broil for 2-3 to make it crispy again. That is if there is any leftover!
- How to Freeze: Transfer cooked instant pot pork carnitas to an airtight container or large plastic zip-top freezer bag and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let the meat thaw out in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs
Many people think "Carnitas" refers to pulled pork meat served in a taco shell of some kind. The word "carnitas" is literally translated as "little meats" and refers to the meat itself.
Pork carnitas are usually made with a pork shoulder roast or pork butt roast in the 5-10 pound range, which is usually trimmed into smaller pieces and heavily seasoned before cooking.
Traditional carnitas are made by simmering the meat in lard over a very low heat, until tender. Then the heat is turned up and the outside of the pork begins to crisp. This breaks down the collagen in the meat enough to pull it by hand or with forks.
It is possible to overcook just about any kind of meat in the instant pot, which can result in dry and tough meat. I've found that 20 minutes is usually enough to get the pork perfectly cooked!
The main difference is the final step, which is roasting the pork in the oven and broiling it to give it a nice crispy finish. It's technically not carnitas until you do this, but it will be delicious no matter what!
However you decide to enjoy this Instant Pot Pulled Pork, one thing’s for sure, you will adore it!
But don’t take my word for it – PLEASE try it for yourself.
Seriously, for the love of delicious homemade Mexican food, make this carnitas recipe stat my friend!
More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes
- Easy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Buffalo Chicken (Low Carb)
- Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Buffalo Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs with Risotto
- Instant Pot Chipotle Pomegranate Taco Bites
- How To Cook Instant Pot Corn On The Cob
- Instant Pot Mexican Quinoa and Chicken
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas (Low Carb)
The most delicious and tender pulled pork carnitas you’ve ever tasted!
Ingredients
- 4 pound pork butt roast or pork shoulder roast, cut into into 4-inch chunks, trimmed of excess fat (if you can only find bone-in then get one around 6 – 6.5 pounds.) This recipe works with more meat as well just don't fill the pot above ⅔rds line.
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili pepper, or regular chili powder if you don’t want a kick
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, smashed and rough chopped (or use 1 tsp of garlic powder)
- 1 large onion, rough chopped
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 lime
Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into 4-inch pieces and remove as much fat as you can while doing it.
- Mix all the spices together in a small bowl and rub spices all over the meat.
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute mode and let it get hot, add the olive oil and sear the meat for 2 minutes on the two main sides. Depending on how large your pork shoulder is, you may need to do this in two or three batches. Once all the meat is seared, transfer the meat to a plate or bowl.
- Add the onions and garlic to the pot and saute for 3 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth so the brown bits from the meat that are on the bottom of the pot don’t burn.
- Add the rest of the stock and all the meat (and bone if you have one) then pressure cook the carnitas meat for 20 minutes on high. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure. (Note that the Instant Pot will take between 15-18 minutes to come to pressure depending on how much meat you’re cooking.)
- Next, gently remove the meat from the liquid and place it on a plate to shred. It is so tender it will fall apart effortlessly.
- Strain the fat, onions, and garlic out of the liquid, pour a bit over the pulled pork, and toss. (If you want a thicker sauce, after it's strained, put it back in the Instant Pot and saute it for 5-10 minutes. You can even add a cornstarch/water slurry to thicken it up even quicker.) If you don't use all the cooking liquid be sure to save the rest to use to reheat the meat or in case you want to use it for soup later.
- If desired, broil the meat for 2-3 minutes on a baking sheet until the edges are crispy.
- Finally, squeeze fresh lime juice onto the meat and serve!
Notes
- To reheat the meat... use a skillet on the stove top and saute with some of the cooking liquid. Or place the meat on a baking sheet and spoon some of the liquid over it, place it in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes to get it crispy.
- You can freeze the cooked meat in an airtight container or resealable bag for up to two months.
Nutrition Information
Yield
16Serving Size
4 ouncesAmount Per Serving Calories 138Total Fat 7gSaturated Fat 2gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 47mgSodium 540mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 1gProtein 14g
Johanna
Loved the recipe to meal prep for the week! Do you have a recipe for a soup I could use the liquid in? Thanks!
holly
Hi Johanna, It's great to hear the recipe was a hit! I like the idea of using the pork liquid for soup. I have a Stuffed Pepper Soup with Ground Turkey that I think would be great and a Beef Pot Pie Soup that could be nice as well. Just be careful when adding salt to the recipe since the cooking liquid may have plenty of salt for the recipe.
April
In the pictures you have corn shown. What is the recipe for it?
holly
Hi April, That's a Mexican Street Corn Salad. Here's the link to the recipe if you want to check it out... https://tasteandsee.com/mexican-street-corn-salad/
Lisa Kinnaman
We loved this! My husband commented more that once how good it was and also said "it has great flavor!"
Mara M
These were amazing. I do not normally leave reviews but this recipe was top! My kids went back for 3rds!! The only difference I di was add an 8 oz can crushed pineapple and pressure cook an additional 10 (30 min total) minutes. I made a slurry using my immersion blender with the luquids to pour on top and save with left overs. Yummy!! Thanks!!
holly
Hi Mara, I adore these carnitas and I'm so excited you do too! Your version sounds super delish with the pineapple! I'm gonna have to give that a try. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review - it means so much!! And thanks for the 5 star rating!!!
Wendy Hunter
My husband absolutely loved this recipe as well as myself. I will make this often.
holly
Thanks so much, Wendy! I love hearing that!!