This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is tender and juicy! Pork shoulder is cooked in the pressure cooker, shredded, and served on tacos.
There's only a little more than an hour between you and these Pork Carnitas Tacos!
I love tacos, you love tacos, we all love tacos - We can agree on that, right? I've never met a person who doesn't enjoy tacos in some form or another.
I live in a small town and our neighboring town down the road has at least 4-5 stellar taco joints. The newest one is open 24 hours - Delicious tacos available 24 hours a day in a small town?! That makes me a happy camper.
Whenever I visit a Mexican restaurant I usually alternate between the pollo adobado (spicy marinated chicken), carne asada, and pork carnitas. I love them all for varying reasons so I'm not going to say that any of them are THE BEST (they're all winners in my mind).
I can tell you that I love pork carnitas because the meat is tender and succulent and melts in your mouth. It's basically like meat candy.
In an effort to re-create that meat treat at home I turned to the Instant Pot - I love this thing because it can churn out restaurant-quality fare in about an hour.
Jump to:
What Are Pork Carnitas?
Carnitas literally means 'little meats' and are made by slowly simmering pork in oil or lard until tender.
The process usually takes hours and the meat is traditionally made using a copper or heavy-bottomed pan that distributes heat evenly and renders the fat out of the meat and then the meat is cooked in that fat.
Nowadays it can be made on the stove top, in a slow cooker, or using a contraption that has swept the nation these past few years - The Instant Pot.
Instant Pots are GREAT for turning tough cuts of meat like chuck roast into fork tender fare in no time at all!
These Instant Pot Pork Carnitas are made using pork shoulder (also known as pork butt). This is a relatively tough cut of meat and is layered with fat - It's often used to make things like pulled pork.
*Always be sure to exercise caution when using an Instant Pot. Check out this guide for any questions you may have regarding use of your Instant Pot.
This recipe uses a 2 ½ pound pork shoulder roast.
- The first step is to trim any excess fat off the sides using a knife.
- Once the fat is trimmed cut the roast into large cubes. Feel free to remove any large pieces of fat from the cubes after they're cut.
- The meat cubes are sautéed in the Instant Pot along with a little salt and pepper to lock in the flavors and give them a nice sear. Turn the Instant Pot on and press the 'Sauté' setting. Add 1 Tbsp. of oil to the pot. Place half of the meat in the pot along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes on the first side. Flip the meat and repeat on the second side.
How To Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
- This will likely need to be completed in two stages - Once the first batch of meat is seared on all sides remove it and set aside.
- Pour 1 more Tbsp. of oil into the pot and add the second half of the meat along with more salt and pepper. Sear for 2-3 minutes, flip, and repeat. Remove the meat and set aside.
Add The Garlic and Onions
You know I can't post a recipe without adding some garlic and onions and this one is no different.
- Once the meat is removed some of the oil and fat should remain in the pot - Leave it! Add 6 cloves of minced garlic and 1 minced onion to the pot. Saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Brown bits will likely form on the bottom of the pot and that's OK - They'll get scraped up when we add the liquid component of the recipe.
Love Southwest flavors? Check out these recipes!
- Cheesy Beef Refried Bean Enchiladas
- Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
- Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Grilled Southwest Burgers
- Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole
How To Add Flavor To Pork Carnitas
There are lots of components that give these pork carnitas lots of flavor and this is one of them - The sauce that is cooked with the pork!
- To make the sauce combine ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ½ cup orange juice, ⅓ cup lime juice, 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. Adobo seasoning, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. chili powder, ¼ tsp. salt and pepper, and 1-2 minced chipotles in adobo sauce.
- Stir all of the ingredients until completely combined.
Kitchen Tip: Do you ever end up with a half-used can of chipotles in adobo sauce? Pour the extra chipotles and sauce into a freezer-safe bag, seal it, and store in the freezer. Simply cut a chunk off any time you need it! (I learned that one from my Mom and it works great).
- Once the sauce is combined pour it into the Instant Pot and scrape up those brown bits.
- Return the seared pork to the pot and submerge it in the liquid. Bring to a light boil.
- Place the cover on top and make sure it is in the locked position and that the valve it sealed.
- Press the ‘Cancel/Off’ button and then press the ‘Manual’ button. Set the timer for 45 minutes.
How Long Does It Take To Make Pressure Cooker Carnitas?
The pork shoulder is first cooked in the Instant Pot and then the meat is transferred to a baking sheet and finished under the broiler in the oven.
- It will take a few minutes for the Instant Pot to seal. Once it does the carnitas will pressure cook for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to come down for an additional 20 minutes after that. Feel free to release the valve after 20 minutes or so.
You know how the carnitas you order at a restaurant are tender but also a little crispy?
- This can be achieved by scooping the cooked meat out of the Instant Pot, shredding it, pouring some of the sauce over the top, and broiling it in the oven for 5-6 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven once the edges of the meat are crispy.
This will give you those crispy edges that we all know and love.
What To Serve With Pork Carnitas
Once the meat is broiled it's done! You can use it in any number of ways but you know I love my tacos.
These tacos are served very simply. Heat a few corn tortillas and spoon some of the pork on them. Garnish with minced onion, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of guacamole, roasted poblano dip, or sliced avocado.
Other topping ideas include pickled onions, pickled or fresh radishes, jalapenos, Pico de Gallo, cotija or Queso fresco cheese, or even some cheese sauce if you want to get really decadent.
I would suggest the lime and/or something pickled as this helps to cut through the richness of the meat.
Great side dishes include Cheesy Spanish Rice, Southwest Black Bean Corn Salad, Smoky Chipotle Coleslaw, or Kohlrabi Slaw.
Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Don't miss these!
- Instant Pot Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- Instant Pot Split Pea Soup
- Instant Pot Wild Rice
- Instant Pot Green Lentils
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
Can Pork Carnitas Be Frozen?
These Instant Pot Pork Carnitas actually make an excellent freezer meal!
How To Freeze
- Prepare the carnitas as directed.
- Allow the meat cool completely, place it in a heavy duty freezer bag (pressing the air out of the bag), label with the date, and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How To Thaw:
- Transfer the meat to the fridge 24 hours before serving.
- Once thawed, spread the meat out on a baking sheet and cook in the oven until heated through. Feel free to add some broth or water if the meat has dried out slightly.
- Prepare any toppings just before serving.
Carnitas go beyond tacos - You can use the meat for any of your favorite Mexican meals from burrito bowls to salads to quesadillas. This truly is a versatile recipe!
Love tacos? Check out these recipes!
- Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos
- Sheet Pan Shrimp Tacos
- Skillet Chipotle Chicken Tacos
- Crockpot Barbacoa Beef Tacos
- Air Fryer Fish Tacos
- Air Fried Shrimp Tacos
Looking For More Carnitas Recipes? Don't Miss These!
Pork Carnitas Empanadas
Easy Pork Carnitas Tostadas
BBQ Pulled Pork Quesadillas
Paleo Enchiladas
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Tacos
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 2 ½ lbs. pork shoulder
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 large onion
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup orange juice
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- 1-2 minced chipotles in adobo
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. Adobo seasoning
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. onion powder
- ½ tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. kosher salt split
- ½ tsp. pepper split
- 1 package corn tortillas
- 2 avocados
- 1 lime
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Mince 6 cloves of garlic and 1 large onion.
- For the sauce: Combine ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth, ½ cup orange juice, ⅓ cup lime juice, 1-2 minced chipotles in adobo sauce, 1 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. Adobo seasoning, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. chili powder, and ¼ tsp. each of kosher salt and pepper in a small bowl. Stir until completely combined.
- Trim the fat from a 2 ½ pound pork shoulder or pork butt roast. Cut the roast into large cubes. Remove any excess fat from the pork cubes.
- Turn the Instant Pot On and press the 'Sauté' setting. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil to the Instant Pot.
- Place half of the pork cubes in the pot along with a generous pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes on the first side, flip and repeat with the second side. Once the meat is seared remove and set aside. Repeat with the second half of the meat, adding the second Tbsp. of olive oil.
- Add the minced garlic and onions to the pot and saute for 1-2 minutes, stirring often.
- Pour the prepared sauce into the Instant Pot and scrape any brown bits off the bottom. Return the seared pork and submerge in the liquid.
- Place the cover on the Instant Pot making sure it is sealed and in the locked position. Press the ‘Cancel/Off’ button and then press the ‘Manual’ button. Set the timer for 45 minutes.
- Allow the pressure to build, cook for 45 minutes, and then let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. Release the valve after 20 minutes or so.Turn the Instant Pot off and unplug it when finished.
- Remove the meat from the pot, shred it, and place it on a baking sheet. Pour some of the liquids on top of the meat. Turn the oven to Broil and cook for 5-6 minutes in the oven. This will make the edges a little crispy.
- Serve the carnitas with warmed corn tortillas, minced onions, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and guacamole or avocado slices.
For The Guacamole:
- Combine 2 ripe avocados, 1 Tbsp. lime juice, and a generous pinch of kosher salt in a small bowl. Mash with a fork until smooth.
Jo Thrasher • Jo Eats
I've officially put an instant pot on my birthday wish list - can't wait to get it so I can try this!
Christine
Instant Pots are so awesome for recipes like this - Tough cuts of meat take no time at all to cook!