For more Instant Pot Mexican dishes, click on my popular posts for Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos, Instant Pot Chicken Taquitos, and my Instant Pot Beef Enchiladas. It’s been a hot minute since I used my Instant Pot for anything. I’ve been heading to the grill almost every night because…summer. But, I was craving pork carnitas and I feel like to get the appropriate taste they really need to be cooked either for a while in the slow cooker (more on that below) or taste as though they’ve been cooked a long time by using the Instant Pot. Once again, my favorite kitchen gadget did not disappoint! The way the lime and orange juices mingle with the garlic, chili powder, and Italian seasonings just long enough for the pork to infuse with the flavors and get cooked enough to shred into that perfect pork taco…well I think you’ll just need to make these for yourself and see what I mean!
Why this Recipe Works
I’ll give it to you “instantly” why this recipe is a winner in all the ways! Instant Pot — Let’s face it, this kitchen appliance is a hero in our times. Easy to use, fast to cook, and simple to clean! Pork — You just cannot make carnitas without pork. That slow (or in this case, quick) roasted pork shoulder is where it’s at! It’s just that simple. And why would you? Citrus — The other key ingredients here are freshly squeezed lime and orange juices. First of all, they give the pork something to marinade in, and serve as the liquid with which to steam cook the pork. Also, they taste divine when infused into the tender, shredded meat. Toppings — Because what are tacos if not for the taco toppings? Pile ’em on, no rules apply here. If you love it on a taco, it goes on carnitas!
Here’s How you Make it
Are you ready for this? Alright, let’s make the best dang pork carnitas you’ll ever taste, shall we? General prep Directions for Cooking in the Instant Pot Cooking in the Slow Cooker Final Step
What Cut of Meat is Carnitas?
Carnitas are made from the pork shoulder. Pork carnitas are typically cooked low and slow to make the meat super tender. But, lucky for us we have the Instant Pot to make this process that much faster, while losing none of the tenderness and shredability that we need to make these officially “carnitas.”
Expert Tips
Here are a few of my favorite tips for taking your pork carnitas to the next level!
Kick the heat up a notch on these pork carnitas by adding 1 tablespoon of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle peppers with adobo. Or swap out the chili powder for chipotle chili powder. Or add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper. If you don’t want to crisp up the pork on the stovetop, you can broil it in the oven. Spread the shredded pork on a sheet pan, broil for 2-3 minutes, and then pour the juices over the pork and allow to broil for another 3-5 minutes till the meat is crisp on the edges.
More Pork Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Roasted Garlic Butter Pork Tenderloin Sheet Pan Pork Chops with Potatoes and Broccoli Mesquite BBQ Pulled Pork Ultra Juicy Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
Did you make this dish? Please rate the recipe below and tag me on social – I love to see your CDLC creations in real life!
title: “Pork Carnitas” ShowToc: true date: “2024-11-08” author: “Don Williams”
Carnitas literally translates to “little meats.” This pork carnitas recipe was an enormous hit with my whole family the first time I made it and these Carnitas have been made on frequent repeat for over ten years now. For all the length of this recipe, the actual work involved is less than 20 minutes. The pork is delicious on rice, with potatoes, or stuffed into tacos or burritos.
I could hardly stop sampling this meat as I was snapping a picture before serving our plates, it really is that good.
Pork Carnitas Recipe
The basic ingredients are simple as can be, but the result is mouthwateringly tender pieces of meat with a caramelized citrus sauce and plenty of flavor from an abundance of spices. (Unlike many of the Mexican recipes here, there’s no heat in this recipe for pork carnitas.)
Pork shoulder Onion Limes Oranges Spices
Dutch Oven Carnitas
How To Make Carnitas
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are another delicious carnitas recipe, and that recipe never fails to get rave reviews as well. However, if you have a few extra minutes to be hands-on in the kitchen, this classic carnitas recipe is my first choice for carnitas. Serve the carnitas with Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas or The Best Gluten Free Flour Tortillas. Turn this isn’t a Mexican feast with some Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip}, Chipotle Lime Rice, Avocado and Tomato Salad, or Black Bean and Corn Salad. However you serve them, these carnitas are about to rock your meal plan. Also, if you’re lucky enough to have carnitas leftover, I highly recommend a skillet of Carnitas Breakfast Hash the next day. Kitchen Tip: I use this dutch oven, this sheet pan, and these tongs to make this recipe. recipe slightly adapted from and with thanks to Cooks Illustrated via My Kitchen Escapades {recipe originally posted 12/15/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/10/22}
