Pork Carnitas
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The very best Pork Carnitas recipe! Get big, bold, authentic flavors using a handful of simple pantry ingredients like pork roast, lime juice, orange juice, and spices. Whip it up in a cinch using your slow cooker/crockpot or Instant Pot for ultra-tender Mexican shredded pork!
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
- Chop the roast into 4 equal-sized portions.
- Place the 4 pieces into the bottom of the Instant Pot/pressure cooker or slow cooker.
- Add the salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, dried herbs, and both the orange and lime juices.
Directions for Cooking in the Instant Pot
- Put the lid on and turn to the “locked” position. Turn the vent valve to “sealed” and set to “pressure cook” or “manual” for 60 minutes.
- When the cook time is up, allow the pressure cooker to vent naturally for 10 minutes, t
hen turn the vent to allow remaining pressure to escape. Remove the lid when the float valve drops.
Cooking in the Slow Cooker
- Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.
Final Step
- Whatever method you chose, when the pork is done cooking, you’ll transfer it to a large bowl (save the juices) and shred the pork with two forks.
- Drizzle a large skillet (cast iron or another frying pan) with oil and bring to medium-high heat.
- Add the shredded pork and sear it for a bit on all sides till the edges begin to crisp up.
- Pour one cup of the reserved juices over the pork in the skillet and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes longer, or until the liquid reduces and the pork is nice and crisp on the edges. (Do in batches using more juice if you have a smaller skillet.)
- Serve plain or use for tacos, bowls, burritos, enchiladas — you get the idea!
Frequently Asked Questions
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
- Chipotle Barbacoa Beef
- Mesquite BBQ Pulled Pork
- Ultra Juicy Grilled BBQ Pork Chops
- Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Copycat
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!
Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 3 pound pork butt roast, or pork shoulder, boneless
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Herbs de Provence, or Italian herb blend
- 2 oranges, juiced
- 6 limes, juiced
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Chop roast into 3-inch chunks. Place roast pieces in the bottom of your Instant Pot/pressure cooker, or slow cooker.
- Add salt, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, dried herbs, orange juice, and lime juice.
Instant Pot
- Cover and turn lid to locked position. Turn vent valve to sealed position. Set to PRESSURE COOK or MANUAL for 60 minutes.
- When cook time is up, allow to depressurize naturally for 10 minutes, then turn vent valve to the VENT position. Remove lid once float valve has dropped.
Slow Cooker
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours.
The final step
- Once your pork has finished cooking, transfer it to a large bowl (save the juices from the pot!) and shred with two forks. Meanwhile, preheat oven to BROIL.
- Spread shredded pork out on a large sheet pan. Broil for 2-3 minutes, then pour juices over the pork and continue to broil 5-7 minutes longer til crisp around the edges. (Tip: You can toss with tongs and broil a few minutes longer for even more crispiness.)
- Serve plain or use for tacos, bowls, burritos enchiladas quesadillas – the possibilities are endless. Enjoy!
Notes
- Drizzle a large skillet (cast iron is my preferred for best results but another frying pan will work just fine) with oil and bring to medium-high heat.
- Add shredded pork and sear for a couple of minutes until edges begin to crisp up. Pour 1 cup of the reserved juices over the pork. Continue to cook 3-4 minutes longer until liquid reduces and the pork is nice and crisp on the edges. (Depending on the size of your skillet you may need to do this in batches, use a fresh scoop of juices for each batch).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this be cooked in a Dutch oven pot in the oven?
This recipe hasn’t been tested in a Dutch Oven but I’m sure it would work!
If using a smaller piece of pork, do you reduce the cook time?
Yes, I would reduce the time.
What is the recipe for green sauce & corn mixture that you put on the carnitas. Thank you
https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/cilantro-avocado-ranch-dressing/
Fantastic recipe, the family can’t stop asking for me to make this over, and over and over again!
Leftovers are also excellent the next day! I do not deviate from the recipe, it is perfect as is.
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks for your positive feedback, Andre.
Great flavor, with minimal effort. Already made this twice in 3 weeks!
Nice flavours totally filling and a fast paced meal.