Looking for a flavorful, fall-apart tender meal that practically cooks itself? Easy Instant Pot Carnitas are the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers. This dish transforms humble pork shoulder into melt-in-your-mouth, citrusy, and deeply savory morsels perfect for stuffing into tacos, piling on rice bowls, or devouring straight from the sheet pan. With minimal prep and a handful of pantry ingredients, you’ll have restaurant-quality carnitas right at home in just over an hour.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these Easy Instant Pot Carnitas is in their simplicity. Each ingredient brings something essential to the table—bold spices, fresh citrus, and succulent pork all meld together for a result that’s truly unforgettable.
- Pork shoulder (3 pounds, boneless): This cut is marbled with enough fat to keep the meat juicy and flavorful as it cooks down to tender perfection.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Just enough to get a golden, tasty sear on the pork pieces during the sauté step.
- Chili powder (1 tablespoon): Adds classic warmth and color that make carnitas pop.
- Ground cumin (2 teaspoons): Gives a deep, earthy base note that pairs perfectly with citrus and spice.
- Dried oregano (1 teaspoon): Lends a touch of herbal brightness to balance out the richness of the pork.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Provides that unmistakable, savory backbone we all love in Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Boosts the complexity and brings out the natural sweetness in the pork.
- Salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Essential for flavor—don’t be shy with it here!
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Just enough to add a peppery kick.
- Smoked paprika (1/2 teaspoon, optional): A little hint of smokiness takes these carnitas over the top.
- Orange juice (1 cup, about 2 oranges): Brings a subtle, sunny sweetness that’s a signature note in carnitas.
- Lime juice (1/4 cup, about 2 limes): Adds zing and perfectly brightens up the flavors.
- Chicken broth (1/2 cup): Keeps everything extra juicy and helps create a richly flavored cooking liquid.
How to Make Easy Instant Pot Carnitas
Step 1: Mix and Rub the Spices
Start by grabbing a small bowl and whisking together your chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using). Then, take each chunky piece of pork and lovingly massage this spice mixture all over. This ensures the meat soaks up every ounce of flavor right from the start, setting the stage for standout carnitas.
Step 2: Sear the Pork
Set your Instant Pot to Sauté mode and add the olive oil. Searing the pork in batches gives those juicy pieces a golden crust and helps lock in flavor. Just a few minutes per side is all it takes—don’t skip this step, even if you’re in a rush. Once all the pieces are browned, turn off Sauté mode and pop all the pork back into the pot.
Step 3: Add Citrus and Broth
Pour in the orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. The citrus not only tenderizes the pork but also infuses it with vibrant flavor, while the broth keeps everything moist and delicious. The kitchen will already smell incredible, trust me!
Step 4: Pressure Cook
Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to Pressure Cook (Manual) on High Pressure for 45 minutes. Give yourself a break while the magic happens inside the pot. When time’s up, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes before quick-releasing any remaining steam. This gradual release guarantees perfectly tender, juicy meat every time.
Step 5: Shred and Crisp (Optional but Highly Recommended!)
Once the pressure is down, carefully transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred it with two forks. If you love crispy edges (who doesn’t?), spread the shredded meat on a foil-lined baking sheet and give it a 3 to 5 minute stint under your broiler. Spoon a touch of the flavorful cooking liquid over the pork before serving for a juicy finish.
How to Serve Easy Instant Pot Carnitas
Garnishes
This is where you can really make Easy Instant Pot Carnitas your own. Fresh cilantro, chopped red onion, creamy avocado, juicy lime wedges, and fiery salsa always make the table more festive and delicious. Pico de gallo, queso fresco, or pickled jalapeños are fantastic additions too—build a garnish bar and let everyone customize their perfect bite.
Side Dishes
No carnitas feast is complete without a few well-chosen sides! Think fluffy Mexican rice, homemade guacamole, simple black beans, or a big bowl of crunchy slaw. Warm tortillas (corn or flour!) are essential for taco mode, and some folks love adding grilled street corn for that summer cookout vibe.
Creative Ways to Present
The beauty of Easy Instant Pot Carnitas is in their versatility. Pile them into tacos with all your favorite fixings, pack them into burrito bowls, or layer them on nachos drizzled with melty cheese. Try them on a baked sweet potato, in lettuce cups for a lighter meal, or as a hearty filling for tamales or enchiladas—the only limit is your imagination!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easy Instant Pot Carnitas are almost as exciting as the first round. Cool any extra pork to room temperature and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Don’t forget to save the flavorful cooking juices separately to keep things moist when you reheat.
Freezing
Carnitas freeze beautifully! Portion cooled meat into zip-top bags or airtight containers (spoon some of that cooking liquid in), and freeze for up to three months. Label each batch for easy weekday meal prep or last-minute taco nights down the road.
Reheating
To reheat Easy Instant Pot Carnitas, simply warm them in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or reserved cooking liquid to keep them juicy. If you crave crispy edges, finish with a quick broil—just like the original recipe. Microwave reheating works in a pinch, but stovetop or oven methods yield the tastiest results.
FAQs
Can I use pork loin instead of pork shoulder?
Pork loin is much leaner and doesn’t shred quite as nicely as shoulder, but it will still work. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t dry out—pork shoulder is ideal for that melt-in-your-mouth texture carnitas are known for.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! As long as your Instant Pot is big enough, you can scale up the ingredients for a bigger batch. Just don’t go above the max fill line, and keep the cooking time the same—pressure cooking makes it easy to feed a crowd!
Does this recipe work in a slow cooker?
Yes! Prepare everything as described, then cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours in your slow cooker. Finish with a quick broil for those irresistible crispy bits.
How can I make Easy Instant Pot Carnitas spicier?
Add a minced jalapeño or a dash of cayenne to the spice rub for extra heat, or serve with your favorite spicy salsa or hot sauce on the side.
Can I make this recipe ahead for meal prep?
Definitely! Carnitas are perfect for meal prep. Store in portioned containers with a bit of the cooking liquid, and you’ll have quick, delicious lunches or dinners ready to go all week.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a meal that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, Easy Instant Pot Carnitas are here to save the day. With deep, satisfying flavor and super simple prep, this is one recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. Grab your favorite toppings, invite some friends, and get ready for a truly delicious experience!
Print
Easy Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This easy Instant Pot carnitas recipe will give you flavorful and tender shredded pork that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or rice dishes. With a simple spice rub and a combination of citrus juices, this dish is bursting with Mexican-inspired taste.
Ingredients
Pork:
3 pounds pork shoulder (boneless), cut into large chunks
Spice Rub:
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Liquids:
1 cup orange juice (about 2 oranges), 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes), 1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare Spice Rub: Mix chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Rub all over pork.
- Sear Pork: Sauté pork in olive oil in Instant Pot until browned.
- Pressure Cook: Add orange juice, lime juice, and broth. Pressure cook on High for 45 minutes. Release pressure naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release.
- Shred Pork: Remove pork, shred with forks. Optional: crisp under broiler. Serve with cooking liquid.
Notes
- Serve with toppings like cilantro, onion, avocado, or salsa.
- Leftover carnitas freeze well for future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
