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    Popular » Recipes » Instant Pot

    Easy Instant Pot Carnitas

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 2, 2020 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    This Easy Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe makes tender, juicy Mexican pulled pork from a pork shoulder in the pressure cooker. Perfect for tacos or burritos!

    Jump to Recipe -
    crispy shredded pork carnitas in white bowl

    Make the BEST ever carnitas right in your own home with this super easy Instant Pot recipe for Mexican style pulled pork. Just add a seasoned pork butt/shoulder to your Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker, and in less than 2 hours, you'll have the most flavorful tender, juicy pulled pork ever.

    Pull the meat apart and crisp it up under the broiler. Seriously friends, you can enjoy the BEST pork tacos without leaving the house.

    Usually, I make regular pulled pork in my Instant Pot and make quick leftover pork carnitas the next day. But last week, I had the biggest craving for Mexican food, so I had the Hubs stop by our favorite local butcher shop just so I could make a huge batch of carnitas that night!

    People will argue day and night about what makes an authentic carnitas recipe, so I'm not going there. I will say that pressure cooking the pork with citrus juices helps break down a tough cut of beef and makes it fork tender in no time -- faster than in a Dutch oven or slow cooker!

    What's the Best Meat for Carnitas?

    Carnitas means "little meats" in Spanish. So personally, I think the best cut for little, or shredded pork is pork shoulder or pork butt. You can do a bone-in pork shoulder, which is what we usually do, or boneless.

    How to Make Easy Pork Carnitas in the Pressure Cooker

    When I make my usual pulled pork, I season it liberally all over, and Mexican pulled pork is no different. I just add a little chili powder or ancho chili powder and ground cumin to the usual spice mixture.

    If you don't have these spices, you can use a packet of your favorite taco seasoning. That works just as well.

    You also want to cut the pork into smaller pieces. I like to do 3 big chunks.

    pork shoulder with dry rub

    I'd rather not take that much time cutting meat, so I leave them in larger pieces, throw it all into the pot, and let the pressure cooker do the work! Next, add a chopped onion and garlic cloves -- I like to stick them into the meat!

    pork shoulder in instant pot with onions and garlic

    Squirt the juice from a lime and an orange over the meat -- The citrus helps break down the fat and connective tissues and adds a subtle fresh flavor. Finally, pour in a bottle of your favorite beer.

    This definitely isn't authentic, but if you use one with fruit or citrus notes, it adds even more flavor. I use Blue Moon for Instant Pot ribs, and I use a local Four Peaks peach lager or the Blue Moon for carnitas.

    How Long to Pressure Cook Pork Shoulder

    Pressure cook the pork for 90 minutes in the Instant Pot, and it'll be perfectly fork tender. I've tried cooking for less time, but it wasn't easily shreddable. 90 minutes is golden, friends!

    cooked pork carnitas in pressure cooker with onions and juice

    Make Crispy Shredded Pork

    Arrange the pulled pork on a large baking sheet, and pour some of the cooking liquid over the meat. Then, broil the carnitas for about 5 to 10 minutes or until as crispy as you like it.

    crispy pork carnitas on baking sheet

    Now, you're ready to make your pork tacos or just eat the meat off the tray -- We've done this before! So dang good!

    shredded mexican pork in a white bowl

    What to Serve with Carnitas

    • Tortillas
    • Tomatoes or pico de gallo
    • Avocado slices or guacamole
    • Sour cream
    • Jalapeño slices
    • Shredded cheese or cotija cheese
    • Chopped cilantro

    Really, you can add whatever you want. The leftovers are perfect for pulled pork nachos!

    instant pot pork carnitas taco with tomatoes and jalapeno peppers
    close up of pork carnitas in a white bowl

    Easy Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe

    crispy shredded pork carnitas in white bowl

    Easy Instant Pot Carnitas

    Published by Dee
    This Easy Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe makes tender, juicy Mexican pulled pork from a pork shoulder in the pressure cooker. Crisp the shredded pork in the oven and it's Perfect for tacos or burritos!
    5 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr 30 mins
    pressure time 10 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 45 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 15
    Calories 180 kcal

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 pound pork shoulder roast (pork butt) cut into 3 large pieces
    • 2 teaspoons sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon ancho chili powder
    • 1 onion cut into chunks
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • 1 lime juice of
    • 1 orange juice of
    • 1 bottle beer use Mexican beer or beer with citrus or fruit notes for best flavor

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the pork into 3 large chunks
    • Mix the sea salt, garlic powder, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika and chili powder together, and rub into pork
    • Place the seasoned pork into pressure cooker, and add the onion and garlic cloves. Squeeze the orange and lime juice over the pork, and pour the beer into the pot
    • Place the lid on the pressure cooker, turn vent to Sealing position, and hit PRESSURE COOK for 90 minutes (display reads 130)
    • When pot beeps, allow 15 minute release, then turn vent knob to release remaining pressure
    • When pin drops, remove lid, and shred pork
    • Place pork on rimmed baking sheet, add some of the cooking liquid, and broil for about 10 minutes or until top is crispy. Add more of the juice over pork before serving

    Notes

    Recipe was made in 8 quart Instant Pot pressure cooker but can be made in a 6 quart if everything fits. 
    You can sub any thin liquid for the beer.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 312mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Recipe and post updated April 2020

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Suzy says

      April 07, 2020 at 7:10 am

      This was so tasty and flavorful! Love using the instant pot to make it!

      Reply
    2. Sandra says

      April 06, 2020 at 9:18 am

      I loved it!! So juicy and delicious!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 06, 2020 at 9:44 pm

        Thanks so much, Sandra! We just love this!

    3. Carrie Robinson says

      April 04, 2020 at 6:20 am

      This looks so good! And I love that you made in the instant pot. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2020 at 1:49 pm

        Thanks, Carrie! We love roasts in the IP!

    4. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      April 03, 2020 at 10:54 pm

      This Easy Instant Pot Carnitas couldn't look any more perfect!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        April 13, 2020 at 1:52 pm

        Thank you so much, Erin! We absolutely love this!

    5. Beth Pierce says

      July 30, 2019 at 10:42 am

      I know what I will be making for dinner tonight! A restaurant worthy dish, indeed! Delicious!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:12 am

        Thanks, Beth! Hope you enjoy this one. 🙂

    6. Taylor says

      July 30, 2019 at 7:02 am

      One of my favorite instant pot recipes! So delicious with tons of flavor!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:11 am

        There's definitely a lot of flavor here. Thanks!

    7. Catalina says

      July 30, 2019 at 6:30 am

      I love Instant Pot dishes! And this one looks so inviting!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:10 am

        Thank you so much, Catalina. We loved it!

      • Catalina says

        April 05, 2020 at 5:06 am

        I've made this and it was so delicious! My family loved it a lot!5 stars

      • Dee says

        April 05, 2020 at 2:47 pm

        Awesome, Catalina. Thanks for letting me know!

    8. Lora says

      July 30, 2019 at 3:30 am

      So perfect when you are craving the best carnitas!!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:10 am

        My daughter said the homemade carnitas were better than a restaurant! 🙂

    9. Chrissie Baker says

      July 30, 2019 at 12:59 am

      This sounds SO GOOD! I cannot wait to make this! Thanks for your recipe. The photos just about have me drooling.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:07 am

        Thanks so much! It tastes even better than it looks! 😉

    10. Sara Welch says

      July 29, 2019 at 10:29 pm

      Another great recipe for my Instant Pot! Looks amazing; can't wait to make this for dinner tomorrow!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:06 am

        Thanks, Sara! Hope you like it!

    11. Demeter says

      July 29, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      This is so great to make at the beginning of the week and be able to get a few meals off of. Super easy in the IP too. Thanks!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 30, 2019 at 11:06 am

        I've gotten several meals from this roast! 🙂

    12. James says

      July 29, 2019 at 6:36 am

      Tried this over the weekend and it was awesome. Made both the Carnitas and then had nachos with the leftovers.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 29, 2019 at 1:57 pm

        Sooo glad you liked the carnitas, James! Thanks so much!

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

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