Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Tender, juicy pork bursting with so much flavor! This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is the perfect family dinner recipe. It’s easy to make in your pressure cooker and makes the perfect taco, burrito or quesadilla.

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This post is sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. All text and opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for the best taco meat, enchilada or burrito filling look no further than this Instant Pot pork carnitas recipe! If you made carnitas in the oven it would take hours. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have hours to babysit something in the oven. Give me the IP instead – it takes the cooking time way down.

In about an hour and a half you can have tender shredded pork that is loaded with flavor! You can use it to make so many things – tacos, nachos, and burrito bowls are just a few. Plus, pork is packed with protein so I feel good feeding it to my family! If you don’t have an IP, no worries! I have a really great slow cooker carnitas recipe that’s just as easy.

Instant Pot dinners are truly a go-to for me. Whether it’s meatloaf or savory French dip sandwiches, I’m always looking for a quick way to make family favorites. This recipe for Instant Pot pork shoulder carnitas is definitely on repeat around here. Once you try it, you’ll see why!

Why You’ll Love these Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

• If you think homemade carnitas are too complicated or time-consuming, you have got to try this Instant Pot recipe. It’s so delicious, so easy, and a hit every time I make it. 
• Serve these pork carnitas so many different ways. You can wrap that delicious meat up in tortillas and add all of your favorite toppings, serve over rice, serve on a salad and so much more.
• These carnitas are fall-apart tender and so flavorful. It’s really easy to make an incredible meal when you have the right recipe and the magic of an Instant Pot!

Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

• Mexican beer – I like to use Pilsner or lager beer in this recipe. It provides the best flavor.
• Fresh orange juice – Trust me on this — the extra work of fresh squeezed orange juice makes all the difference. Don’t use bottled unless you’re in a pinch!
• Fresh lime juice – Same with the orange juice, fresh squeezed lime juice makes a major difference on flavor.
• Minced garlic cloves – Some freshly minced garlic cloves are my favorite way to add flavor to pork carnitas.
• Salt and ground black pepper – Season the pork with salt and pepper to bring out all the flavors.
• Chili powder – A little chili powder adds some spice and depth of flavor.
• Onion powder – I like to top my pork carnitas with fresh onions, but I use onion powder in the recipe too!
• Dried oregano – Add in some dried oregano for that herby touch in this Instant Pot pork shoulder carnitas recipe.
• Ground cumin – This is a quintessential spice for pork carnitas. Don’t skip this spice!

How to Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Once you have your pork shoulder and the other ingredients, you’re ready to make some delicious carnitas! Here’s the step-by-step so they turn out perfectly every time:

First, season the pork all over with kosher salt and black pepper. Cut it into 4″ chunks.

Turn on the sauté setting on your Instant Pot. Add canola oil, vegetable oil or olive oil to the pot and warm it.

Once it’s hot, place some pork pieces in the pot. Don’t overcrowd them – there should be some space between the pieces of pork so that they can brown evenly. If needed, cook them in batches.

Brown the pork on all sides and then take it out of the pot. Turn off the sauté setting and then pour the beer into the pot. Use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to scrape up the browned bits off the bottom.

Add all of the other ingredients and stir to combine. Place the browned pork pieces in the braising liquid, and add any juices that collected on the plate you rested them on too. Secure the lid and close the steam vent.

Cook at high pressure for one hour and then do a natural release for the pressure. After 15 minutes, open the steam vent and remove the lid.

Take the pork out and place it in a bowl. Turn on the sauté setting and simmer the liquid for about five minutes while you shred the meat. Place the shredded pork in the cooking liquid and stir to coat it evenly. Turn off the IP.

To crisp up the meat, turn on the broiler and move an oven rack to six inches below the broiler.

Spread the shredded meat on a baking sheet and broil it for about four to five minutes. Turn the meat over and broil it for four to five minutes on the other side. Once the edges of the shredded pork are browned and crispy, it’s ready.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and it’s ready to serve!

The Best Cut of Pork to Use

The first thing you’ll need is pork and not just any cut! Pork shoulder is the best cut of meat to use because it’s marbled with fat. When you cook it, the fat melts into the meat giving it tons of flavor. It also makes the meat incredibly tender.

I like to use a 3 to 4 pound pork shoulder. If you cooked it in the oven it would take quite a while to cook – that’s why I love the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking means less cooking time, which means dinner is on the table faster.

I like to trim the excess fat and cut the shoulder into chunks. This makes it easier to brown in the IP.

How are traditional carnitas made?

What makes pork carnitas so delicious are all the seasonings, juices, herbs, and spices. If you make carnitas the traditional Mexican way, you would braise the pork in lard and spices in the oven. 

For this recipe, I skip that extra fat – the pork has plenty so all you need are a few ingredients to make a delicious braising liquid.

When you cook the pork shoulder in the braising liquid all of the flavors get infused into the meat. I love the mix of citrus, beer, and seasonings – the complement the flavor of the pork. It’s so good! 

How to Serve Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Carnitas

Pork Carnitas Tacos: Pile that delicious meat in corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Top them with onions, salsa, avocado, and sour cream!

Burritos: Or, use it to make the best burritos! Fill large flour tortillas with Spanish rice, carnitas, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, black beans, and all of your other favorite fillings.

Taco Bowls/Burrito Bowls: Skip the tortillas and pile the meat on rice and add your favorite taco toppings. Or replace the beef in beef enchiladas and roll the carnitas up in corn tortillas instead. Place them in a baking dish, add enchiladas sauce and cheese. Bake them until hot and bubbly.

Nachos: Grab the tortilla chips and use your carnitas to make the best nachos ever! Top them with cheese, diced jalapeños, red onion, and sliced olives and add some sour cream, guacamole, refried beans, and salsa on the side for dipping.

Make Ahead Tips

This Instant Pot carnitas recipe is great for meal prep! You can make a batch, pop it in the fridge, and use it to make easy meals during the week.

It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days. Be sure to store it with the cooking liquid – this will keep the meat from drying out. Reheat in the microwave for quick meals!

You can also freeze it for several months to have on hand later.

Are you ready to break out the IP to make this easy pork carnitas recipe? You are going to love the flavors in this dish and you’ll love how many ways you can use it to make delicious dinners. Try it soon, friends – you’re going to love it!

Instant Pot pork tacos are mouthwateringly delicious and so easy to make. Create this go-to recipe for dinner tonight!

More Amazing Pork Recipes

• If you need a quick weeknight dinner or freezer meal, you have to try my Lasagna Casserole!
• Learn how to make the best Pork Loin with Vegetables. This is a great meal for Sunday supper!
• Need a great appetizer? My Cream Cheese Sausage Dip is a hot dip that no one can resist. It’s always the first to go at parties!
• These Pulled Pork Sliders are a great game day recipe and are perfect for a super tasty dinner too.

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

5 from 6 votes

Instant Pot Carnitas

Tender, juicy pork shoulder that's pressured cooked in beer and seasonings makes the best Instant Pot Carnitas!

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cook:1 hour hr

Natural Release:15 minutes mins

Total:1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 3-4 pounds boneless pork shoulder trimmed and cut into 4 inch by 4 inch squares
• ▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
• ▢ 12 ounces Mexican beer Pilsner or lager beer
• ▢ ½ cup fresh orange juice
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh lime juice
• ▢ 5 garlic cloves minced
• ▢ 2 teaspoons salt
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 teaspoons chili powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ▢ 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• ▢ Chopped fresh cilantro to garnish optional

Serving suggestions

• ▢ Warm corn tortillas chopped onions, chopped cilantro, avocado, salsa, pico de gallo, crumbled Queso Fresco, lime wedges etc.

Instructions

• Season the pork with 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
• Turn the Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Heat 1 Tablespoon of oil and, working in 2 batches, add the pork pieces and sear until evenly brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer meat to plate and proceed with remaining oil and pork. Remove the last batch and place on a plate. Press cancel on the Instant Pot to turn off heat.
• Pour the beer into the hot Instant Pot and using a wooden spoon scrape the bottom of the pot to remove any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and return the pork and any juices on the plate to the Instant Pot.
• Place the lid on top of the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is in the sealed position. Cook in HIGH pressure for 60 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release for 15 minutes at the end of cooking time. Then release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
• Remove the pork from the pressure cooker and shred the meat.
• While you are shredding the meat, turn the pressure cooker to the Sauté mode and reduce the liquid for about five minutes.
• Return shredded pork to the Instant Pot and toss to get the meat coated in cooking liquid. Then press cancel to turn off heat.
• Turn the oven broiler to high. Place the top oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source.
• Transfer the pork to a baking sheet and spread the pork out into an even layer. Transferring some liquid with the pork is ideal.
• Broil pork for about 4-5 minutes, flip it over and broil for another 4-5 minutes or until the edges of the pork begin to brown.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven, sprinkle with chopped cilantro (optional) and serve with suggested toppings.

Tips

How To Serve It
Pork Carnitas Tacos: Pile that delicious meat in corn tortillas or flour tortillas. Top them with onions, salsa, avocado, and sour cream!

Burritos: Or, use it to make the best burritos! Fill large flour tortillas with Mexican rice, carnitas, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, and all of your other favorite fillings.

Taco Bowls/Burrito Bowls: Skip the tortillas and pile the meat on rice and add your favorite taco toppings. Enchiladas: Roll the carnitas up in corn tortillas, place them in a baking dish, add enchiladas sauce and cheese. Bake them until hot and bubbly.

Nachos: Grab the tortilla chips and use your carnitas to make the best nachos ever! Top them with cheese, diced jalapenos, red onion, and sliced olives and add some sour cream, guacamole, and salsa on the side for dipping.

Make Ahead Tips
It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to four days. Be sure to store it with the cooking liquid – this will keep the meat from drying out. Reheat in the microwave for quick meals!

You can also freeze it for several months to have on hand later.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 283kcal (14%), Carbohydrates: 5g (2%), Protein: 39g (78%), Fat: 10g (15%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 102mg (34%), Sodium: 1266mg (55%), Potassium: 731mg (21%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 196IU (4%), Vitamin C: 11mg (13%), Calcium: 33mg (3%), Iron: 2mg (11%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.