This highly versatile and fall-apart-tender instant pot pork carnita recipe can be served in so many different ways. For starters, this seasoned, tender shredded pork is delicious in a burrito bowl, lettuce wraps, pork tacos, salads, or served over rice.

Craving the bold and vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican food? Look no further than our mouthwatering Instant Pot pork carnitas recipe. Thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot, you can achieve tender and juicy pork carnitas in a fraction of the time.

Creating the perfect spice blend is the key to mouthwatering pork carnitas. Our easy recipe combines a medley of aromatic spices, including cumin, oregano, and chili powder, to infuse the meat with a symphony of flavors.

Once your tender pork carnitas are ready, the possibilities are endless. Serve them in warm tortillas for delicious tacos, on a bed of rice, or in a flavorful burrito bowl. Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings, like fresh cilantro, diced onions, and tangy lime wedges, to elevate the experience.

Whether you’re planning a fiesta or simply craving a comforting weeknight meal, these pork carnitas will not disappoint. These Pork Carnitas are such a great recipe because they make enough to feed a crowd.

What Are Carnitas?

Traditional Carnitas are a Mexican dish consisting of tender and flavorful slow-cooked pork, think Mexican pulled pork.

To make carnitas, pork is typically seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, then slow-cooked until it becomes tender and succulent, with a perfect balance of crispy and caramelized edges.

Carnitas are incredibly versatile and are commonly used as a filling for carnitas tacos, burritos, or enchiladas and more.

How to Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Be sure to scroll down because I have a full printable version of this recipe for you with an ingredient list and instructions.

Make the dry rub

First, you need to make a dry rub for your pork. I keep this on hand already made for when I want to make this Instant Pot Carnitas recipe.

In a bowl or small jar, combine:

½ T. chili powder
½ T. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. ground cumin
½ t. smoked paprika
½ t. chipotle powder
1 t. dried Mexican oregano
1 t. sea salt
½ t. ground black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

chicken broth
a citrus juice like fresh orange juice or 2 large oranges
lime juice
salt & pepper
extra virgin olive oil
3½ – 4 lbs pork shoulder roast
1 medium red onion
1 medium jalapeno
2-3 garlic cloves

If you want you can play around the seasonings, next time try bay leaves, onion powder, brown sugar, orange zest or a little bit of cayenne pepper in your broth.

Make Your Broth

In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, fresh orange juice, and lime juice with the chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic and ground cumin. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and set aside.

Season and sear the pork

Rub your dry rub onto pork until each piece is thoroughly covered. Press well to adhere. Use the sauté setting on your Instant Pot® and set to “High.” Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the seasoned pork shoulder pieces to the container. If your cut of meat is too big, you can cut it down into smaller pieces. Sear until pork is browned on all sides, for a cooking time of approximately 2-3 minutes per side.

Saute onion & jalapeno

Add remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the bottom of the pot, along with red onion and jalapeño. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.

Pressure cook

Add the browned pork back into the instant pot and pour the seasoned broth that you made earlier on top. Add lid and lock into place.

Set the steam vent to “Sealing.” Press the “Manual” button and adjust to the High Pressure setting, if necessary. Adjust cook time to 30 minutes. (Select 40 minutes for 4+ pound roasts). When the Instant Pot® cook time is complete, do a natural release for 20 minutes before doing a quick release of any remaining pressure and remaining steam.

Shred

Transfer pork to the prepared baking sheet with a slotted spoon and gently shred with two forks.

Crisp

To make crispy carnitas, preheat the oven broiler to high and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Transfer pork to the prepared baking sheet and gently shred with two forks.

Drizzle with ¼ cup juices from the Instant Pot and toss to combine before spreading into a thin, even layer. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.

Place pork under broiler for 4-5 minutes, then remove from oven and add a little more juice before turning the meat to brown the other side. Place back under broiler for another 4-5 minutes or until the pork is nice and crispy on the edges.

Relevant Recipes

What to Serve with Instant Pot Pork Carnitas:

Instant Pot pork carnitas are incredibly versatile and pair well with a variety of delicious sides and accompaniments. Here are some fantastic options to serve alongside your flavorful carnitas:

Serve your Instant Pot pork carnitas with warm and soft flour or corn tortillas. Allow your guests to assemble their own tacos with the carnitas and a variety of toppings.
Bright and zesty fresh salsa or pico de gallo complements the rich flavors of the carnitas perfectly.
Creamy and avocado-packed guacamole adds a cool and refreshing element to balance the savory and bold flavors of the carnitas.
Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the carnitas to add a tangy and citrusy kick that enhances the overall taste.
Finely chopped onions and fresh cilantro make excellent toppings that add a burst of freshness and texture to each bite.
Serve fluffy and flavorful Mexican rice as a side dish to round out the meal.
Creamy and delicious refried beans provide a comforting and savory element that complements the carnitas.
Crumble some queso fresco on top of the carnitas for a mild and crumbly cheese that complements the flavors.
Elote, or Mexican street corn, is a delicious side dish featuring grilled corn slathered with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnita Instructions

While the Instant Pot is one of my favorite things because it cooks in a fraction of the time, I understand not everyone is able to make the instant pot version! After seasoning your meat with the dry rub, add it to your slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients. Cook low and slow for 8-10 hours and then shred. At this point, you can follow the broiler instructions if you’d like.

Instant Pot Carnitas FAQ’s

What’s the difference between pork carnitas and pulled pork?

Pork carnitas and pulled pork are both slow-cooked pork dishes, but they have notable differences. Carnitas are a traditional Mexican dish, seasoned with spices like cumin and citrus, resulting in tender, crispy edges. On the other hand, pulled pork is a popular Southern U.S. barbecue dish, slow-cooked with a dry rub seasoning, shredded for a tender texture and slathered in bbq sauce.

Why is my instant pot pulled pork not tender?

If your Instant Pot pulled pork is not tender, there could be a few possible reasons for this issue:

-If you didn’t cook it long enough, the meat may still be tough. Check the recommended cooking time in your recipe and make sure to follow it closely.
-The size of the pork pieces can affect the cooking time and tenderness. Larger chunks of meat may take longer to cook and become tender. Ensure that the pork pieces are cut into smaller, manageable sizes for even cooking.
-The Instant Pot relies on steam to create pressure and cook the meat. If there isn’t enough liquid (water, broth, or other cooking liquid) in the pot, the pressure won’t build up properly, and the pork may not cook as effectively. Always ensure there is enough liquid to generate steam and pressure during cooking.
-If you’re using frozen pork, it may take longer to cook and become tender compared to thawed meat. For best results, defrost the pork before cooking.
-After cooking, make sure to release the pressure from the Instant Pot properly. Natural pressure release allows the meat to continue cooking and become more tender, while a quick release may result in tougher meat.
-Overcrowding the Instant Pot with too much pork can lead to uneven cooking and less tender results. Ensure there is enough space between the pork pieces for proper heat distribution.

How long does it take to cook pork in instant pot?

The cooking time for pork in the Instant Pot can vary depending on the cut of pork and size of the meat, as well as the specific recipe and cooking method being used. When using a Boneless Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt carnitas, for tender and easily shreddable pulled pork, a cooking time of approximately 60 to 90 minutes on high pressure is often recommended. Larger cuts may require longer cooking times.

Can you overcook pork carnitas?

Yes, it is possible to overcook pork carnitas. Leaving the pork in the Instant Pot for too long can lead to overcooked and dry meat.
Overcooking can cause the pork to become mushy and lose its desired texture. The meat may also become stringy or fall apart excessively, making it challenging to serve or enjoy.
To avoid overcooking pork carnitas, it’s essential to follow the recommended cooking times in your recipe closely.

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Yield: 6-8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe is fall-apart tender, versatile, and a breeze to make. With so many different ways to serve them, you'll love these pork carnitas.

Ingredients

Dry Rub Ingredients:
½ T. chili powder 
½ T. unsweetened cocoa powder 
1 t. garlic powder 
1 t. ground cumin 
½ t. smoked paprika 
½ t. chipotle powder
 1 t. dried Mexican oregano 
1 t. sea salt 
½ t. ground black pepper
Ingredients for pork:
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup fresh orange juice , approximately 2 large oranges
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3½ - 4 lbs pork shoulder roast, trimmed and cut into 6-8 chunks
1 medium red onion, diced
1 medium jalapeno, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, peeled & chopped

Instructions

Combine dry rub ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Rub mixture onto pork until each piece is thoroughly covered. Press well to adhere.
Push the “Sauté” button on Instant Pot® and set to “High.” Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and half the seasoned pork shoulder pieces to the container. Sear until pork is browned on all sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.
Note: DO NOT use lid while using the “Sauté” function on an Instant Pot.
Once browned, transfer seared pork to a plate and repeat this process with another tablespoon of olive oil and the remaining pork.
Remove browned pork from the Instant Pot® and set aside.
Add remaining tablespoon olive oil to the container, along with red onion and jalapeño.
Sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes.
In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, fresh orange juice, and lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and set aside.

Add browned pork back to the pot and pour your broth & juice mixture on top. Add lid and lock into place.
Set the steam vent to “Sealing.” Press the “Manual” button and adjust to the “High” setting, if necessary. Adjust cook time to 30 minutes. (Select 40 minutes for 4+ pound roasts).
When the Instant Pot® cook time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 20 minutes before doing a quick release of any remaining steam.
Shred your pork with 2 forks.
Want Crispier Instant Pot Pork Carnitas? Preheat the oven broiler to high and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Drizzle shredded pork with ¼ cup juices from the Instant Pot® and toss to combine before spreading into a thin, even layer. Season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
Place pork under broiler for 4-5 minutes, then remove from oven and add a little more juice before turning the meat to brown the other side.
Place back under broiler for another 4-5 minutes or until the pork is nice and crispy on the edges.

Notes

The instructions for this recipe include a couple of optional steps that can be omitted to save time. For example, the aromatic blend of onion, jalapeno, and garlic does not need to be sautéed before cooking the pork, but doing so deepens and releases more flavor.

In addition, the pork can be shredded and served as soon as it is done cooking. However, the extra step of tossing it with some cooking liquid and broiling under high heat delivers the delicious, crispy edges found in traditional carnitas recipes.