Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

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Instant Pot Pork Carnitas is so tender, so satisfying, and so easy to make, it is destined to quickly rise to the top of your favorite foods list.

One serving of Instant Pot Pork Carnitas on a white scalloped edged plate stacked on top of a yellow plate

You will fall in love with the melt-in-your-mouth quality and zesty flavors of this Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe, thanks to ingredients like:

  • Pork roast
  • Chipotle sauce
  • Adobo all-purpose seasoning
  • Bell peppers
  • Bay leaves
  • Oregano
  • Garlic powder
  • Cumin

What is Pork Carnitas?

Carnitas literally means "little meats", and is a staple of Mexican cuisine that originates from the state of Michoacán. Carnitas is traditionally made by slowly braising or simmering pork, and the result is very tender, juicy, shreddable meat.

The cooking process typically takes four hours, but thanks to the wonder that is the Instant Pot, this flavorful dish is ready to serve in just half the time of the traditional method!

One Tip for Cleaning Your Instant Pot

While cooking in the Instant Pot is quick and easy, it can sometimes leave behind stubborn stains and build-up.

Here's an easy solution for returning the Instant Pot inner liner (the stainless steel pot) to its original sparkling state. Sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend in the bottom of the pot, add a touch of water, and give it a scrub with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. This simple combination really does work wonders!

Our Latest Instant Pot Recipes

What to Serve With Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Traditional pork carnitas is served with salsa, guacamole, corn tortillas, refried beans, and topped with chopped cilantro and diced onion.

If you're feeling adventurous, try serving your Instant Pot Pork Carnitas with delicious Mexican Rice with Stuffed Peppers or pairing it with these delectable Black Bean Goat Cheese Quesadillas. Our Instant Pot Refried Beans are also amazing.

One serving of Instant Pot Pork Carnitas on a white scalloped edged plate stacked on top of a yellow plate, with the Instant Pot and two red peppers in the background

How To Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Step By Step

Step #1: On sauté mode, sear meat on both sides and then turn sauté off.

top-down view of pork roast being sauted in the Instant Pot, next to a cutting board with chopped onion and bell peppers on top

Step #2: Combine remaining ingredients in the Instant Pot.

Step #3: Close the lid and turn the valve to sealing (not venting) position.

top-down view of all ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Carnitas inside the Instant Pot

Step #4: Set to a manual high time for 80 minutes. When the cooking time has finished, allow for a manual pressure release before removing meat from the pot to shred.

close-up of the cooked Instant Pot Pork Carnitas being shredded with two silver forks

Step #5: Once meat has been shredded, place in a serving dish, and add the juices and seasonings from the Instant Pot. Enjoy!

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

If you love Instant Pot Pork Carnitas, you'll want to check out these other Instant Pot favorites:

Instant Pot Cajun Sausage and Rice Recipe

Instant Pot Tomato Chicken Penne Pasta

Instant Pot Chicken Curry

Recipe

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Tender, satisfying, and full of traditional carnitas flavor that is ready to enjoy in no time!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Instructions

  1. On sauté mode, sear meat on both sides and then turn sauté off.
  2. Combine remaining ingredients in the Instant Pot.
  3. Close the lid and turn the valve to sealing (not venting) position.
  4. Set to a manual high time for 80 minutes. When the cooking time has finished, allow for a manual pressure release before removing meat from the pot to shred.
  5. Once meat has been shredded, place in a serving dish, and add the juices and seasonings from the Instant Pot.

Notes

Serve pork carnitas on corn or flour tortillas or a tostada shell.

FAQs

  • Can my dog eat Pork Carnitas? It is not recommended to give this recipe to your dog. Although your dog's diet is based on meat, the spicy and strong ingredients that the recipe contains aren't the best for his organism. Flavors like garlic and onion are highly toxic to the dog's stomach. If you want to give Pork Carnitas to your dog, you must eliminate the toxic ingredients from the recipe: onion, garlic, and all the hot peppers and sauces.
  • Can my cat eat Pork Carnitas? Given that cats are carnivores, this recipe sounds harmless, but it is not. Ingredients like garlic and onion are highly dangerous for your cat. As well as the rest of the spicy ingredients. Therefore, it would be better to avoid sharing this dish with your cat.So if you want to share this recipe with your cat, you need to remove the ingredients said above.


Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 524Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 20gCholesterol 154mgSodium 813mgCarbohydrates 5gNet Carbohydrates 0gFiber 1gSugar 2gSugar Alcohols 0gProtein 41g

Did you make this recipe?

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Author

  • Jessica McCoy

    Jessica McCoy is a seasoned food blogger with 14+ years of experience in the industry. As a self-taught home cook, she enjoys creating and finetuning easy recipes that are fool proof and simple for anyone to make. Her expertise is in all things kitchen: cooking tips, air fryer recipes, Instant Pot and other pressure cooking recipes, and slow cooker recipes. Jessica was the previous owner of AllSheCooks, where she focused on easy every day recipes including budget friendly dinner recipes and desserts.

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