Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, Mexican food is my favorite. I could eat it every day. And one of my favorite Mexican dishes is Pork Carnitas. So making Carnitas in my Instant Pot Pressure cooker was really a no-brainer for me.

Shredded Pork on Baking Sheet ready to be broiled
Carnitas ready for the Broiler

You can eat carnitas as an entrée with a side of Mexican Rice and Beans or in tacos or even burritos. There’s a little Mexican joint down the street here that makes some of the best Carnitas.

Every chance I get I order Carnitas from them and it’s interesting how there are so many different ways to make it.

Pork Carnitas Tacos

This recipe is super easy to make with a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot. All you need is a few ingredients and about 1 hour and you will have delicious pork carnitas!

For a complete meal don’t forget the Mexican Rice, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole! If you prefer chicken tacos over pork, you MUST try my Slow Cooker Honey Bourbon Chicken Street Tacos. You won’t regret it.

Pork Carnitas

If you’ve ever wondered what part of the pig the Pork Butt comes from check out the picture below. Surprised?

pork cuts diagram

If you have any questions about your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker, I suggest you visit Instant Pot’s Official Customer Care Center.

The Scoville Scale is the measurement that tells you the spiciness of a given type of pepper.

Pepper TypeScoville Rating (Heat)
Bell Pepper0-0
Banana Pepper0-500
Poblano Pepper1000-1500
Jalapeño Pepper2500-8000
Serrano Peppers10,000-25,000
Manzano Pepper12,000-30,000
Tabasco & Cayenne30,000-50,000
Habanero Pepper100,000-300,000
Ghost Pepper855,000-1,000,000
Carolina Reaper1,500,000-2,300,000

You will need the following ingredients to make this Carnitas recipe in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (see recipe card for quantities): Pork Butt or Shoulder, Orange, Bay Leaf, Cinnamon Sticks, Garlic Cloves, Jalapeños, Yellow Onion, Ground Cumin, Salt and Ground Black Pepper.

  1. Cut the pork into medium-sized chunks. Rub salt, pepper, and cumin into the pork. Place pork in Instant Pot.
  2. Cut oranges in half and juice them into the pot. Place juiced oranges in the pot along with bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, garlic quartered onion and jalapeño.
  3. Add 1 1/2 Cups of water to the instant pot.
  4. Cook on manual for 35 minutes with natural pressure release for 20 minutes then quick pressure release for the rest.
  5. Place pork on a baking sheet and shred using two forks. Broil for approximately 5 minutes.

More Recipe Ideas

Printable Recipe Card

instant pot carnitas

Instant Pot Carnitas Made My Way

This Carnitas recipe is the easiest & quickest way to make pork carnitas in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. Perfect for tacos or burritos. If you love carnitas you must try this recipe
5 from 4 votes

↑ Click stars to rate

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Author Rodney
Servings 12
Calories 219 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 4 lbs Pork Butt or Shoulder
  • 2 Oranges
  • 2 Bay Leaves
  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • 6 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Fresh Jalapeño, Stemmed
  • 1 Yellow Onion
  • 1 Tbsp Ground Cumin
  • 1 Tbsp Salt
  • 1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  • Cut the pork into medium sized chunks. Rub salt, pepper and cumin into the pork. Place pork in Instant Pot.
  • Cut oranges in half and juice them into the pot. Place juiced oranges in pot along with bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, garlic quartered onion and jalapeño.
  • Add 1 1/2 Cups of water to the instant pot.
  • Cook on manual for 35 minutes with natural pressure release for 20 minutes then quick pressure release for the rest.
  • Place pork on baking sheet and shred using two forks. Broil for approximately 5 minutes.

Notes

→ I recommend wearing disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers. Avoid touching your face.
Nutrition (1 of 12 servings)
Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 90mg | Sodium: 681mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 14.1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2.3mg
This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.
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One Comment

  1. David says:

    I love making meals in my instant pot and this recipe tops them all

5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)