Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Recipe
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas come out tender and full of flavor with crisp edges from a quick broil. No splatter, no oil cleanup—just the texture you want, minus the fuss.
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 357kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp canola, vegetable, or avocado oil divided
- 4 lb boneless pork butt (or shoulder) cut into 2-inch chunks
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion peeled and halved
- 1 orange juiced
- 2 limes juiced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce*
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add 1 tablespoon of oil, cubed pork, chicken broth, halved onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, soy sauce, bay leaves, salt, cumin, oregano, and pepper to the Instant Pot.
- Place the lid on, and turn the Instant Pot to MANUAL mode with high pressure selected for 35 minutes.
- Once cooked, allow the pressure to release naturally; this usually takes about 15–20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, turn the oven on to broil (high). Open the lid to the Instant Pot and transfer the pork to a rimmed sheet pan using tongs. Drizzle ¼ cup of the cooking liquid over the pork along with the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss to combine.
- Place in the oven and broil for 6–8 minutes. Toss and return to the oven for an additional 6–8 minutes. If the pork is dry, add another drizzle of cooking liquid over the pork. Serve immediately. Garnish with cilantro, red onion, and lime wedges.
Notes
*Coconut aminos can be used as a soy-free alternative.
STORE leftover Instant Pot Carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. To FREEZE, let the carnitas cool completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
For the best texture, store the meat with a bit of the cooking liquid to help keep it moist. To REHEAT, thaw the carnitas in the fridge overnight if frozen, then warm the pork in the microwave or in the oven at a low temperature until heated through.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 717mg | Potassium: 873mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 53IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 3mg
