These Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas are flavorful, tender, juicy, zesty, and they could not be easier to make! Toss it all in your Instant Pot, let it cook, and listo! These are great to make tacos, tostadas, sandwiches, sliders, arepas, and more. Whole30 compliant.
Why I Love This Recipe
We all could use more Instant Pot recipes in our lives… am I right? This Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas recipe is awesome!
One of the things that I love most about this recipe is that It could not be easier.
Yes…
Toss it all in your Instant Pot, let it cook, and voila!
You’re rewarded with the most flavorful, tender, juicy, and zesty pork carnitas. Plus, it’s great for feeding a crowd. I’d say this recipe is the total package!
These Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas are great to make tacos, tostadas, sandwiches, sliders, or arepas. If I’m not making this Carnitas recipe, then I’m usually making my Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas or Slow Cooker Spicy Pork Carnitas. All are so delicious!
Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial
1 – Rinse and pat dry pork with a paper towel.
2 – Combine oil, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon, and minced garlic. Add pork and toss to coat.
3 – Add orange juice, lime juice, chicken stock, bay leaves, and onion into the Instant Pot. Mix to combine.
4 – Secure the lid and close the pressure-release valve. Select Meat/Stew and adjust to more (45min). When the time is over, let the pressure release on its own for 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn the valve to “Venting,” to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid. Press “cancel”. Use 2 forks to shred the pork.
5 – Serve.
Crisp Up Carnitas
You can crisp up carnitas in the oven or on the stove:
- Oven: Preheat oven to 450º F and position one of the oven racks into the center of the oven. Line a baking pan with foil for easy cleanup later, if desired. Spread pork into an even layer. Add ¼ – ½ cup of the cooking liquid to the shredded pork to moisten. Bake pork for 5 – 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired crispiness level.
- Stove: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add pork in batches and sear until just crisp. Add about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and continue cooking until the liquid reduces down and the meat is nice and crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best meat for carnitas is pork shoulder or pork butt. it is important to highlight that pork shoulder or butt are the same things, a cut of meat from the same section of the pig: the shoulder.
You can crisp up carnitas in the oven or on the stove:
Oven: Preheat the oven to 450º F and position one of the oven racks into the center of the oven. Line a baking pan with foil for easy cleanup later, if desired. Spread pork into an even layer. Add ¼ – ½ cup of the cooking liquid to the shredded pork to moisten. Bake pork for 5 – 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired crispiness level.
Stove: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add pork in batches and sear until just crisp. Add about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and continue cooking until the liquid reduces down and the meat is nice and crispy.
Yes, to do so, cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 5 to 6 hours, or until meat falls apart.
Serving Ideas
Carnitas are so versatile. You can fill tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas, and arepas or use them as a topping for nachos!
Storing & Freezing Instructions
Store: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Add carnitas to a zip-top freezer bag (make sure all air is removed) and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight when ready to enjoy.
Pro Tip: If you have leftovers carnitas store them in the extra cooking liquid to keep them moist and juicy.
More Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Instant Pot Cuban Pulled Pork
- Easy Instant Pot Stroganoff Meatballs
- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Barbecue Ribs
- Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork
- Instant Pot Teriyaki Turkey Meatballs
- Easy Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Instant Pot Hawaiian Pineapple Pork
❤️ Love what you see? JOIN my Private Baking Club. Also, Subscribe to Mommy’s Home Cooking email list, so you’ll never miss a recipe! And FOLLOW along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more fun!
Recipe Card 📖
Instant Pot Crispy Pork Carnitas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ½ – 3 lb skinless, boneless pork shoulder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- ¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 onion, quartered
- Fresh cilantro, chopped to garnish
Important
Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry pork with a paper towel. Trim excess fat and cut into 2-3 inches chunks.
- Combine oil, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cinnamon, and minced garlic in the Instant Pot. Add pork and toss to coat.
- Add orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, bay leaves, and onion. Mix to combine. Secure lid and close pressure-release valve.
- Select Meat/Stew adjust to more (45min). When the time is over, let the pressure release on its own for 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn the valve to "Venting," to release any extra pressure that might still be in there. Then remove the lid. Press "cancel".
To Crisp up in The Oven:
- Preheat the oven to 450º F and position one of the oven racks into the center of the oven. Line a baking pan with foil for easy cleanup later, if desired.
- Using a slotted spoon remove pork from the cooking liquid and transfer to the baking pan. Use 2 forks to shred the pork (remove and discard any unwanted fat). Spread pork into an even layer.
- Strain the cooking liquid. Note: skim and discard extra fat.
- Add ¼ – ½ cup of the cooking liquid to the shredded pork to moisten.
- Bake pork for 5 – 10 minutes, or until it reaches the desired crispiness level.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired and serve. Use the carnitas to make tacos, sandwiches, sliders, arepas or anything your heart desires.
- If you have leftovers carnitas store them in the extra cooking liquid to keep them moist and juicy.
- You can also crisp up the carnitas on the stove: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick pan or cast-iron skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add pork in batches and sear until just crisp. Add about 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and continue cooking until the liquid reduces down and the meat is nice and crispy.
- If you are following the Whole30 program make sure you use a Whole30 compliant chicken broth. I usually use Kettle & Fire bone broth.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Originally posted in March 2018, post content edited to add more helpful information, no change to the recipe in February 2022.
Works every time,perfectly. My new go to carnitas recipe. Love it.
Hello Patricia! Sounds like you nailed it =) Thanks so much for trying my recipe and for taking the time to come back and let me know!
I have made this recipe several times and have put this on my favorites list. I have increased the cooking time however by at least 30 minutes for fall off the bone meat. thanks so much
Hello Mary Jane! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know!
This recipe is phenomenal!! So flavorful and tender. Thank you so much for posting it! My husband couldn’t stop raving about it.
Hello Dianne! I’m SO GLAD you and your husband enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!?
I made it but marinated the pork in the mojo sauce overnight. They were extra flavorful.
Hello Annie! Thanks so much for your feedback and for trying my recipe. This is one of our favorites!
I love this recipe! Honestly the best carnitas I’ve ever had. The cinnamon is a special touch. We’re making them tonight and my mouth is already watering! I cut the recipe in half since there are only two of us and it comes out great, no problem.
Hello TJ! I’m SO GLAD you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!?
What do you do with the quartered onion?
Never mind, I see it now: Add pork and toss to coat. Add orange juice, lime juice, chicken stock, bay leaves and onion into the Instant Pot. It didn’t say that in the recipe part. That is what I did so all is good.
Thanks for your interest in my recipe, Patti! Please come back and let me know how you like it. ?
Please update Step #3 of printed recipe card to include adding Onion.
Hello JDD! Thanks so much for letting me know. It’s updated. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it. ?
Can I substitute pineapple juice for orange? I want to make this tonight and it’s all I have.
Hello Tim! Yes, you can. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it. ?
Your recipes are amazing! Do you have an Instant Pot cookbook coming out?
Hello Jazzy! You are so kind ?. I have so many IP recipes that I am thinking about it. Thanks so much for your support and for stopping by. ?
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! My whole family LOVED it. I am planning to make another batch this weekend.
Hello Teresa! I’m SO GLAD you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know!?