Unlock the secret to making the most succulent and incredibly flavorful Instant Pot Carnitas right in your own kitchen! This recipe promises fall-off-the-bone tender pork with those irresistible crispy edges, making it the perfect choice for a delightful weeknight dinner or a fantastic meal prep staple that guarantees delicious leftovers.
Carnitas, a traditional Mexican dish, translates to “little meats” and is beloved for its rich, savory flavor and tender texture. While traditionally slow-cooked for hours, the Instant Pot revolutionizes this classic, delivering exceptional results in a fraction of the time. Our classic Slow Cooker Carnitas recipe is a long-standing favorite, and we’re thrilled to introduce this pressure cooker variation, offering a quicker path to the same incredible taste and texture.
What Exactly Are Carnitas?
Carnitas is a highly revered dish in Mexican cuisine, particularly from the state of Michoacán. It involves braising or simmering pork in lard (or sometimes just its own fat, as we’ll do here) until it’s incredibly tender. The meat is then often shredded and fried or broiled until deliciously crispy. The result is a harmonious blend of melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and satisfying crunch, bursting with deep, savory pork flavor. Our Instant Pot method captures this essence, making it accessible for home cooks.
Choosing the Best Pork Cut for Instant Pot Carnitas
The foundation of outstanding carnitas lies in selecting the right cut of meat. This recipe specifically calls for a 2.5 – 3 lb. boneless pork shoulder roast. This cut, also widely known as pork butt, is truly ideal for carnitas for several key reasons:
- Fat Content: Pork shoulder boasts a generous amount of intramuscular fat marbling. This fat renders down during the pressure cooking process, infusing the meat with moisture and rich flavor, resulting in that signature juicy tenderness.
- Connective Tissue: It contains connective tissues that break down beautifully under high pressure, transforming into gelatin, which contributes to the silky, fall-apart texture we crave in carnitas.
- Size and Versatility: Pork shoulder typically comes in larger cuts, perfect for feeding a family or ensuring you have plenty of delicious leftovers for various meals throughout the week.
A Note on Size: The weight of your pork shoulder significantly influences cooking time. If your cut is less than 2.5 lbs., you’ll likely need to reduce the pressure cooking time to prevent overcooking. Conversely, if you opt for a pork shoulder larger than 3 lbs., you may need to extend the cook time to ensure it reaches optimal tenderness. Always aim for a piece that fits comfortably in your Instant Pot.
How to Make Perfect Instant Pot Carnitas: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Crafting the Flavorful Pork Dry Rub
A phenomenal dry rub is crucial for building a deep, complex flavor profile for your carnitas. Don’t underestimate the power of these spices! For this recipe, you’ll combine a blend of pantry staples:
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika (for an extra layer of smoky depth!)
- Cayenne pepper (adjust to your preferred level of heat)
- Salt (be generous with salt; it’s essential for flavor development and tenderizing)
Alternatively, for ultimate convenience, you can use our tried-and-true homemade pork dry rub recipe if you have it readily available. Ensure the spices are thoroughly mixed before liberally applying them to all surfaces of your pork shoulder. Massage the rub into the meat, ensuring every crevice is coated for maximum flavor penetration.
Step 2: Searing the Pork for Irresistible Flavor and Texture
One of the non-negotiable steps to achieve truly exceptional carnitas is searing. This initial browning step creates a rich, caramelized crust on the exterior of the pork, a process known as the Maillard reaction. This reaction develops hundreds of new flavor compounds, adding incredible depth and complexity that would otherwise be missing. And the best part? You can do this directly in your Instant Pot using its convenient sauté feature!
Add a good amount of olive oil to the Instant Pot. Once hot, carefully place your seasoned pork shoulder into the pot. Given that a 2.5-3 lb. pork shoulder is quite substantial, you’ll want to sear each of its four sides for about 2-3 minutes, aiming for a beautiful, deep golden-brown crust. Do not rush this step! This initial sear locks in juices and builds the foundational flavors that make these carnitas truly outstanding.
Step 3: Pressure Cooking to Unrivaled Tenderness
After searing, it’s time for the Instant Pot to work its magic. Turn off the sauté feature and add the remaining ingredients: a can of green chiles and a small amount of water. The green chiles add a subtle tang and mild heat that complements the pork beautifully, while the water provides the necessary liquid for pressure to build. Place the lid on your Instant Pot and ensure the sealing ring is properly in place.
How Long to Cook Instant Pot Carnitas for Perfect Tenderness
To cook your carnitas, set the pressure release valve to the “Sealing” position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on high pressure and set the timer for 90 minutes. It’s important to remember that your Instant Pot will take approximately 10-15 minutes to build up to full pressure before the countdown timer begins. Be patient during this pre-heating phase!
Once the 90 minutes of pressure cooking are complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Carefully perform a quick release by turning the pressure release valve to the “Venting” position. Stand clear of the valve, as a powerful stream of steam will be emitted. Once all the steam has been released and the float valve has dropped, it’s safe to open the lid. You’ll be greeted with incredibly tender, aromatic pulled pork.
Step 4: Shredding and Preparing for Serving
Upon opening the Instant Pot, your pork shoulder should be unbelievably tender. Shredding should be effortless; the meat should practically fall apart with minimal resistance. If you find the pork still somewhat tough, indicating it needs more cooking, simply reseal the Instant Pot and pressure cook for an additional 10-15 minutes. This ensures maximum tenderness and ease of shredding.
Carefully remove any large pieces of rendered fat and discard them, leaving behind the flavorful meat. Using two forks, shred the pork directly in the Instant Pot, allowing it to soak up all the flavorful cooking liquid. This liquid is packed with concentrated flavor, so we highly recommend keeping it to moisten and enhance your shredded carnitas. A squeeze of fresh lime juice at this stage brightens the entire dish, cutting through the richness and adding a zesty finish.
The Ultimate Secret to Extra Crispy Instant Pot Carnitas
While the pressure cooker creates incredibly tender pork, true carnitas are defined by their contrast of tender interior and crispy, caramelized exterior. Achieving this coveted crispiness is simple and highly recommended:
Preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Evenly spread the shredded pork in a single layer across the baking sheet. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning. The edges will begin to brown and crisp up. Remove the baking sheet, toss the carnitas, and return to the broiler for another 2-3 minutes, or until the desired level of crispiness is achieved. This step is transformative and essential for authentic carnitas texture!
Versatile Serving Suggestions
One of the many joys of Instant Pot Carnitas is their incredible versatility. While they’re perfect for feeding a crowd, they also excel as a cornerstone for meal prep, allowing you to create diverse and exciting meals throughout the week. Here are some of our favorite creative ways to enjoy your homemade carnitas:
- Authentic Carnitas Tacos: Serve in warm corn or flour tortillas with your favorite toppings like diced onions, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, salsa, or avocado crema.
- Hearty Meal Prep Bowls: Build wholesome bowls with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, and add fajita veggies (peppers and onions), black beans, corn, and a drizzle of hot sauce or a creamy dressing, similar to our carnitas burrito bowls.
- Savory BBQ Pork Sandwiches: Transform your carnitas into delicious BBQ sandwiches by tossing the shredded pork with your favorite smoky BBQ sauce. Pile high on toasted buns with a refreshing coleslaw, much like this BBQ pulled chicken recipe.
- Loaded Carnitas Nachos: Layer crispy tortilla chips with carnitas, melted cheese, jalapeños, black beans, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for an ultimate game-day snack or indulgent dinner.
- Flavorful Burritos or Burrito Bowls: Wrap carnitas with rice, beans, cheese, and your preferred fillings in a large tortilla, or create a deconstructed bowl version.
- Carnitas Salads: Add a generous scoop of carnitas to a fresh bed of mixed greens with corn, black beans, avocado, tomatoes, and a zesty vinaigrette for a light yet satisfying meal.
Got Leftovers? Reinvent Your Meals!
The beauty of making a generous batch of Instant Pot Carnitas is the promise of amazing leftovers! These savory, tender morsels taste good in virtually anything. Don’t let them go to waste; transform them into new and exciting dishes:
- Hearty Carnitas Chili: Stir shredded carnitas into your favorite chili recipe for added depth, protein, and texture.
- Ultimate Carnitas Mac and Cheese: Take your comfort food to the next level! Prepare our homemade mac and cheese and fold in a generous amount of shredded carnitas before baking or serving.
- Speedy Carnitas Nachos: Pile crispy tortilla chips with carnitas, plenty of melted cheese, sliced jalapeños, a dollop of sour cream, and fresh salsa, just like these loaded chicken nachos.
- Flavorful Breakfast Skillet: Start your day with a bang by mixing carnitas with crispy breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, bell peppers, and onions in a skillet. Top with cheese and a dash of hot sauce.
- Carnitas Quesadillas or Empanadas: Stuff tortillas or empanada dough with carnitas and cheese for a quick and satisfying snack or meal.
Can You Freeze Instant Pot Carnitas? Absolutely!
Yes, Instant Pot Carnitas are excellent for freezing, making them an ideal choice for future quick meals. To properly freeze and preserve their quality:
- Allow the cooked and shredded carnitas to cool completely to room temperature.
- Transfer them into freezer-safe gallon-size bags or airtight containers. If using bags, press out as much air as possible before sealing to prevent freezer burn.
- For best results, freeze the carnitas along with a small amount of their cooking liquid (if you saved it) to maintain moisture.
- Label the bags/containers with the date.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the carnitas overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat gently on the stovetop, in the microwave, or broil them for that crispy texture once more.
Explore More Instant Pot Favorites
If you love the convenience and delicious results from your Instant Pot, you’ll definitely want to try some of our other top-rated recipes:
- 42 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes for Every Occasion
- Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken Bowls
- Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowls
- How to Make Perfect Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot
- Tender Instant Pot Pork Chops
More Instant Pot Pork Recipes You’ll Love
Beyond carnitas, the Instant Pot is fantastic for cooking various pork cuts to perfection:
- Juicy Instant Pot Pork Chops
- Hearty Instant Pot Pork Roast
Watch How to Make This Recipe!
See a video demonstration of how to make these incredible Instant Pot Carnitas!
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Experience fall-off-the-bone tender pork carnitas with perfectly crispy edges, made easily in your Instant Pot. This recipe uses simple ingredients to create a flavorful, juicy dish that’s perfect for tacos, bowls, and more!
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Ingredients
Spice Rub*
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt
Carnitas
- 2.5-3 lb. boneless pork shoulder roast
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1-4 oz. can green chilis
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 lime, juiced
Instructions
- First, place the pork shoulder on a large plate or cutting board.
- Prepare the pork dry rub by combining all spices in a medium bowl. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the spice mixture over the pork shoulder and generously massage it into the meat, ensuring all sides are coated. This step is vital for rich flavor. Set aside.
- Turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté feature and add olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering and fragrant, carefully place the pork shoulder in the pot. Sear each of the four sides for 2-3 minutes until nicely browned and a crust forms.
- Turn the Instant Pot’s sauté feature off. Pour the green chilis over the seared pork shoulder, then add the water. Secure the Instant Pot lid.
- Turn the pressure valve to “Sealing”. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on high pressure and set the timer for 90 minutes. Allow up to 15 minutes for the Instant Pot to build pressure before the countdown begins.
- When the Instant Pot beeps, perform a quick release of pressure by carefully turning the pressure valve to “Venting.”
- Once all steam has escaped and the float valve drops, remove the Instant Pot cover. Carefully remove any large fat chunks from the pork and discard them.
- Use two forks to shred the remaining pork directly in the pot. It should be incredibly tender and easy to shred. If it’s still tough, pressure cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.
- Once shredded, squeeze fresh lime juice over the carnitas and mix thoroughly.
- Serve immediately, or proceed to the next step to make them extra crispy!
- To achieve extra crispy carnitas, spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the shredded carnitas onto the baking sheet, spreading them into an even layer. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes, then toss and continue broiling until the edges are golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
Tips & Notes
- Spice Rub Variation: Feel free to use 3 tablespoons of our homemade pork dry rub as an alternative to the individual spices listed.
- Addressing the “Burn Notice”: If your Instant Pot displays a “Burn” notice, it typically means there isn’t enough liquid at the bottom of the pot. To remedy this, add a few more tablespoons of water or broth, stir to deglaze the bottom, and then resume cooking.
- Liquid Retention: While you have the option to remove some of the cooking liquid before shredding, be aware that this liquid holds a significant amount of the carnitas’ rich flavor. Keeping it helps maintain moisture and enhances the overall taste.
Watch It
For a visual guide, watch the recipe video here!
(Video placeholder: A video demonstration of cooking Instant Pot Carnitas would be embedded here.)
Nutrition
, Carbohydrates: 4 g
, Protein: 23 g
, Fat: 30 g
, Fiber: 1 g
, Sugar: 2 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.
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Green Chiles
Smoked Paprika
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