Perfect Pork Carnitas (Instant Pot Recipe)

Would you believe me if I told you that the juiciest, most tender pork carnitas could be on your dinner table in less than one hour? It’s true! These are my Perfect Pork Carnitas, and they are a restaurant-quality recipe that you will want to make, time and time again. They come together in an Instant Pot which cuts the cook time in 1/3, which means that you no longer need to wait around all day for the meat to cook. With this recipe, you’ll have mouthwatering pork carnitas ready in minutes – what could be better than that?

Friends, while most of you may know me as a steak girl, I do have a secret love for carnitas. After all, what’s not to love about tender, shredded pork shoulder that is cooked low and slow in a delicious blend of spices? Whenever I go to Chipotle, I almost always opt for a bowl of the carnitas. However, making carnitas at home? That tends to be a bit more of a labor of love… that is, until now.

While traditional pork carnitas take all-day (if not longer) to come together, this recipe comes together in just a fraction of the time. That’s because these carnitas are made in an Instant Pot, which is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. If you don’t yet own an Instant Pot, you MUST get one. Relatively speaking, they aren’t super expensive, and in addition to that, they’re also incredibly versatile. Whether you’re using it to make soups and stews, homemade yogurt, or even these pork carnitas, an Instant Pot is truly the gift that keeps on giving. I have had mine for years and I cannot get enough of it!

And if you’re looking for a recipe that is just as versatile as the Instant Pot, this is it. These pork carnitas are truly so versatile and are perfect for adding to any of your favorite recipes! I love enjoying them in my Crispy Baked Carnitas Tacos, adding them to my Better-Than-Chipotle Carnitas bowls, or even just enjoying them over rice, while smothered in homemade salsa. No matter how you choose to enjoy these carnitas, you truly cannot go wrong. They are tender, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth, and will become your family’s new favorite recipe.

What You Need to Make These Perfect Pork Carnitas

• Boneless Pork Shoulder: Of course, this wouldn’t be a carnitas recipe without the pork. You’ll need boneless pork shoulder in order to make this recipe. I recommend trimming off the excess fat too, so that the pork shoulder is nice and lean.
• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a better-for-you oil that is full of healthy fats and is perfect for preparing this carnitas recipe. Olive oil also works well here, too!
• Chicken Broth: I like using chicken broth to add moisture and juciness to these carnitas, but you can use any broth that you’d like. As always, I will recommend using what you have!
• Orange Juice: Don’t knock it until you try it – orange juice adds juiciness to these carnitas that gives them the best flavor.
• Lime Juice: Fresh squeezed lime juice adds acidity and tang to these carnitas. Don’t skip it!
• Garlic: I will always recommend using fresh garlic, in my recipes. It adds the beast flavor that garlic powder just can’t replicate, and is especially delicious in this carnitas recipe!
• Seasonings: A blend of oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and ground black pepper adds the perfect balance of flavors to these carnitas, giving them the absolute best flavor.

How to Make These Carnitas in Under One Hour

To make these Perfect Pork Carnitas, start by turning the Instant Pot on to the sauté setting. Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot and allow it to heat. While the pot is heating, prepare the pork shoulder by trimming away the fat and cutting it into cubes, approximately 3-inches in size (tip: you can also ask your buter to do this for you and skip this step!)

Once the pot is hot, add the pork shoulder to it and allow it to cook evenly, for 5-6 minutes. You may need to work in batches to ensure that the pork cooks evenly. Once the meat has browned, add in the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, dried oregano, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Stir until the meat is fully coated in the seasonings. Then, place the cover on the Instant Pot. Turn the settings on to “Manual Pressure,” set to “high,” and cook for 30 minutes with quick release.

Once the pork has finished cooking, remove it from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a baking sheet. Shred the meat with two forks. Then, turn your oven on to broil high and transfer the meat to the oven.

Allow the carnitas to broil for approximately 3 minutes, until the edges are browned and crispy.
Once they’re done, remove them from the oven. Add the carnitas to your favorite recipes, then serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim