Instant Pot Carnitas

4.9
(467)
371 Reviews
51 Photos

Instant Pot carnitas are easy to make with pork shoulder, orange juice, and spices. You just need a little patience for the pressure to release naturally, but you'll be rewarded with fall-apart tender pork. Perfect for tacos, nachos, burritos, and more!

Submitted by Jennifer Sierra-Quick
Updated on April 6, 2023
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself.
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high angle looking at a tray full of carnitas
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Additional Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
24
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 1 (6 pound) pork butt roast

  • 1 ½ tablespoons salt

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano

  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon chile powder

  • ½ teaspoon paprika

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, or more to taste

  • 1 cup orange juice

  • 1 onion, coarsely chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, diced, or more to taste

Directions

  1. Trim excess fat from pork butt; cut pork into 2-inch cubes and transfer to a large bowl.

    pork cut into two-inch cubes, with excess fat trimmed off.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Combine salt, oregano, cumin, black pepper, chile powder, and paprika in a small bowl. Rub pork cubes with spice mixture. Coat seasoned pork cubes lightly in olive oil; transfer to a pressure cooker. Cover pork cubes with orange juice, onion, and garlic.

    Pork rubbed with seasoning mixture and placed inside pressure cooker.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Cover pork cubes with orange juice, onion, and garlic.

    an overhead view of pork cubes in an instant pot covered with orange juice, onions, and garlic.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Place lid on the pressure cooker and lock; bring to full pressure over medium heat until pork is no longer pink in the center, about 60 minutes. Let pressure come down naturally, about 15 minutes.

    Cooked in pressure cooker until center is no longer pink.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Remove pork from the pressure cooker and shred meat.

    high angle looking at a tray full of carnitas

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 
910 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

154 Calories
11g Fat
2g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 154
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g 14%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 43mg 14%
Sodium 471mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin C 7mg 7%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 211mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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