Instant Pot Pork Carnitas give you tender, flavorful pork perfect for piling into tacos, burritos, and meal bowls. This recipe is quick, easy, and full of authentic flavor!

Tacos made with Instant Pot pork carnitas on plate

Carnitas, which translates to “little meats” in Spanish, is a Mexican dish made by slow-cooking pork until it’s tender enough to shred. When it’s made the traditional way, the pork is simmered for hours, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat with crispy edges. But let’s be real: that’s not exactly an option for a busy weeknight. That’s where these Instant Pot pork carnitas come in. With the help of pressure cooking, you can achieve the same taste and texture without the hours of simmering!

Why You’ll Love Pork Carnitas in the Instant Pot

Making pork carnitas in the Instant Pot is not only quick and easy, but it delivers all the same flavorful, succulent meat you love about the classic version. Here’s what makes this recipe a standout:

Perfect for a weeknight. I just have to emphasize the time-saving aspect of making Instant Pot carnitas! This recipe drastically cuts down the cooking time compared to traditional methods, getting your carnitas on the table—and ready to devour!—in about an hour.
Versatile. Pork carnitas can be used in SO many different dishes, from traditional options like tacos and tortas, to more creative dishes like pizzas and baked potatoes. I share some ideas below!
Authentic flavor. The combination of spices, citrus, and pressure cooking ensures the pork is infused with bold, authentic flavor, while broiling at the end creates perfectly crispy edges.

Overhead view of Instant Pot carnitas ingredients

What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect Instant Pot carnitas. Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Pork roast – I use boneless pork roast for this recipe.
Kosher salt and black pepper
Olive oil
Yellow onion and garlic – These add depth of flavor; you can use white onion instead if you have one on hand.
Chicken broth – I love using my Instant Pot Chicken Bone Broth.
Citrus juice – A combination of lime and orange juice. Fresh juice is a must—don’t use bottled!
Seasonings – Cumin, oregano, and chili powder add Tex-Mex flavor.
Fresh cilantro – An optional garnish for a pop of freshness.

How to Make Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Follow these simple steps to make flavorful, tender Instant Pot Pork Carnitas at home. For the full instructions, see the recipe card below.

Pork in Instant Pot — Add the pork to the Instant Pot.

Pouring broth into Instant Pot with pork — Add the pork to the Instant Pot.

Prep the meat. Trim fat from the pork roast, cut it into 1-inch pieces, and season with salt and pepper.
Combine in Instant Pot. Drizzle the oil in the pot, then add the meat, onion, broth, garlic, citrus juice, and seasonings. Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute natural release.

Overhead view of shredded Instant Pot carnitas on sheet pan before broiling — Shred the pork.

Overhead view of shredded Instant Pot carnitas on sheet pan — Shred the pork.

Crisp the pork. Shred the pork, spread it on a foil-lined baking sheet, and drizzle with the Instant Pot juices. Broil on high for 3 minutes, stir, add more juices if needed, and broil for another 3 minutes.
Serve. Top with cilantro if desired and enjoy!

Overhead view of Instant Pot carnitas on sheet pan with serving spoon

Tips and Variations

Here are some helpful tips and variations to customize your Instant Pot pork carnitas for the perfect meal every time.

Adjust the spice level. If you prefer spicier carnitas, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the mix.
Add smokiness. For a smoky flavor, incorporate a bit of smoked paprika or chipotle powder into the seasoning blend. Liquid smoke will add a little more smoky oomph, but be careful—a little goes a long way.
Use it for meal prep. I love to make a big batch of carnitas and freeze or refrigerate it in portioned containers for quick meals throughout the week.

Plate of crispy Instant Pot pork carnitas

Serving Suggestions

The options for serving Instant Pot pork carnitas are endless!

Tacos. Stuff warm corn or flour tortillas with the juicy carnitas, and top with diced onions, fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and diced tomatoes.
Burrito bowls. Add the carnitas to my Quinoa Burrito Bowls.
Nachos. Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet, top with melted cheese, shredded carnitas, Instant Pot Spicy Black Beans, and jalapeños, then bake until crispy and finish with sour cream and fresh salsa.
Tortas. Make a Mexican-style sandwich using a crusty bolillo roll filled with carnitas, Instant Pot Refried Beans, avocado, and pickled jalapeños.
Breakfast. Serve carnitas alongside Cottage Cheese Eggs with your favorite salsa.
Pizza. Swap the usual sauce for salsa, add your favorite Mexican cheese, and layer on carnitas and other taco toppings.
Baked sweet potatoes. I love adding carnitas to tender baked sweet potatoes with crumbled cotija.

Pork carnitas piled onto tortillas with toppings

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store leftover carnitas in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in a zip-top freezer bag or airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat: Warm up carnitas on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of broth, or microwave until heated through. To restore the crispy edges, broil in the oven for a few minutes.

Platter of Instant Pot pork carnitas tacos

More Instant Pot Recipes

Prep: 15

Cook: 45

Total: 1

Ingredients

1 4-5 lbs boneless pork roast cubed and fat trimmed
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
½ yellow onion diced
1 cup chicken broth
5 cloves garlic minced
1 lime juiced
1 orange juiced
1 ½ tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon dry oregano
½ teaspoon chili powder
Fresh cilantro to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Trim the fat off of the pork roast and cube the meat into 1-inch chunks. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
In the bottom of the instant pot, drizzle the oil and then place the meat on top. Add in the chopped onion, broth, garlic, lime juice, orange juice, cumin, oregano, and chili powder. Cover and lock the lid, turning the valve to sealed. Pressure cook on high for 30 minutes and allow for 15-minute natural release.
Once the carnitas has had a natural release, lightly shred the pork with two forks and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle the top of the pork with the juices from the instant pot. Place the meat under the broiler on high for 3 minutes and then take out to stir the meat and drizzle with more juices if needed. Broil for an additional 3 minutes and then remove from the oven.
Sprinkle the meat with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve in tacos, tortas, burritos – whatever you like!

Nutrition

cuisine: Mexican

course: Dinner, Main Course