Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Roasted pork cubes with orange slices on side in white plate

Oftentimes carnitas can be pretty bland, but this Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe offers you perfectly seasoned, tasteful carnitas that will make your taste buds dance.

Roasted pork cubes with orange slices on side in white plate

And the best part about this delicious pork recipe is that you can make in your Instant Pot in only 20 minutes! It’s so quick and easy to make, you’ll find yourself making this recipe regularly in your dinner rotation.

Why This Recipe Works

These Instant Pot Pork Carnitas require only a handful of ingredients, most of which you’re likely to have on hand already. It couldn’t be easier to make, yet it’s so packed with flavor, it tastes like it had been marinating all day.

Due to the combination of fresh lemon and orange juice, these carnitas are bursting with fresh citrus flavor. It’s not overpowered with spices, which lets the traditional citrus flavor profile really shine through.

This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe is so simple, and yet SO satisfying. And it goes well with nearly anything, so it’s great for meal prep too!

Recipe Ingredients

Olive oil – you can also use vegetable oil or any other neutral oil here.

Pork - for this Instant Pot carnitas recipe I used pork shoulder since it’s the best option in my opinion, but you can use pork tenderloin or pork loin as well.

Garlic power – you can also substitute 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic. If you use fresh garlic, add it to the pot after searing the pork, so the garlic doesn’t burn.

Lemon and orange juice – the combination of lemon and orange is what makes this recipe special. The lemon juice adds tartness and vibrant acidity while the orange juice adds a subtle sweetness.

How to make Instant Pot Carnitas

Gather your ingredients:

Season the pork with salt, pepper and garlic.

Press "saute." Heat the oil and add the pork.

Saute the pork for a few minutes on each side.

Add the lemon and orange juices and set the Instant Pot to “Manual” at “High Pressure” for 15 minutes.

Once done, do a quick release.

Shred the pork.

Top with orange and lemon slices and serve in a salad, tacos, or as is.

Recipe Notes

  • I highly recommend using fresh squeezed lemon and orange juice in this recipe if possible. It’s much more flavorful than store-bought juice, and since it’s the main flavor profile of this recipe, you want all the citrus flavor you can get. Since pasteurization of fruit juice can kill off some of the beneficial vitamins and nutrients naturally present in orange juice, fresh squeezed is healthier, too!
  • Fresh squeezed citrus juice is always at its best right after juicing, so try not to do this step too far ahead or it will begin to lose its vibrancy.

How to Serve

The best way to serve carnitas is to add salsa and vegetables and serve as Instant Pot Pork Tacos.

You can also use them in burritos, burrito bowls or corn tortillas.

If you’re serving up carnitas burritos or burrito bowls, try making them with nutrient-dense brown rice to switch it up.

Need more ideas? Check out What To Serve With Carnitas for 15 delicious side dishes.

Instant Pot Mexican Recipes

If you loved this recipe, here are some others that I think you might enjoy:

Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas

Instant Pot Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Beef Fajitas

Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl

Recipe FAQs

What are carnitas?

Carnitas literally means “little meats” in Spanish. It’s a traditional Mexican dish that’s made by slowly simmering pork until it is fall-apart tender.

Why do you use pork shoulder for carnitas?

Pork shoulder is traditionally used for carnitas because it’s a very tender cut with a good amount of fat that creates that melt-in-your-mouth texture. Pork tenderloin and pork loin is usually much leaner, so while there’s not as much flavor, it’s a good option for those looking to use a leaner cut with a low fat percentage.

Instant Pot Pork recipes

Instant Pot Chile Verde

Instant Pot pork tenderloin

Instant Pot Spanish Pork Stew

Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Instant Pot Pork Chops and Rice

Instant Pot Pork Chop Suey

Roasted pork cubes with orange slices on side in white plate

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

This Mexican pork dish packed with tangy flavors is a winner for sure.
4.80 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 3
Author: Corrie

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound pork meat boneless and cubed
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • ½ cup orange juice

Instructions

  • Select saute and add olive oil.
  • Season the pork with salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
  • Saute pork for 3 minutes on both sides until brown.
  • Add orange and lemon juice and stir well.
  • Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  • When cooking time is complete, wait for a natural pressure release.
  • Once done, open the lid and shred the pork.
  • Serve and enjoy 🙂

Nutrition

Calories: 72kcal Carbohydrates: 8g Protein: 1g Fat: 5g Saturated Fat: 1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g Monounsaturated Fat: 3g Sodium: 2mg Potassium: 138mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 91IU Vitamin C: 40mg Calcium: 14mg Iron: 1mg
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