Easy Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Carnitas | From Farm to Table

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Slow-cooked until fall-apart tender and finished with a quick crisp in the oven or skillet, this recipe delivers juicy, seasoned pork perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or salads. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or stocking up on easy weeknight meals, these carnitas bring rich flavor and homestead comfort to every bite.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 1

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 302

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition

Ingredients

2 tbsp Olive oil
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
1 tbsp Cumin
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Mexican oregano Or regular
1 tsp Coriander powder
1/8 tsp Cayenne powder For more spice use 1/4 tsp
1- 1 1/2 lbs Pork shoulder/Pork butt Cut into 3" chunks
1/2 Small onion Chopped
1 Bay leaf
1/2 Cinnamon stick 2-3 inches long
4 Garlic cloves Minced or pressed
1/2 cup Orange juice

Equipment

Instant Pot

Method

Add oil, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, coriander powder, and cayenne pepper to the mixing bowl. Mix well.
Add the pork chunks to the spice mixture and toss to cover all of the meat with the mixture.
Press the “Sauté” button on the InstaPot until “More” is highlighted. When the display reads “Hot,” add the meat. Cook until browned on all sides. Remove from pot and set aside.
Add onion, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick. Cook until onions are tender, stirring occasionally
Add the garlic and cook for a few seconds
Add orange juice and stir
Add the meat back into the pot and nestle it down. The meat won’t be covered.
Place the lid on the pot and set the steam release knob to sealing. Cancel the sauté function
Press the Pressure Cook button and set the timer to 30 minutes
When the cooking cycle has ended, and the pot beeps 10 times, let it sit for 15 minutes. It will naturally start releasing pressure.
When the display reads L015, turn the steam release knob to venting and release any remaining pressure.
Before you stir, take a spoon and skim off the extra fat on the top; discard.
Stir the meat and transfer it to a serving dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 302kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 20gFat: 22g

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If you’re making carnitas, we want you to have the best results possible—and that starts with truly flavorful pork. Our heritage pork shoulder is pasture-raised, slow-grown, and naturally well-marbled, making it perfect for those long, slow cooks that carnitas are known for.

If you’re ready to take your recipe to the next level, we’d love to send some of our heritage pork right to your doorstep.

Shop pork shoulder here and taste the difference in your carnitas.