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–+ servings
Shredded Instant Pot Carnitas on a plate next to seared lime and lemon halves.

Instant Pot Carnitas {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}

Katie AdamsKatie Adams
These healthy pork carnitas are tender, slightly tangy and oh so tasty! This recipe also makes leftovers for days!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Pressurize + Natural Release Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12
Calories 263 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 8 quart Instant Pot
  • 1 skillet
  • 1 large bowl
  • forks
  • kitchen tongs

Ingredients
  

  • 5 lbs pork butt trimmed and cut in 3" chunks
  • 1½ tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 med onion sliced
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic crushed
  • ⅓ cup pure lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup pure lime juice
  • 1½-2 cups chicken broth to almost cover meat

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl add spice blend: salt, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper. Use fork to mix spices until well combined.
    Ingredients for Instant Pot Carnitas an placed separately in glass bowls
  • Spread meat out on a meat safe cutting board and season the chunks of pork generously on all sides until completely coated. Use all of the spice mix.
  • Place seasoned pork into an 8 quart instant pot. Add onions and garlic. Add lemon juice, lime juice, and chicken broth to mostly cover the meat. Its ok to have some meat poking out the top.
    Seasoned raw pork, onions, garlic, lemon juice, lime juice, and chicken broth in and Instant Pot.
  • Set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook 75 mins*. When meat is finished cooking allow the Instant Pot to naturally release steam for at least 10 minutes to help keep the meat tender.
  • When you're ready to serve, manually release the remaining steam. Make sure to protect your hand with an oven mitt or dish cloth during this process. Take the meat out into a large bowl and shred it with two forks.
  • Warm a large non stick skillet on MED heat. Spray well with cooking spray. Spread meat out in a thin layer along the entire bottom of the pan (the meat can be crowded in the bottom). Cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes on the first side. Then use kitchen tongs to flip the meat and allow to cook undisturbed another 1-2 minutes. I use a 12" skillet for this step and it takes me 2 batches to cook all of the meat.
  • When meat is browned and crisped to your liking, remove from heat. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*In an Instant Pot, Pork needs to cook about 15 minutes per pound. If you use less or more meat please adjust cook time accordingly. 

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 36gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 1111mgPotassium: 697mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 38mgIron: 3mg
Keyword dairy-free, gluten-free, Instant-pot, keto friendly, Mexican cuisine, paleo, pork carnitas, tacos, whole30
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!