Crispy Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)

Carnitas shown piled on a serving platter with tortillas and pico de gallo.

5 from 1 vote

Crispy Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)

This flavorful Mexican pulled pork is a classic for a reason! Simple flavors of citrus and garlic marinate the meat, and then are intensified when the meat is broiled to form a crispy texture. Use carnitas for tacos, salads, or burrito bowls! Keep this recipe Whole30 by serving with cauliflower rice or using lettuce wraps for tacos.

Prep Time10

Cook Time50

Total Time1

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: servings

Calories: 243kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

4 pounds pork sirloin roast or pork shoulder roast (boneless), cut into large chunks
2 tablespoons avocado oil

Marinade

1/2 cup orange juice (about 2 medium oranges, squeezed)
1/4 cup lime juice
6 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons oregano
1 tablepoon sea salt
black pepper to taste

To Serve

cilantro optional
onions chopped, optional
lime wedges optional

Instructions

In a small bowl, add the marinade ingredients, whisk together, and set aside.
Turn Instant Pot on saute setting, and allow to heat up 3-5 minutes so it's very hot when you add the pork.
Add the avocado oil, and then a couple chunks of the pork. Don't overcrowd the pot, or it will steam instead of brown. Flip the pork over to brown the otherwise, then remove it from the pot. Repeat the process with the rest of the pork. The browned pieces add a lot of flavor to the finished dish.
Turn the Instant Pot off, and then return the pork to the pot. Pour the marinade over the pork.
Set Instant Pot to Manual for 40 minutes.
Allow steam to escape, then remove the pork from the Instant Pot.
Preheat oven to Broil.
Use 2 forks to shred the pork, then place on a baking tray. Add 1/2 of the juice left in the pot to the pork.
Broil pork for about 5 minutes, until the top is crispy. Flip the pork over, return it to the oven, and broil for another 3-5 minutes to crisp up the other side.
Add the remaining juice from the Instant Pot to the carnitas to serve.
Garnish with onions, cilantro, and lime wedges, if desired.

Video

Notes

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER CARNITAS

Store leftover carnitas in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

CAN I FREEZE LEFTOVER CARNITAS?

Pack leftover carnitas in air tight containers, and freeze up to 3 months. I love doing this in individual portions, so I can pull it out and reheat it for quick tacos or salads for lunch!

HOW TO COOK CARNITAS IN THE OVEN WITH A DUTCH OVEN

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, or just prefer cooking in a dutch oven, Carnitas is traditionally prepared this way!

Step 1: Heat dutch oven over medium high heat, and add the avocado oil. Add pork in several pieces at a time, browning both sides. Remove the pork from the dutch oven when it’s browned, and repeat until all pork has been browned.
Step 2: Return the pork to the dutch oven, along with the marinade, and bake the pork at 325º F for 2 1/2 – 3 hours. Check the pork at 2 hours, and if it easily shreds, it’s ready. If it needs more time, cook for another half an hour until the pork falls apart easily.
Follow the rest of the instructions for browning the pork under the broiler, as written in the main instructions.

HOW TO COOK CARNITAS IN A SLOW COOKER (CROCKPOT METHOD)

A slow cooker is a great way to make carnitas!

Step 1: Heat a skillet over medium high heat, and add the avocado oil. Add pork in several pieces at a time, browning both sides. Remove the pork from the skillet when it’s browned, and repeat until all pork has been browned.
Step 2: Add pork to a slow cooker, along with the marinade, and slow cook on LOW for 3-4 hours, or on HIGH for 2 hours. The pork is ready when it easily shreds.
Follow the rest of the instructions for browning the pork under the broiler, as written in the main instructions.

CAN I MAKE CARNITAS WITH CHICKEN?

Absolutely! The marinade is delicious with chicken breasts or thighs. Follow the same instructions, except cut the cooking time to 25 minutes in the Instant Pot.

HOW TO SERVE CRISPY CARNITAS

This crispy, flavorful pork dish will steal the show with any meal!

Serve it as:

CARNITAS TACOS (MEXICAN PORK TACOS)

Use corn tortillas, piled high with crispy carnitas, pico de gallo, avocado and cilantro, for simple street tacos.

PULLED PORK ENCHILADAS

Many Tex Mex restaurants use carnitas for an enchilada filling. Try my Enchilada Casserole or Butternut Enchiladas, using Carnitas in place of some of the fillings in those recipes. You can also make easy carnitas enchiladas by using this gluten free enchilada sauce recipe, corn tortillas, and cheddar cheese.

CARNITAS BURRITO BOWLS (LIKE CARNITAS AT CHIPOTLE!)

Add carnitas to rice and bean bowls (use cauliflower rice if preferred!), and serve with mango salsa and avocado. More traditionally, carnitas is served with black beans, rice, and pico de gallo.

CARNITAS TACO SALADS

Flavorful slow cooked meats are great for adding to taco salads! Use you favorite greens (I love romaine for this), carnitas, salsa, avocado, and chopped veggies, like carrots, cucumber, or bell peppers. The meat has so much flavor, you probably won’t need cheese or dressing!

Nutrition