Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe With Sweet Corn Salsa

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Instant Pot Carnitas are a fresh and flavorful take on a classic Mexican dish that will knock your socks off. Bold spices, a fresh, crunchy salsa, and the wonderfully tender pork come together to make the most amazing dish ever. And, because we are using the Instant Pot, you’ll have carnitas on the table in no time!

Let’s get started!

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corn tortillas with carnitas, sweet corn salsa and cotija cheese

let’s talk carnitas

What is a carnita? Literally, the word carnitas means “little meats,” and its basically a tender braised pork that is eaten in tortillas and topped with a fresh salsa situation. It’s delicious and wonderful and everything that dreams are made of.

My Instant Pot Carnitas are even more wonderful because they come together in no time in the glorious slow cooker. They are loaded with bold flavors, bright colors, and amazing textures. The tender pork is piled high onto a warm tortilla, topped with the sweet corn salsa and fresh garnishes. A squeeze of lime to finish and you’ll have the best taco you’ve ever eaten. I have taco(S) because I can eat a pile of them. They’re that good.

These carnitas are also great for a spin on the usual Taco Tuesday, for meal prepping, and even for your next party! Whatever you do, don’t sleep on my Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe. You need them. Your family needs them. And, everyone will thank you.

pork carnitas ingredients

pork shoulder or pork butt
avocado oil
kosher salt
fresh ground pepper
chili powder
smoked paprika
granulated onion
ground cumin
dried oregano
ground coriander
Mexican beer
orange juice
cup lime juice
cloves garlic
fresh sweet corn
jalapeños
red onion
cilantro
limes
corn or flour tortillas
avocado
cotija cheese

let’s make carnitas!

the carnitas

Grab that Instant Pot and let’s go!

To begin the Instant Pot Carnitas, cut the pork into large chunks – about 2 inch pieces. This will increase the surface area for searing, creating more opportunity for more flavor. We like more flavor.

Next, toss the pork pieces with the spices to coat. Using the high sauté function on the instant pot and working in batching, sear each piece in a little avocado oil. Once all the pieces have been seared, remove them from the Instant Pot and set aside.

Deglaze the pot with the beer and citrus juices, scraping up the brown bits on the bottom. Add pork back in along with the chicken broth and garlic cloves. Cook on high pressure for one hour. Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure. This helps to ensure the pork will be super tender.

Instant Pot Pro Crisp 11-in-1

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the sweet corn salsa

While the carnitas do their magic in the Instant Pot, make the sweet corn salsa. It’s so simple it’ll only take about 5 minutes. Carefully remove the corn from the cob and place the kernels into a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cilantro, diced onion, and jalapeño. Squeeze the juice of two limes into the bowl and season with kosher salt. Give it a little taste test to determine if you need more salt. If it’s good to go, let it hang out in the fridge until the pork is done.

the assembly

Once carnitas are done, remove the meat from the pot and set aside. Turn the Instant Pot back on to the high sauté function to allow the cooking liquid to reduce. Shred the pork and put onto a baking sheet. Turn your oven onto high broil, stick the carnitas into the oven, and allow them to crisp up just a bit.

Once the pork is nice and crispy, pile high onto warm corn tortillas and top with the sweet corn salsa. Garnish with a little avocado, cotija cheese and lime juice. Dip the tacos into that amazing cooking liquid. Try to each just one. I dare you.

slow cooker and dutch oven instruction

For the slow cooker, sear the pork pieces on the stove top in a large skillet. Add the pork into the slow cooker. Deglaze the skillet with the beer and citrus juices. Add the liquid into the slow cooker along with the chicken broth and garlic cloves. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours, until the carnitas are tender. Reduce the cooking liquid on the stovetop. Finish recipe as instructed below.

For the dutch oven, sear the meat on medium-high. Remove the meat and set aside. Deglaze the pot with the beer and citrus juices. Place the pork back into the pot, add the chicken broth and garlic cloves. Put into a 300° oven for 4-6 hours or until the pork is fall apart tender. Remove the pork from the dutch oven and reduce the liquid on the stove top. Finish recipe as instructed below.

frequently asked questions

Is this recipe gluten-free?

If gluten is of concern, no worries. There isn’t any at all in this recipe.

Is this recipe dairy-free?

The only thing in this recipe that has dairy is the the cotija sprinkle at the end. Feel free to substitute with your favorite non-dairy cheese or just leave the cheese out completely. The carnitas will still be amazing!

I hate cilantro. Do I have to use it?

Cilantro is a contentious subject. You either love it or hate it. I love it. I could eat a cilantro salad. However, if you don’t like it, simply leave it out and you’ll still have an amazing result!

Pork shoulder vs. pork butt. Which should I use for the Instant Pot Carnitas Recipe?

Both of these cuts come from the shoulder of the pig. Either one would be perfect for this recipe. Use whatever you like and what your local grocery store has.

Any other serving ideas for the carnitas?

The carnitas portion of this recipe would make an amazing protein topper for a salad. I also love to make rice bowls. Just pile the carnitas on top of simply steamed rice or cauliflower rice and garnish away.

Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Baking Sheets

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