Pork Carnitas Recipe – Pressure Cooker Or Slow Cooker

This post is sponsored by the National Pork Board. All opinions are my own.

Pork carnitas are a tender and crispy dish, bursting with the flavor of authentic spices and a hint of citrus. This pork carnitas recipe is so simple to make and is the perfect meat to add to tacos, nachos, and more. Simmer the juices down to make an irresistible sauce. And the best part? This recipe can be made in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. 

Ingredients you will need: fresh pork tenderloin, oranges, limes, oil, salsa verde, oregano, cumin, cilantro, bay leaf, garlic, cinnamon, and onion. Plus, ingredients for serving. All of these delicious ingredients can be found at your local Safeway.

Perfect Fall Food

It’s fall! And do you know what that means? 

College football. 

You didn’t think I was going there, did you? Our family loves college football or “ootball,” according to my almost 2-year-old. I’ve never seen a little boy more excited than he was on the first day of football season. He was jumping up and down, yelling “Yay! Ootball!” Cutest. Thing. Ever.

But you know what is better than watching football? Eating tender and crispy pork carnitas while watching football, obviously. I think one of the best parts of football season is the game-day food, and these pork carnitas are a real winner.

It doesn’t get much better than that, does it? But it doesn’t have to be football season to eat this. Let’s be honest, these carnitas are good any time of year. And because they can be made in the slow cooker or pressure cooker, they make an easy and delicious weeknight meal. 

This recipe is so simple and delicious and can be used so many ways. I love how versatile fresh pork is. It can be used and made into so many meals, but pork carnita tacos may just be my absolute favorite. Hmm or maybe nachos. It’s a toss-up. 

We love how convenient and easy it is to shop at our local Safeway. They make it so easy to run in, grab all the ingredients I need, and get out so quickly, which is essential when you have two kids ages 4 and under.

Plus, with the mobile app, I can easily find coupons and make a grocery list, simplifying my life even more.

Check out your local Safeway to find all the different cuts of fresh pork and all the ingredients you need to make this recipe. 

Ok, let’s make this irresistible pork carnitas recipe!

Tips for making pork carnitas:

• Brown fresh pork tenderloin and caramelize the oranges before cooking. This helps develop and intensify the flavors. You can skip this step, but it adds another level of flavor.
• If you don’t have lime juice, you can substitute lemon juice. Lime is better, but lemon will work just fine.
• This recipe can be served so many delicious ways; see some suggestions below.
• Pork tenderloin or pork shoulder can be used to make this recipe. Pork shoulder tends to come in larger portions and the time will have to be adjusted.
• You can use oranges or tangerines for this recipe. If using tangerines, use 4 small peeled ones. 

Are pork carnitas healthy?

This recipe is! Traditionally, carnitas are slow-cooked and then fried in oil or lard to crisp it up. Instead of frying the pork after it has been cooked and shredded, we are going to place it on a baking sheet and broil it for just a few minutes to get it crispy. 

You could opt out of this step and eat it without broiling it, but the crispiness really adds a deliciously caramelized flavor and texture. 

Health Benefits Of Pork

Pork is a great source of protein and is actually one of the most complete sources of protein since it contains all nine amino acids that are essential for growth and maintenance. In just a 3oz. serving, pork loin (159 calories) and pork sirloin (173 calories) contain 24g of protein! Pork tenderloin (122 calories) contains 22g of protein per serving.

In order to get the same amount of protein as in 3 oz. of pork, you’d need the following quantities:

• 6 Tablespoons of Peanut Butter (564 calories)
• 1.5 Cups Cooked Black Beans (342 calories)
• 1.5 Cups Non-Fat Greek Yogurt (300 calories)
• 4 Hard Boiled Eggs (312 calories)
• 6.5 Cups Broccoli (176 calories)
• 3 Cups Quinoa (666 calories)

I love that two popular pork cuts, pork sirloin roast and pork tenderloin, meet the American Heart Association’s criteria for a heart-healthy food. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, like thiamine, selenium, zinc, vitamins B12 & B6, and much more.

What temperature should pork be cooked to?

For tender and safe pork, cook whole cuts—like loin roasts, tenderloin, and chops—until a meat thermometer reads 145⁰F after a three-minute rest. This ensures that your pork is cooked to a safe temperature while still being juicy and tasty.

Ground pork should read 160⁰F with your meat thermometer. However, when cooking pork shoulder cuts, I would recommend cooking them until they can easily be pulled apart.

Pork shoulder has a lot of connective tissue that needs to be broken down. I usually cook mine to about 195⁰F for best results.

How do you eat pork carnitas?

• Tacos – Traditionally, carnitas are eaten on tortillas as tacos, but you are not just limited to tacos! 
• Pork carnita nachos – don’t place the carnitas in the broiler. Instead, on a sheet pan, spread a layer of tortilla chips. Then, sprinkle a good amount of cheese and your favorite nacho toppings. We like onions, peppers, and black beans, but you should go with whatever your nacho-loving heart desires. Sprinkle shredded pork on top, and place in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes or until pork starts to crisp and cheese is melted. Serve with guacamole, salsa and sour cream. 
• Carnita Grilled Cheese – Not even kidding about this one. So good. I made this for my daughter when she didn’t want the nachos. On a slice of bread, add a slice of cheese (mozzarella or cheddar will work great), add carnita meat, and top with a little more cheese. Spread some sour cream on the top slice, and place it in the pan—sour cream side down. Cook on a buttered skillet over medium-low heat until sides turn golden and cheese is melted.
• Over rice – Serve pork carnitas over a bed of rice and any (all?) of your favorite veggies. Top with the juices.
• Breakfast sandwich – Serve meat on english muffins with avocado and eggs.
• Tex-Mex pizza– Spread pork carnitas over flatbread with corn, black beans, onions, and cheese. Bake until the flatbread starts to turn golden and cheese is melted. Top with fresh greens and sour cream.

What goes with carnitas?

Fresh avocado

Guacamole

Tomatoes

Onions

Beans – black are always my bean of choice for Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes

Salsa – fresh or jarred

Fresh greens

Fresh cilantro

How To Make Pork Carnitas In the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

1. Turn pressure cooker on saute.
2. Add oil and peeled, sliced oranges.
3. Slice pork into 2 – 3 inch pieces and add to pot to brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
4. Add diced onions, garlic, and seasonings.
5. In a liquid measuring cup, add 1/2 cup salsa verde, 1/2 cup water or chicken broth, and lime juice.
6. Pour into pot with pork. Cover and set knob to sealing. 
7. Set on high pressure for 20-40 minutes. 20 minutes for 1.5 lbs of meat and up to 40 minutes with 4-6 lbs of meat.
8. Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes. Turn knob to venting after 10 minutes.
9. Let pork rest for 3 minutes; take temperature using meat thermometer. Pork Shoulder should read 195 or higher.
10. Shred pork with forks and spread on a baking sheet.
11. Optional: Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching for browning, but don’t let it burn.
12. Optional: while carnitas are crisping up, create a sauce by simmering the juices left in the pressure cooker. This is easy to do in the same pot by just turning on the saute function. Allow the sauce to thicken. This takes about 10 minutes or so. 
13. Serve!

How To Make Pork Carnitas In The Slow Cooker

1. In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and peeled sliced oranges. 
2. Slice pork into 2 – 3 inch pieces and add to pan to brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Add diced onions, garlic, and seasonings.
4. In a liquid measuring cup, add 1/2 cup salsa verde, 1/2 cup water or chicken broth, and lime juice.
5. Pour into skillet with pork and deglaze the pan, scraping up any caramelized bits. 
6. Transfer everything in the pan to the slow cooker and set on low for 8 hours.
7. Let pork rest for 3 minutes; take temperature using meat thermometer. Pork should read 195 or higher.
8. Shred pork with forks and spread on a baking sheet. 
9. Optional: Broil for 3-5 minutes, watching for browning, but don’t let it burn.
10. Serve!
11. For optional sauce: transfer juices into a saucepan over medium heat and reduce down to half.

Try out some of our favorite family favorite meals:

• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: Easy Weeknight Dinner
• Healthy Baked Carrot Fries Recipe
• Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli- Easy Healthy Recipe
• Chicken Lentil Soup: Easy Weeknight Soup
• Italian Beef Recipe-Quick And Easy Chicago Style

Pork Carnita Recipe Card

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you came back and give it 5 stars! Please and thank you.

Thank you to the National Pork Board for sponsoring this post. Make sure to head over to Safeway to see all the amazing fresh pork products they have in the meat section.

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