• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sweetly Splendid
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Collaborate
  • eBook
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Food » Carnitas in the Oven, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot

    Carnitas in the Oven, Slow Cooker, or Instant Pot

    97 shares
    • share
    • tweet
    • save
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Carnitas are seasoned, tender, caramelized, shredded pork. I'm going to break down how to make carnitas in the oven, crockpot, and Instant Pot.

    how to make carnitas on a baking sheet

    This post may contain affiliate links. This means if you decide to purchase through my link, I may earn a very small commission at no additional cost to you.

    What I love about making Carnitas

    • It's tender, juicy, and flavorful
    • Carnitas can be made in the oven, crockpot, or Instant Pot depending on your preference
    • The crispy, caramelized bits of pork add incredible crunch and flavor
    • They are so versatile that they go well with so many dishes

    Ingredients for making Carnitas

    • boneless pork butt or shoulder
    • avocado oil (or any other high smoke point oil)
    • kosher salt
    • ground black pepper
    • beef stock
    • oranges
    • lime
    • ground cumin
    • chili powder
    • dried oregano
    • ground coriander
    • onion
    • garlic
    • jalapeno
    how to make carnitas ingredients

    How to Make Dutch Oven Carnitas in the Oven

    Detailed instructions and measurements to make carnitas are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
    2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    3. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
    4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    5. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the Dutch oven. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    7. Add the pork back to the dutch oven and bring to a simmer uncovered.
    8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the pot and bake in the oven for 2 hours.
    9. Remove the pot from the oven. Turn on the broiler.
    10. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    11. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    12. Place the pot on the stove (with only the cooking liquid remaining inside) and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
    13. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    14. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!
    pork butt in a dutch oven
    broth in a dutch oven
    seared pork butt covered in onions jalapenos and garlic
    reduced sauce in dutch oven

    How to Make Carnitas in the Slow Cooker

    1. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    2. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
    3. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    4. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the frying pan. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pan by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    5. When the pan has de-glazed completely, pour the stock into the crockpot. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    6. Add the pork to the crockpot.
    7. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. I do not recommend cooking on high.
    8. Once cooked, preheat the broiler.
    9. Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    10. Strain the liquid that is left in the crockpot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    11. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
    12. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    13. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

    How do you cook Carnitas in the Instant Pot?

    1. Turn the Instant Pot on to the SAUTE function.
    2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    3. Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot.
    4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    5. Press CANCEL and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    7. Add the pork back to the Instant Pot.
    8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
    9. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 1 hour.
    10. QUICK RELEASE the pressure.
    11. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    12. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    13. Turn the SAUTE function back on the Instant Pot with only the cooking liquid remaining inside. Boil until it begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
    14. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    15. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

    Tips, Tricks, and Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I use pork tenderloin?

    I would not recommend it. There is not enough fat and it will dry out. It also will not shred the same.

    Can I make carnitas from frozen pork?

    No, I would not. Your pork will not cook evenly and it will not result in tender, juicy, shredded pork.

    What cut of meat is used for carnitas?

    I recommend using either boneless pork butt or boneless pork shoulder.

    What is the difference between pulled pork and carnitas?

    Pulled pork and carnitas are similar, but not the same. While pulled pork is done once the pork has finished cooking and it's shredded, carnitas is shredded and then broiled. Carnitas have a juicy, but caramelized crispy bits.

    Why are my carnitas tough?

    There are a few reasons your carnitas might be tough. First, you need to be sure you cook them low and slow. Rushing the process will give your a tough cut. If cooking them in the oven, be sure you have enough liquid in the pot. Don't over cook them and make sure that your pork is fully thawed before cooking.

    Are carnitas keto?

    Yes. This carnitas recipe is keto-friendly.

    carnitas on a baking sheet

    How to Lower Calories or WW Points

    A majority of the calories and WW points for this recipe come from the cut of pork and the final calorie count does not account for the fact that the fat has been skimmed off. I don't recommend changing your cut of pork.

    A great way to keep the calories and WW points lower with carnitas is to serve it burrito bowl style.

    What to Make with Carnitas

    • burritos
    • quesadillas
    • enchiladas
    • tacos
    • burrito bowls
    • topped with a fried egg
    • nachos

    What should I serve with carnitas?

    We like to serve our carnitas with rice, beans, and anything else you'd love to have with tacos.

    What do you put on carnitas?

    We love putting ours in tacos and topping them with queso fresco and fresh chopped cilantro.

    How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Pulled Pork Carnitas

    Can leftovers be frozen?

    Absolutely! Carnitas are great in enchiladas, tacos, burrito bowls, all sorts of things so if you have leftovers, I highly recommend freezing them. Save the liquid separately and use it to moisten it back up when reheating.

    Mexican food recipes you might like

    • Mexican Shredded Beef
    • Crockpot Mexican Chili
    • Tex Mex Lasagna

    Other recipes you might like

    • Slow Cooker Sweet Pulled Pork
    • Crockpot Carne Asada
    • Southwest Chicken & Rice Skillet
    carnitas on a baking sheet

    How to Make Carnitas

    Carnitas are seasoned, tender, caramelized, shredded pork. I'm going to break down how to make carnitas in the oven, crockpot, and Instant Pot.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins
    Course Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dishes
    Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 227 kcal
    Protein 35 g

    Equipment

    • dutch oven, crockpot, or pressure cooker
    • measuring cups
    • measuring spoons
    • sheet pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 pounds boneless pork butt or shoulder cut into 4 pieces
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or any other high smoke point oil
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 2 cups low sodium beef stock
    • 2 whole oranges juiced
    • 1 whole lime juiced
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 whole onion chopped
    • 5 whole garlic cloves chopped
    • 1 whole jalapeno chopped (seeds and ribs removed for less heat)

    Instructions
     

    Oven Method

    • Preheat the oven to 300°F.
    • Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    • In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
    • Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    • Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the Dutch oven. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    • When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    • Add the pork back to the dutch oven and bring to a simmer uncovered.
    • Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the pot and bake in the oven for 2 hours.
    • Remove the pot from the oven. Turn on the broiler.
    • Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    • Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    • Place the pot on the stove (with only the cooking liquid remaining inside) and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
    • Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    • Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

    Slow Cooker Method

    • Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    • In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
    • Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    • Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the frying pan. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pan by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    • When the pan has de-glazed completely, pour the stock into the crockpot. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    • Add the pork to the crockpot.
    • Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. I do not recommend cooking on high.
    • Once cooked, preheat the broiler.
    • Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    • Strain the liquid that is left in the crockpot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    • Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
    • Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    • Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

    Instant Pot Method

    • Turn the Instant Pot on to the SAUTE function.
    • Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
    • Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot.
    • Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
    • Press CANCEL and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
    • When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
    • Add the pork back to the Instant Pot.
    • Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
    • Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 1 hour.
    • QUICK RELEASE the pressure.
    • Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
    • Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
    • Turn the SAUTE function back on the Instant Pot with only the cooking liquid remaining inside. Boil until it begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
    • Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
    • Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

    Notes

    My favorite way to make them that I feel yields the best results is in the oven. 
    Do not skip the broiling steps. This is what makes them carnitas instead of just pulled pork. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    How to Make Carnitas
    Serving Size
     
    1 serving
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    227
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    9
    g
    14
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    19
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    83
    mg
    28
    %
    Sodium
     
    482
    mg
    21
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3
    g
    1
    %
    Fiber
     
    1
    g
    4
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    35
    g
    70
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword carnitas, crockpot, instant pot, oven, pork
    Have you tried this recipe? Please let us know how it was in the comments or tag us on Instagram @sweetlysplendid!

    « Cajun Shrimp Alfredo
    Garlic Hasselback Potatoes »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Kara

    Kara is a wife & mother living deep in the heart of Texas. She loves all things food and spending time with her family and dogs. She has a passion for cooking and loves making yummy, family-friendly recipes. Learn more about Kara...

    Categories

    Instagram

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    May 3

    18 2
    Open
    Air Fried Coconut Shrimp with a Creamy Pineapple Dipping Sauce - these crispy air fried shrimp are sweet and have a pina colada inspired sauce. They’ll have you ready for summer! 

https://sweetlysplendid.com/air-fryer-coconut-shrimp-with-creamy-pineapple-dipping-sauce/

#shrimp #seafood #coconut #coconutshrimp #airfryer #airfryerrecipes #airfryerrecipe #airfried #shrimprecipes #pineapple #summer #easyrecipes #easyrecipe #recipe #recipes #recipeshare
    18 2

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    Apr 27

    29 3
    Open
    Crispy Baked Garlic Potato Wedges are perfect when it comes to getting the crispy outside and fluffy inside of fries. It’s easy to have these thrown together in less than 30 minutes with your favorite burger. 

https://sweetlysplendid.com/crispy-baked-garlic-potato-wedges/

#potatoes #fries #potatowedges #frenchfries #garlic #recipe #recipes #easyrecipe #easyrecipes #recipeshare #comfortfood #mealideas #instafood #instayum #food #potato #healthyfood #healthyrecipes
    29 3

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    Apr 24

    20 9
    Open
    Grilling season is in full swing at my house. This Coastal Marinated Grilled Chicken is a favorite. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor. It had a honey lime base with soy sauce (or coconut aminos) and garlic. 

https://sweetlysplendid.com/coastal-marinated-grilled-chicken/

#chicken #grill #grilling #grillingseason #grilledchicken #chickenbreast #chickenrecipes #marinade #grilllife #easyrecipes #recipe #recipes #mealidea #mealplan #recipeshare #recipeoftheday
    20 9

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    Mar 21

    54 11
    Open
    Did you get a chance to see last weeks new recipe? This Baked Spaghetti is so good! It’s quick and easy to make. The gooey cheese center is my favorite part 😍

https://sweetlysplendid.com/baked-spaghetti/

……..
#easyrecipes #foodblogger #foodblogfeed #comfortfood #recipe #recipes #easydinner #dinner #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #dinnertime #pasta #pastarecipe #pastarecipes #spaghetti #casserole #cheese #easymeals #familyfriendly #cheesyfood #cheesy
    54 11

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    Mar 19

    117 45
    Open
    Saying goodbye to my first baby is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m broken. I’m overwhelmed with grief. I’m not okay. I’ve been unable to write this post every time I’ve tried, so I’ll share what Jacob wrote in my stories ❤️
    117 45

    sweetlysplendid

    View

    Mar 13

    145 23
    Open
    Have y’all tried this Chicken Noodle Casserole? It takes traditional chicken pot pie, adds pasta, and swaps the thick crust for a buttery, crispy, crumble topping. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal 😍 

https://sweetlysplendid.com/chicken-noodle-casserole/

……. 
#chicken #pasta #casserole #chickennoodle #eggnoodles #veggies #croutons #casseroles #easyeats #easyrecipes #easyrecipe #easyrecipesathome #easydinner #easymeals #weeknightdinner #weeknightmeals #weeknightdinners #sundaysupper #comfortfood #comfortfoods #recipes #recipeoftheday #recipeshare
    145 23
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Main Dishes

    pit boss smoked ribs covered in bbq sauce
    easy baked spaghetti recipe fully cooked and served on a plate with a fork
    beef stew in a bowl topped with parsley and a side of breadsticks
    sheet pan beef fajitas with tortillas and limes
    pumpkin chili in a bowl topped with fresh sage

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    Copyright © 2021 Sweetly Splendid all rights reserved