Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas: The Ultimate Weeknight Taco Triumph

Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas (with Air Fryer Lid)

Introduction

Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas deliver everything you want in a taco filling—juicy, zesty shredded pork with irresistibly crisp edges. This recipe unlocks authentic carnitas flavor and texture in a fraction of the time, using the magic combo of your Instant Pot’s pressure function and an Air Fryer Lid. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, feeding a crowd, or making sure taco night is nothing short of legendary.

Why You’ll Love This Carnitas Recipe

What sets these carnitas apart is the perfectly moist pork, infused with citrusy, savory flavors and finished with a golden, crispy crust. Using the pressure cooking function ensures fall-apart tenderness in under an hour—no all-day simmering required! The air fryer lid finishes the pork for restaurant-style crispiness, making these carnitas a total game-changer for homemade Mexican cuisine.

Essential Tools for Effortless Carnitas

Mastering crispy carnitas at home starts with the right equipment. The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart streamlines the stewing process, making quick work of even the toughest pork shoulder. Once cooked, the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt (or your Instant Pot’s air fryer lid) ensures a crispy finish without extra oil.

To prep your aromatics and garnishes efficiently, a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper saves time and ensures perfectly uniform cuts. Shredding pork is a breeze with a dedicated Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black—perfect for handling large batches quickly.

How to Crisp Carnitas in the Air Fryer

After pressure cooking, the pork is already deeply flavored and tender. Spreading it out on a tray and air frying gives you that signature crisp without any excess grease. Using Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup fast, especially with sticky citrus and rendered fat.

If your Instant Pot has an air fryer lid, crisp the shredded pork right in the inner pot. Prefer to use a stand-alone unit? Air fryers like the COSORI model offer ample space for larger batches, ensuring every piece gets delightfully crisp.

Serving Suggestions for Carnitas

Pile your crispy carnitas into warm tortillas and garnish with pico de gallo, pickled onions, or sliced radishes. The meat is just as delicious over rice bowls, in burritos, or as a taco salad protein. Keep leftovers fresh for meal prep by storing in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup).

Nutrition & Yield

This recipe yields about 8–10 servings, depending on how you use the pork. Each serving is protein-packed, with moderate calories, especially if you go easy on added toppings and tortillas. Make it lower-carb by serving with roasted veggies and skip the tortillas altogether.

Ingredients
– 4 lbs boneless pork shoulder (cut into 2-inch chunks)
– 1 tablespoon salt
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 tablespoon dried oregano
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 onion, diced
– 6 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 oranges, juiced
– 2 limes, juiced
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 2 bay leaves
– Optional: chopped cilantro, diced onions, lime wedges, tortillas for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat pork chunks dry and season well with salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.
  2. Add pork to the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart along with diced onion (use your Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper for speed!), minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaves.
  3. Secure the lid and set Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook” on high for 35 minutes. Allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
  4. Remove pork chunks and shred using a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black or two forks. Discard bay leaves.
  5. To crisp the pork:
  6. Serve immediately with your favorite garnishes and warm tortillas.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes (includes pressure build/release and air fry time)
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas Recap

These Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas turn a classic dish into a weeknight-friendly favorite, marrying juicy, seasoned pork with crave-worthy crispiness. With a few smart tools, mealtime is easier—and tastier—than ever. Perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, or simply savoring solo, it’s a surefire hit for any occasion.

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