Name: Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Tostadas with Pico de Gallo
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 55 min
Ingredients: 12 oz boneless pork shoulder; 1 lime; 2 oranges; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder; 1/4 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 cup red onions ((sliced)); 2 garlic cloves ((peeled)); 1 cup water; 1/4 cup cilantro ((chopped)); 2 roma tomatoes ((diced)); 1/4 cup red onions ((diced)); 1/2 cup cilantro ((chopped)); 1 each lime ((juiced)); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 cups spring mix; 4 tostada shells

This Instant Pot Pork Carnitas is a game changer for your weekly dinner meal prep! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant, but you don’t have to break the budget by making it yourself at home.

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Plate with pork carnitas on tostada shells topped with fresh pico de gallo and served with a side salad.

What Are Pork Carnitas?

Carnitas is a Mexican pork dish that usually uses inexpensive cuts of pork which uses inexpensive cuts of pork, making it an ideal ingredient for weekly meal prep.

The pork is then braised or simmered for hours with seasonings until it is so tender that you can shred it with a fork.

Since we want to keep meal prep quick and easy, we are going to skip the long hours of cooking the pork and take advantage of our Instant Pot and pressure cook it so that it can be ready in just a little over an hour.

Here’s What You Need to Make Pork Carnitas

Pork: We used a skinless, boneless pork shoulder
Citrus Fruits: We added lime and orange to brighten up the dish with citrus flavors
Aromatics: Onions and garlic cloves add a ton of flavor to your cooking
Herbs: We used cilantro for a fresh herb flavor
Tostada shells: After cooking the pork we are going to serve it on top of a tostada shell

Ingredients for pork carnitas that include red onions, seasonings, cilantro, green onion, lime, orange, and pork.

How to Make Instant Pot Carnitas

Place the pork in the bottom of the instant pot.
Sprinkle in the seasonings and add the red onions, garlic cloves, and chopped cilantro.
Squeeze in the juice of the lime and oranges and leave the peels in the pot.
Add a little bit of water and seal the lid.
Cook on medium setting for 45 minutes.
After the pork cooks, carefully release the steam and remove the lid.
Remove the pork from the pot and shred the meat with two forks.
Serve on top of tostadas with additional toppings.

Reference the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Meal Prep Tips for Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

Optional cook tip: In traditional carnitas recipes, the last step is to crisp up the shredded pork by sauteeing it in a pan. You can also place the shredded pork on a sheet pan and roast them in the oven until it is crispy before serving it.
What to serve with pork carnitas: You can serve it in a soft tortilla with shredded cabbage and top it off with sour cream, cheese, or avocado slices.
Large Batches: Increase the serving size of the recipe and make a large batch that you can freeze. Store it in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze it for up to 3 months for the best quality.
Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days for the best quality.

Glass meal prep containers with pork carnitas on tostada shells topped with fresh pico de gallo.

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas Tostadas with Pico de Gallo

Savory and tendor pork carnitas cooked in the Instant Pot served on top of crispy tostada shells and a fresh side salad.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 55

Course lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings

Equipment

knife
cutting board
Instant Pot

Ingredients

Pork Carnitas and Tostadas

12 oz boneless pork shoulder
1 lime
2 oranges
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup red onions (sliced)
2 garlic cloves (peeled)
1 cup water
1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)

Pico de Gallo

2 roma tomatoes (diced)
1/4 cup red onions (diced)
1/2 cup cilantro (chopped)
1 each lime (juiced)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients

4 cups spring mix
4 tostada shells

Instructions

Place the pork shoulder in the bottom of the instant pot. Sprinkle in the seasonings and add the red onions, garlic cloves, and chopped cilantro. Squeeze in the orange juice and lime juice. Leave the peels in the pot and pour in the water.
Cover the instant pot with the lid making sure it is in the sealed position. Cook on medium setting for 45 minutes (Note: if you do not have an instant pot, you can use a slow cooker on high for 4 to 6 hours)
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the pico de gallo.
After the pork cooks, carefully release the steam. Separate the pork from the excess liquid. Use two forks to shred the pork into small pieces. Serve the pork carnitas on top of tostada shells with pico de gallo and a side salad.