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Home » Main Courses » Easy Keto Carnitas – Three Cooking Methods!

Easy Keto Carnitas – Three Cooking Methods!

Published: Feb 8, 2022 ~ by Tracey Hatch-Rizzi
Updated: Aug 11, 2022 ~ Leave a Comment

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This is a super easy keto carnitas recipe that makes the most juicy, fall-apart, mouthwatering Mexican style pulled pork ever.  It’s a crispy, tender, flavorful crowd favorite – with low-FODMAP and AIP carnitas variations!

Shredded carnitas on a white plate with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a side of tortillas and glass bowl of lime wedges.
Jump ahead to:
Benefits of batch-cooking carnitas
What is carnitas?
Is carnitas pork?
Carnitas vs Al Pastor
Is carnitas keto?
Ingredients
Can I make low-FODMAP carnitas?
Is this AIP carnitas?
Choosing the perfect cut
Preparation
How to make in the pressure cooker (or Instant Pot)
How to make in the slow cooker
Slow braising in the oven
Making crispy carnitas
What to do with the leftover liquid
Serving suggestions
Freezing
FAQ
Other recipes you might like

After starting a keto lifestyle, it took me a while to get around to cooking in my new Instant Pot.  But one of the first things I DID make was some keto carnitas.  I’m a total sucker for Mexican inspired dishes and mouthwatering pulled meats, and I’m glad I gave this a go.  I’ve almost always cooked all my recipes with pork shoulder in my slow cooker (see my recipe for Crock Pot Pulled Pork) but I decided to switch things up and try it in the Instant Pot.  Total win! Add this one to your Mexican recipe list, for sure. 

Juicy and tender easy keto carnitas isn’t just a favorite Cinco de Mayo recipe.  It’s a year-round delicacy!  I like to keep this amazing stuff on hand for quick and easy meals. Who doesn’t love a delicious carnitas burrito, or a good taco (or two… or three…).

Benefits of batch-cooking carnitas

Carnitas is a perfect meat dish for a week’s food prep.  It makes great leftovers, and weekday meal planning and meal prep a snap.  There’s nothing like quick and easy weeknight dinners or on-the-go lunches for us busy people, am I right? Easy is good.

You’ll fall in love with how fast dinner parties come together, too.  Crispy carnitas tacos come together in no time and are great for feeding a crowd. 

Making a large batch saves a ton of cashola, too.  It’s hard to say no to Chipotle carnitas or barbacoa at Chipotle – I hear you!  Those are tasty viddles right there.  But when you can rival that deliciousness in your own kitchen and save money, you’re made in the shade.  Who needs Chipotle delivery when you can save some bucks (I mean, we’re all on a budget, right?) and make piles of tacos, burritos and shredded pork salads to last the week?  No fast food delivery needed here, my friend.

Here’s another big bonus:  leftovers can be frozen for future use.  Just defrost, grab a pan to crisp it up, add some salad fixins or cauliflower rice and boom – a quickie keto carnitas bowl.

Shredded pork carnitas with a cilantro garnish on top.

What is carnitas?

The word ‘carnitas’ means ‘little meats’ in Spanish.  It is savory, juicy, fall apart pork traditionally slow cooked in lard. Since most folks don’t fancy simmering meat in a vat of fat (I’m all for that, actually), many recipes (including this one) instead, use garlic, spices and tangy citrus.  After cooking, it is shredded into little pieces, then roasted, broiled or fried to crisp the meat.  It is often slow cooked, but with the magic of the Instant Pot and a few simple ingredients, you get mouthwatering carnitas that is so flavorful and tender in about 75 minutes.

Is carnitas pork?

Yes, carnitas is traditionally made with pork.  Before I learned some Spanish, I actually thought that the word ‘carnitas’ meant pork.  The actual words for pork in Spanish are ‘carne de cerdo’ – meaning ‘pork meat’.  El cerdo means pig.  Nerdiness, aside, you could make your carnitas recipe with meat or poultry.

Carnitas vs Al Pastor

Even though both of these recipes are for two types of juicy Mexican pulled pork, they have a very different flavor profile, texture and are prepared differently.

Traditionally, carnitas is made by simmering or braising the shoulder in oil or lard until fall-apart tender, then shredded.  After cooking, the meat is then roasted to make it crisp. 

Al pastor means “shepherd style” in Spanish.  Mexican shepherds had a technique of roasting strips of marinated meat on vertical spits.  Today, in our home kitchens, al pastor is typically prepared by slicing pork shoulder, marinating it in dried chilies, achiote, spices and pineapple then grilled or cooked in a heavy skillet.  It may be served shredded or in large pieces.

Is carnitas keto?

Good news, my friends – it sure is.  Carnitas is a naturally low carb Mexican dish that you can include in many of your fabulous keto Mexican recipes. Even though this recipe (and pretty much all carnitas recipes) calls for orange juice. The carbohydrate concentration for each serving is ridiculously low to negligible.  You could skip the fresh orange juice, but I don’t recommend it.  If you really want to skip the orange juice, you could try adding orange peel powder.  I haven’t tried this (yet), but it would probably work. But fresh juice lends a sweetness and orange flavor that helps make this dish unique. You can see all of my delicious Keto Recipes here.

Folks that are looking for Paleo or Whole30 carnitas recipes are in luck, as well.  You can eat it on keto, paleo or Whole30 as much as your heart desires. Which, for me, is as often as possible. You can browse my yummy Paleo Recipes here.

Large chunks of seasoned pork shoulder on a cutting board surrounded by small ramekins of olive oil and spice rub, halved orange and lime, a garlic head, with a chef's knife on a red background.

Ingredients

This recipe doesn’t call for a lot of ingredients.  It’s simple and includes spices you probably already have in your keto pantry – with the exception of an orange.  Even with the addition of the small amount of orange juice, it still fits into a keto lifestyle.

  • Pork shoulder (aka picinic or butt) – marbled cuts, perfect for pulling.
  • Orange and limes – we’re using the juices of both! Personally, I love using tangelo oranges.
  • Onion and garlic – I use half of a large onion, thinly sliced, and two cloves of garlic.  Feel free to add more if you want!
  • Spices and herbs – Basil, oregano, cilantro, cumin, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper.
Colorful piles of rub spices in a white mortar and pestle.

Can I make low-FODMAP carnitas?

I’ve always made this recipe with some onion and garlic, so I haven’t tried it, myself.  I can tolerate some FODMAPs on occasion and I use this as one of my ‘on occasion’ treats.  I think the onion and garlic lend a lot of flavor, but you could try eliminating those, or sautéing the shoulder or butt in garlic-infused olive oil, and even replacing the onion with thinly sliced leek (green parts only). If you try these methods, please let me know how it turned out! See all of my Low-FODMAP recipes for wonderful mains, sides, and dessert ideas.

Is this AIP carnitas?

You can easily make this recipe AIP compliant! In the rub, simply omit the cumin, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Discover more of my AIP Recipes here.

Choosing the perfect cut

For super juicy and tender pulled pork, the shoulder cut is the best.  I recommend boneless shoulder, but bone-in would work just fine as well.

There are two parts of the shoulder:  the shoulder (also called the ‘picnic’ cut) and the butt.  The ‘butt’ actually doesn’t come from the butt of the pig – silly and confusing, I know.  But whatever it’s called, I love it.

Seared pork chunks piled on a white plate sitting on a brick red background.

Preparation

Preparing the rub – blend together a simple spice mix and to rub on and into every nook and cranny of the meat.

Cut the pork into pieces – I like to have the shoulder cut into pieces no larger than about 4”.

Rub it in good!

Slice up the onion and garlic and you’re ready to roll.

Seared pork chunks in Instant Pot with raw onion and garlic slices ready to cook.

How to make in the pressure cooker (or Instant Pot)

You can use your Instant Pot or other stove top pressure cooker.  I love my Instant Pot, but I use my stove top pressure cookers on a daily basis mostly for cooking up some quick veggies.

After the pork has been cut and rubbed, add some olive oil or lard to the pot and sauté, browning on all sides.  You may have to brown the meat in batches.  Simply remove the browned meat and set aside on a plate until all pieces are browned.

Place into the pressure cooker, along with the onion and garlic.

Add the lime and orange juice and cook on high pressure or use the Meat setting on your instant Pot.

Cook for about 60 minutes (15 minutes per pound of pork).

How to make in the slow cooker

While I’m a huge fan of my pressure cookers, cooking carnitas slow cooker style is definitely a favorite.  I actually prefer my pulled pork cooked low and slow.  Making this recipe in the Crock Pot is a snap to make and your house will smell insanely good.

While preparing the pork, turn the slow cooker to high until the pork is added.  This is optional, but I like to have my slow cooker nice and hot when the meat goes in.

Prepare the pork as detailed above:  cover with the rub, brown on all sides and add to your slow cooker along with the garlic, onion and juices.

Cook on the low setting for about 8 hours, until tender and is pulled apart easily with two forks.

Slow braising in the oven

Slow roasted pork in the oven is a thing of beauty.

I use a large Dutch oven, but any large, oven-safe, heavy pot will work.  After preparing the meat (see above) and it’s been browned, place the meat in the pot, toss in the onion, garlic and juices. 

Cover the pot and place in a pre-heated 300F degree oven and bake for about 3 ½ hours until meat is tender and shreddable.

Making crispy carnitas

You do not want to skip this step!  You can, of course, but there’s nothing like crisping up this tender pulled pork.  Trust me.  If you don’t feel like it, you don’t have to – it’s still amazing, tender and all-around out of this world.

After shredding the meat, I like to crisp it on the stove, in a skillet.  It takes just a few short minutes.

Crisping can also be done in the oven.  Spread the meat out on a sheet pan and place under the broiler for 5-10 minutes, flipping half way through.  If you don’t want to use the broiler, you can crisp your carnitas in the oven at 450F degrees for about 30 minutes, flipping about half way through.

What to do with the leftover liquid

Your finished carnitas will be quite juicy, with a good amount of liquid.  Don’t throw the liquid out (silent scream…)!  Believe me, this is liquid gold you will want to keep.

After you’ve removed your shredded carnitas, pour the liquid into smaller containers.  I like to freeze some and keep the rest in the fridge.

What to make with the carnitas liquid?  My favorite use is in making Mexican cauliflower rice.  Or, use it in soups or chili. See all of my delicious Soup Recipes here.

Keto carnitas taco with a side of lime and avocado on a green plate.

Serving suggestions

The sky is the limit on this one! Carnitas are so versatile.  Try it in tacos, burritos, sliders with my Keto Coleslaw with Cilantro and Lime!, and in quesadillas. I really love serving shredded pork on a green salad or piled high in a burrito bowl with cauliflower rice, black soy beans and leafy green veggies, with a heap of some dry, salty cotija cheese.

Whichever way you choose, serving it with sour cream, crema, guacamole, salsa verde and/or fresh, crisp radish salsa is going to make your taste buds extra happy. Try topping your mouthwatering creations with Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing – it’s amazing on tacos! Or, top with my Pineapple Habanero Sauce for a nice kick. If you prefer a more chunky topping, try with my Pineapple Habanero Salsa.

Freezing

Freezing carnitas for later is definitely a winner.  This pork makes the best leftovers! Let the carnitas cool to room temperature and place in a freezer bag or a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months.

To serve after freezing, thaw in the fridge and crisp the pork in a skillet on the stove top. Or, reheat in the oven for about 20 minutes at 400F degrees.

FAQ

Are carnitas healthy?

Because carnitas is made with fattier cuts of meat, it is perfect for a keto or carnivore lifestyle.  But with everything in moderation, anyone can enjoy this delicious dish.

One serving can provide about 40g of protein, 1g net carbs and 6g of fat.
Carnitas also contains vitamins A and C, calcium, phosphorus, iron, sodium and potassium.

Can I make chicken carnitas?

While carnitas is traditionally made with pork, you can use any meat or poultry you please.  To make a chicken carnitas recipe, you would prepare the chicken the same way you would the pork carnitas. 

I would recommend using chicken thighs, as they’re a fattier cut, but chicken breast can also be used.

How long is cooked pork good in the fridge?

The USDA recommends consuming within four days.  If you aren’t going to eat all of your carnitas in that amount of time, freeze it for some easy meals at a later date.

If you make this pork carnitas, please leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to hear how you liked them. Enjoy!

Crispy carnitas on a white plate with a side of tortillas and two serving forks.

Other recipes you might like

  • Crock Pot Pulled Pork
  • Olive Balsamic Turkey Thighs
  • Pineapple Habanero Sauce
  • Homemade Cauliflower Rice

This post contains affiliate links. As an Instacart and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Close up of carnitas on a low carb tortilla with avocado and lime slices and a cilantro garnish.

Easy Keto Carnitas – Three Cooking Methods!

Author: Tracey Hatch-Rizzi
This is a super easy keto carnitas recipe and makes the most juicy, fall-apart, mouthwatering Mexican style pulled pork ever!  It’s crispy, tender, flavorful crowd favorite – but you may not want to share…
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Category: Main Courses
Cuisine: Mexican
Method: Instant Pot, Oven, Slow cooker
Yield: 12 servings
Diet:Gluten Free
Special Diet:AIP, Keto, Low-Carb, Low-FODMAP, Paleo

Ingredients
 
 

  • 3 pounds pork shoulder (picnic or butt)
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (for browning the meat)
  • 2 garlic cloves (thinly sliced (omit for low-FODMAP))
  • ½ large onion (sliced (omit for low-FODMAP))
  • ¼ cup chicken broth (or pork broth. Prepare using my Homemade Bone Broth)
  • 1 lime (juice only)
  • 1 orange (juice only)

Carnitas rub

  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried cilantro (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder (omit for AIP)
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper (omit for AIP)
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions
 

Make the dry rub

  • Combine all carnitas rub ingredients in a mortar and pestle and grind until powdered.

Prep for all cooking methods

  • Cut the pork into 3-4 inch pieces.
  • Rub the dry rub on all sides of the pork.
  • If you have any spice rub left, add it to the pork once in the pot, before cooking.

To make Instant Pot carnitas

  • Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and add the olive oil.
  • Brown the pork on all sides.  You may have to work in batches to brown all of the pork:  Add as much pork as will fit comfortably into your Instant Pot.  When browned on all sides, remove the pork and set aside on a plate until all the pieces are browned.
  • Add the pork or chicken broth, orange juice and lime juice and deglaze the pot, scraping as many cooked bits from the bottom of the pot as possible.
  • Place the pork in the Instant Pot and top with the onion and garlic and any leftover spice rub.
  • Cook on the “Meat” setting for 60 minutes and use the natural release method.
  • Using two forks, pull the pork into shreds.

Making the carnitas in the slow cooker

  • Pre-heat the slow cooker on high.
  • Add the olive oil to a skillet and brown the pork on all sides on medium heat.  You may have to work in batches to brown all of the pork:  Add as much pork will fit comfortably into your skillet.  When browned on all sides, remove the pork and set aside on a plate until all the pieces are browned.
  • Add the broth, lime and orange juices to the pan and deglaze, working up any crispy bits on the pan.
  • Add the pan juices, browned pork, onion and garlic to the slow cooker and cover.  Turn the slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours.
  • With two forks, pull the pork into shreds.

To make the carnitas in the oven

  • Pre-heat the oven to 300 °F degrees.
  • In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, add the olive oil.
  • Add the pork and brown on all sides.  You may have to work in batches to brown all of the pork:  Add as much pork will fit comfortably into your large pot.  When browned on all sides, remove the pork and set aside on a plate until all the pieces are browned.
  • Add the broth, lime and orange juices to the pot and deglaze, scraping up any stuck-on bits.  
  • Add the pork, onion, garlic and any leftover spice rub to the pot and cover.  Bake in the oven for about 3 ½ hours until the meat is tender and shreddable.
  • With two forks, pull the meat into shreds.

To crisp the carnitas

  • To crisp the carnitas in a skillet, with a slotted spoon, remove the pork from the pot juices and place in the skillet.  Cook on medium heat until crisp, flipping often, about 5-10 minutes.
  • To crisp carnitas in the oven, pre-heat the oven to 450 °F.  Place the carnitas on a sheet pan and bake in the oven until crisp, about 20 minutes.
  • Using the broiler:  Place the carnitas on a sheet pan and broil for about 5-10 minutes, turning them over about half-way through.

Notes

For a gluten-free carnitas burrito, try using almond flour tortillas.  And for a Keto burrito option, try these low carb tortillas.

Cook times for the recipe are presented for the Instant Pot method.

Nutrition

Serving: 5 ozCalories: 350 kcalCarbohydrates: 1 gProtein: 39 gFat: 6 gCholesterol: 148 mgSodium: 89 mgFiber: 0 gNet Carbs*: 1 g

*Net carbs = carbohydrates – fiber

Nutritional information is an estimate, calculated using online tools and does not include optional ingredients unless otherwise indicated.

Keywords: carnitas, carnitas bowl, carnitas burrito
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @Rad_Foodie on Instagram so I can see it!

Filed Under: AIP, Keto, Low FODMAP, Main Courses, Paleo, Recipes

About Tracey Hatch-Rizzi

Tracey Hatch-Rizzi, LAc, MAcOM is a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist with a strong background in science and nutrition. She has followed a ketogenic diet since 2018 and has over 10 years' experience with special diets, including the low-FODMAP diet. Tracey is dedicated to providing delicious, healthy recipes, and educational resources to help others find optimal health through informed diet and lifestyle choices.

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Blog author.

Hey there! I’m Tracey – an acupuncturist, nutrition nerd, cat herder, outdoors enthusiast and lover of comfort food! I enjoy cooking mostly healthy keto, low-carb and low-FODMAP recipes and sharing them (okay, eating them too…)!  When I’m not making a huge mess in the kitchen, I’m exploring and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest.  Learn more…

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