Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender, flavorful pork carnitas cooked quickly in the Instant Pot and served in warm tortillas with tangy pickled red onions. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 80 minutes pairs cut into 3-inch chunks pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 25 min Cook: 55 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 thinly sliced medium red onion and let sit for at least 20 minutes to quick-pickle.
  2. Step 2: Season 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves.
  3. Step 3: Turn Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Brown pork chunks in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden, then remove.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup lime juice to the pot, scraping up browned bits. Return pork to pot.
  5. Step 5: Seal Instant Pot lid and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Allow natural release for 15 minutes, then quick release remaining pressure.
  6. Step 6: Remove pork and shred with two forks. Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy.
  7. Step 7: Warm 12 corn tortillas and assemble tacos with crispy pork, pickled red onions, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (25 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Instant Pot Mexican Pork Carnitas Tacos with Pickled Onions?

Mexican pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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