Instant Pot Carnitas
This Instant Pot Carnitas delivers 49g protein and 421 calories per serving, offering substantial protein density per batch. Quick prep produces 8 servings, maximizing your yield-to-time ratio for efficient meal prepping. High protein-per-serving makes it effective for meeting 160g+ daily targets across your week.
Ingredients
- •Pork Loin(1814g)
- •2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus additional to taste)
- •Orange Juice, Fresh(120g)
- •Garlic(15g)
- •Vinegar, Apple Cider(30g)
- •Chipotle Chile Powder, Ground(15g)
- •Cumin, Ground(10g)
- •Chili powder(5g)
- •Oregano, Dried(5g)
- •1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- •Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Any carton chicken broth labeled "low sodium." Swanson or store brand.
- •Olive oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Yellow Onion
- •JalapeñO Pepper
Instructions
- 1Season the pork on all sides with 2 teaspoons of the salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to come to room temperature.
- 2In a mixing bowl or large measuring cup, stir together the orange juice, garlic, vinegar, chipotle chile powder, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and black pepper. Set aside.
- 3Warm the oil in the Instant Pot, using the pot’s sauté function. Add the onion and jalapeño. Cook until the onion is beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- 4Turn the Instant Pot off. Splash in about half of the broth. With a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula, remove any stuck-on bits of food (there may not be any, but if there are, they must be removed or the Instant Pot could register a BURN warning).
- 5Add the pork, then pour in the remaining broth and the orange juice mixture. Turn the pork pieces to combine the ingredients and coat the pork evenly on all sides.
- 6Close and seal the Instant Pot. Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes. Once the pressure has built and the time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes.
- 7Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven's broiler to high. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil.
- 8With two forks, shred the pork directly in the Instant Pot, discarding any large bits of remaining fat. Stir the pork in the sauce to coat it evenly.
- 9Use a spoon to scoop the pork onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread the pork into an even layer.
- 10Broil the pork for 3 to 5 minutes, until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up (don't walk away! It can quickly start to burn).
- 11To warm the tortillas, wrap them in foil and pop them into the oven’s center rack while the pork broils. Or, you can heat the tortillas in a dry skillet on the stove.
- 12Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Lightly toss and stir the pork to expose unbroiled sides. Return the pan to the oven and broil for 3 to 5 minutes more (the meat should become nice and crispy at its edges). Enjoy hot, piled into warm tortillas or over rice with toppings of choice.
Nutrition — Per Serving
421
calories
49g
protein
24g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 5g
- Saturated fat
- 7.8g
- Sodium
- 115 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 1.0g
8 servings per batch · ~254g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Instant Pot Carnitas have per serving?
Each serving contains 49g of protein and 421 calories with 24g fat and just 5g carbs. This is a high-protein, low-carb option ideal for macro-conscious lifters.
How long does Instant Pot Carnitas take to make?
Quick prep designation with 8 servings per batch means you're getting 8 dinners ready in one cooking session on the stovetop. This scales to longer meal prep weeks without doubling active time.
Is Instant Pot Carnitas good for muscle gain?
At 49g protein per serving, Carnitas supports muscle gain goals when combined with other higher-carb meals to hit total daily carbs. The high fat content provides caloric density for bulking phases.
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