Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas
This Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas delivers 84g protein and 769 calories per serving — the highest-protein recipe in our library for hitting maximum daily targets. Quick-preps 6 servings on the stovetop, making it your go-to batch meal for serious muscle-building phases. Built for anyone running a high-protein diet focused on consistent, measurable muscle gain.
Ingredients
- •Pork Loin(2268g)
- •fine sea salt and freshly-cracked black pepper
- •Avocado oil(15g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •For Serving: Chopped Fresh Cilantro, Diced White Or Red Onion, And/Or Fresh Salsa (I Used The Pineapple Salsa Recipe Included Below)
- •1 cup beer (or chicken stock)
- •Garlic(360g)
- •Orange Juice, Fresh(120g)
- •Lime Juice, Fresh(60g)
- •Cumin, Ground(15g)
- •Oregano, Dried(5g)
- •1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- •1/2 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
Instructions
- 1In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the mojo sauce ingredients until combined. Set aside until ready to use.
- 2Season pork chunks on all sides with salt and pepper.
- 3Click the “Sauté” setting on the Instant Pot. Add the oil, followed by half of the pork, and sear — turning every 45-60 seconds or so — until the pork is browned on all sides. Transfer pork to a separate clean plate, and repeat with the remaining pork, searing until it has browned on all sides. Press “Cancel” to turn off the heat.
- 4Pour in the mojo sauce, and toss briefly to combine with the pork. Close lid securely and set vent to “Sealing”.
- 5Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes, followed by a natural release (about 15 minutes).
- 6Set the oven broiler to high heat.
- 7Remove the lid of the Instant Pot. Shred the pork with two forks. Then transfer it with a slotted spoon to a large baking sheet. Spoon about a third of the leftover juices evenly on top of the pork and toss to combine. Broil for 4-5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, then half of the remaining juices from the Instant Pot evenly over the pork and toss to combine. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat even more crispy. Remove baking sheet from the oven, then ladle the remaining juices over the pork, and toss to combine.
- 8Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro, then serve warm in tacos, burritos, salads, or whatever sounds good to you! Or, refrigerate pork in a sealed container for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition — Per Serving
769
calories
84g
protein
39g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 24g
- Saturated fat
- 12.8g
- Sodium
- 167 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 2.0g
6 servings per batch · ~474g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
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How much protein does Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas have per serving?
Each serving delivers 84g of protein and 769 calories — one of the highest protein-per-serving totals on PrepForge. The macro breakdown is 39g fat and 24g carbs, giving you a complete meal designed around maximizing protein intake.
How long does Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas take to prep?
The recipe batch-preps 6 servings using quick prep methods on the stovetop, so you're getting multiple high-protein dinners from a single cook session. This is efficient for lifters who need consistent 80g+ protein meals throughout the week.
Is Instant Pot Crispy Carnitas good for muscle gain?
At 84g protein per serving, this recipe is specifically designed for muscle gain phases where hitting 180-200g daily protein is non-negotiable. The calorie density (769 cal) also supports the surplus needed for strength gains and hypertrophy.
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