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Keto Instant Pot Carnitas Tacos
Rich, delicious, pork carnitas come together quickly, thanks to Instant Pot. Crisping it up in a skillet adds an additional layer of flavor and texture. Here it’s served on grab-and-eat butter lettuce “wrappers” with crunchy radish garnish. If you want even more punch, add your favorite hot sauce or pico de gallo. Need to up your fat intake? Add sour cream, avocado, or both, recalculating the macros accordingly. Note: this recipe requires the meat rest, salted, for at least 2 hours before cooking.
Servings: 8 One Serving: 4 oz pork, 2 lettuce cups, 1/2 radish
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
FOR THE CARNITAS
- 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder (pork butt), cut into 4 equal chunks
- 3 tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp brown granulated erythritol sweetener (we used Swerve brand)
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Some emerging research suggests that erythritol might increase the risk of blood clots, but more studies are needed to confirm this potential link. Whether you decide to use erythritol or not, remember that all sweeteners should be consumed in moderation, and your keto diet should primarily focus on nutritious whole foods. Learn more: Erythritol Explored: Weighing the Pros and Cons.
FOR THE TACOS
- 16 butter lettuce leaves (2 heads)
- 4 radishes, sliced thin
- your favorite hot sauce
Instructions
- Trim and discard any large pieces of fat from the pork. Cut the pork into 2-1/2-inch pieces. Season with two-thirds of the salt and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Place pork, sweetener, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and remaining salt in an Instant Pot. Toss everything together until well combined. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes.
- Release the pressure manually. Shred the pork with two forks.
- Working in batches, transfer the shredded pork and liquid to a large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat and cook, undisturbed, until underside is well browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Toss and continue cooking, tossing occasionally, until edges are crispy and caramelized, 5 to 6 minutes longer. Transfer each batch to a casserole dish. Cover with foil to keep warm and moist.
- To serve, transfer the meat to a large platter or individual plates. Serve with the lettuce leaves, radishes, and hot sauce on the side, if desired.
Nutritional Information - Macros
- 370 Calories
- 27 g Fat
- 25 g Protein
- 2 g Total Carbs
- 1 g Fiber
- 1 g Net Carbs
Tips
- Make-ahead: Carnitas can be made 2 days in advance, cooled to room temperature, then covered and refrigerated until use. To serve, reheat over low heat until the meat is warmed through.
- Make it a Taco Party! Surround the carnitas with the lettuce leaves, create a “garnish bar” loaded with toppings like chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lime wedges, and hot sauce, and let guests make their own taco creations.
- If you don’t have an Instant Pot, combine the ingredients plus 1 cup water in a baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake at 300°F (150°C) until the meat easily pulls apart with a fork, 3 to 4 hours. Then crisp the meat in a skillet as directed.