Name: Instant Pot Freezer Carnitas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 20 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 lb pork shoulder, cut into large chunks; 1 onion, quartered; 4 garlic cloves, smashed; 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp chili powder, 1½ tsp salt; Juice of 1 orange and 1 lime; (no extra liquid needed — the citrus and pork release plenty; add ½ cup broth if your pot needs it to reach pressure)

Serves: 8
Prep: 10 min (assembly)
Cook: 80 min + release
Storage: Freeze to Instant Pot
Freezer: up to 3 months

Carnitas from a frozen bag — pressure-cook, shred, and crisp under the broiler for the best texture.

Ingredients

4 lb pork shoulder, cut into large chunks
1 onion, quartered
4 garlic cloves, smashed
2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp chili powder, 1½ tsp salt
Juice of 1 orange and 1 lime
(no extra liquid needed — the citrus and pork release plenty; add ½ cup broth if your pot needs it to reach pressure)

Assembly & Freezing

Combine everything in a gallon freezer bag. Press flat and freeze. Good up to 3 months.

Cook from Frozen

Drop the frozen block into the Instant Pot (add ½ cup broth if needed to reach pressure).
Pressure cook on high for 80 minutes, then natural release for 15 minutes.
Shred, spread on a sheet pan, and broil 3–5 minutes for crispy edges. Spoon some juices back over.

Notes

No cilantro, per the household rules — extra lime brightens it. Great in tacos, burrito bowls, or the pork fried rice.

Equipment

gallon freezer bagInstant Potbroiler