10+ Keto Carnitas Recipes for Delicious Low-Carb Meals

Keto carnitas are a delicious and satisfying choice for anyone following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. These recipes deliver tender, flavorful pork that can be enjoyed in various ways, making them perfect for tacos, salads, or bowls. If you’re looking to spice up your meal planning, exploring different keto carnitas recipes can be a great way to diversify your menu.

Cooking carnitas at home allows you to control the ingredients and flavors, ensuring a healthy and tasty dish. With options for slow cooking and Instant Pot methods, making keto carnitas is simple and convenient. You can easily prepare a batch to enjoy throughout the week.

1) Slow Cooker Keto Carnitas

Slow cooker keto carnitas are a great way to enjoy tender and flavorful pulled pork. This dish is perfect for tacos, salads, or bowls.

You start by seasoning a pork shoulder with spices. Then, place it in your slow cooker with some broth for moisture. Cook on low for about 8 hours, or until the meat is tender.

After cooking, shred the meat with forks. Broil it for a few minutes to get a nice crispy layer on top. This step adds great texture!

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Juice of 1 lime

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork shoulder with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the pork in the slow cooker and add chicken broth.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours.
4. Shred the pork with forks.
5. Broil the shredded meat for 5-7 minutes to crisp it up.

2) Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork

Making Instant Pot Mexican Pulled Pork is quick and easy. This dish is perfect for tacos or served with your favorite sides. You’ll love how tender and flavorful it turns out.

Start by seasoning your pork with spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. You can also add salt and chili powder for a kick.

Place the seasoned pork in the Instant Pot with some broth or water. Cook on high pressure for about 20 minutes. Once done, let it release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release.

To get a crispy texture, you can broil it in the oven for a few minutes. Enjoy your delicious pulled pork!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup broth or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork with spices.
2. Place the pork in the Instant Pot.
3. Add broth or water.
4. Seal the lid and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes.
5. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
6. Broil in the oven for a few minutes for crispiness.

3) Crispy Low-Carb Carnitas

Crispy low-carb carnitas make for a delicious and satisfying meal. You’ll enjoy the tender pork with crispy edges, perfect for tacos or just on their own.

Start by seasoning pork with spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Cook it slowly to get that tender texture, then broil it quickly to get those crispy bits on top.

This method ensures you have the best of both worlds: juicy meat and satisfying crunch. You can customize the seasoning to suit your taste.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs (1.4 kg) pork shoulder
• 1 tbsp (15 g) cumin
• 1 tbsp (15 g) chili powder
• 1 tsp (5 g) garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh lime juice

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the pork with spices and lime juice.
3. Cook in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours or until tender.
4. Shred the pork and place it on a baking sheet.
5. Broil for 5-7 minutes until crispy. Enjoy!

4) Paleo-Friendly Pork Carnitas

Paleo-friendly pork carnitas are a delicious way to enjoy a classic dish. You can make these tender bites using simple, clean ingredients. They are perfect for tacos or as a topping for salads.

To make your carnitas, start with pork shoulder. This cut is flavorful and becomes tender when cooked slowly. You can choose to use either a slow cooker or an Instant Pot for your meal.

For seasoning, use salt, cumin, garlic powder, and lime juice. These flavors come together beautifully. Cook the pork until it is easily shredded.

For a crispy finish, broil the meat for a few minutes after cooking. This step adds a nice texture for your dish.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Juice of 2 limes

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub the pork with salt and spices.
2. Place the pork in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
3. Add lime juice and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
4. Shred the pork with two forks.
5. Broil for 5-10 minutes at 400°F (200°C) for crispy edges.

5) Caramelized Keto Carnitas

Caramelized Keto Carnitas are a tasty twist on a classic dish. These carnitas are tender, juicy, and have a delicious crispy edge. You’ll love the rich flavor that comes from slow cooking and then broiling the meat.

To start, you can use pork shoulder or butt for the best results. Season it with spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic for added taste.

After cooking, broil the carnitas until they are golden and crispy. This caramelization brings out a great depth of flavor.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder or butt
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Juice of 2 limes

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Place in a slow cooker on low for 8 hours or in an Instant Pot for 60 minutes.
3. Shred the meat after cooking.
4. Preheat the broiler to 450°F (232°C).
5. Spread the shredded meat on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil and lime juice.
6. Broil for 5-7 minutes until crispy and caramelized.

6) Fresh Mexican Carnitas Bowl

A Fresh Mexican Carnitas Bowl is a tasty way to enjoy hearty flavors while sticking to your keto meal plan. You will love the combination of slow-cooked pork carnitas with fresh ingredients.

Start with shredded carnitas as the base. Add refried beans for protein and creaminess. Then, layer in diced avocados, sliced jalapeños, and fresh lime wedges for a burst of flavor.

Don’t forget to sprinkle pickled onions on top. They add a nice tang that complements the dish perfectly. Enjoy this colorful and nutritious bowl for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

• Shredded pork carnitas
• Refried beans
• Diced avocados
• Sliced jalapeños
• Pickled onions
• Lime wedges

Cooking Instructions

1. Prepare the pork carnitas by slow-cooking until tender.
2. Warm the refried beans.
3. Layer the ingredients in a bowl starting with carnitas.
4. Top with avocado, jalapeños, pickled onions, and lime.

7) Flavorful Whole30 Pork Carnitas

To make flavorful Whole30 pork carnitas, you’ll start with a boneless pork shoulder. This cut is perfect for slow cooking and gets really tender. Use spices like chili powder and cumin to bring out great flavors.

You can cook these carnitas in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. If you choose the Instant Pot, it takes less time, but both methods keep the meat juicy and tasty.

After cooking, shred the pork and enjoy it in tacos or bowls. You can also add your favorite toppings to enhance the meal.

Ingredients

• 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub the pork shoulder with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
2. Heat olive oil in your pot and sear the pork on all sides.
3. Cook in the slow cooker on low for 8 hours or in the Instant Pot on high for 60 minutes.
4. Shred the pork and serve as desired.

8) Juicy Fall-Apart Carnitas

Juicy fall-apart carnitas are a delicious dish that many love. With the right cooking method, you can achieve tender, flavorful pork that melts in your mouth.

Using a slow cooker allows the meat to cook gently, soaking up all the spices. You can also choose to use an Instant Pot for faster results while still keeping that juicy texture.

A perfect blend of seasonings enhances the natural flavor of the pork. Opt for spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic to elevate your carnitas.

Broiling them for a few minutes at the end gives a crispy finish that complements the tenderness.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Juice of 2 limes

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub the pork shoulder with salt, cumin, oregano, and garlic.
2. Place it in the slow cooker with chopped onion and lime juice.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
4. Shred the meat with two forks.
5. Broil on high for 5-7 minutes to crisp the edges.

9) Easy Keto Carnitas Tacos

Making easy keto carnitas tacos is a fantastic way to enjoy a delicious meal. These tacos are packed with flavor and are simple to prepare. You can use a variety of toppings to customize them to your taste.

Start with tender carnitas as your base. You can make them in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. Once they’re cooked, shred the meat for easy assembly.

For the taco shells, use lettuce leaves as a low-carb option. Fill them with carnitas and add toppings like avocado, cheese, and salsa. You can mix and match flavors to find your favorites.

Whether for dinner or a casual lunch, these tacos are sure to please.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of pork shoulder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Lettuce leaves for taco shells
• Optional toppings: avocado, cheese, salsa

Cooking Instructions

1. Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
2. Season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours in a slow cooker or use the pressure cook function for 60 minutes in an Instant Pot.
4. Shred the meat once cooked.
5. Serve in lettuce leaves with your favorite toppings.

10) Tender Keto Pulled Pork

Tender Keto Pulled Pork is a simple and delicious dish that fits perfectly into your keto diet. Using pork shoulder, you can create a flavorful meal that’s juicy and easy to shred.

To start, season your pork shoulder with spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. This will give it a rich taste.

You can cook it in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. For the Instant Pot, set it to high pressure for about 60 minutes. If you’re using a slow cooker, cook it on low for 6-8 hours until it’s fork-tender.

Once done, shred the pork, and broil it for a few minutes to achieve a crispy texture.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 2 tsp cumin
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork with spices.
2. Cook in the Instant Pot on high for 60 minutes. You can also cook it in a slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
3. Shred the pork once tender.
4. Broil for a few minutes until crispy.