Keto & Whole30-Compliant Carnitas Recipe

Whether you use the Instant Pot or a slow cooker, this recipe is a weeknight hero. Lots of bold spices like paprika, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne flavor a pork butt until it’s fall-apart tender and ready for dinner. Keto-friendly and Whole30-compliant, this pot of carnitas will satisfy the whole family. (Don’t be surprised if everyone wants seconds.)

Instant Pot Carnitas

Yield: 5 to 6 servings
Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients:
1 ½ teaspoons Thrive Market Organic Paprika
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Ground Pepper
¼ teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Cayenne Pepper
1 (32-ounce) Thrive Market Boneless Boston Pork Butt
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 cup water
Juice from 3 limes

Toppings:
Butter lettuce
Sliced avocado
Chopped cilantro
Sliced red onion
Sliced radishes

Instructions:
Combine the spices in a small bowl, then rub spice mixture all over the pork. Add onions to the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Add water, then lime juice. Place pork on top of the onions. Lock the lid in place and turn pressure valve to “sealing.” Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then quick release. Use two forks to shred pork. To serve, add pork to butter lettuce leaves and top with avocado slices, chopped cilantro, red onion, and radishes.

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Yield: 5 to 6 servings
Active time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 hours

Ingredients:
1 ½ teaspoons Thrive Market Organic Paprika
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Ground Cumin
½ teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Ground Pepper
¼ teaspoon Thrive Market Organic Cayenne Pepper
1 (32-ounce) Thrive Market Boneless Boston Pork Butt
1 large yellow onion, sliced
1 cup water
Juice from 3 limes

Toppings:
Butter lettuce
Avocado slices
Chopped cilantro
Sliced red onion
Sliced radishes

Instructions:
Combine the spices in a small bowl, then rub spice mixture all over the pork. Add onions to the inner pot of the pressure cooker. Add water, then the lime juice. Place pork on top of the onions. Lock the lid in place and set pressure valve to venting. Cook for 8 to 10 hours on low heat. Use two forks to shred pork. To serve, add pork to butter lettuce leaves and top with avocado slices, chopped cilantro, red onion, and radishes.
Recipes by: Angela Gaines

For more, check out our ultimate guide to the keto diet!