These 21 Day Fix Carnitas are healthy, simple to prepare in an Instant Pot or Crock Pot, and incredibly flavorful. Use them in burrito bowls, tacos, salads, or however you like.
I’m a little obsessed with Chipotle’s pork carnitas and wanted to recreate a clean, healthier copycat version you can make at home.
My version keeps things 21 Day Fix friendly by trimming excess fat and using a salt-free adobo spice blend. It’s flexible — cook low and slow in a Crock Pot for tender shreddable pork, or speed things up in the Instant Pot with equally delicious results.
These carnitas are savory, slightly smoky, and perfect for meal prep. Make a double batch to freeze or to build several meals for the week: burrito bowls with rice, beans and pico; crispy tacos topped with shredded cabbage and lime; or warmed over a fresh green salad. The garlic-stuffed slits in the pork infuse the meat with flavor from the inside out, while the seasoning creates that familiar chipotle-style profile without excess salt or added sugars.
Crock Pot Pork Carnitas recipe
21 Day Fix Crock Pot Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2–3 lb pork shoulder, fat trimmed off (use 2 lb for Instant Pot)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1–2 teaspoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (optional, for more heat and smokiness)
Salt-free adobo spice mix:
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
Crock Pot method
- Trim all visible fat off the pork to keep the recipe 21 Day Fix friendly.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat and brown the pork on all sides. Browning develops flavor, so don’t skip this step.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board, let it cool slightly, then make several small slits in the meat with a sharp knife. Stuff the slits with the sliced garlic so the garlic roasts inside the pork.
- Rub the salt-free adobo spice mix evenly over the pork. If using, spread the chipotle in adobo (start with 1 teaspoon) across the surface for added smokiness.
- Place the seasoned pork in the Crock Pot and pour the chicken broth into the bottom of the pot.
- Cook on low for about 10 hours, until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Remove the pork, shred with two forks, and return to the slow cooker to soak in the juices for a few minutes before serving.
Instant Pot / Pressure cooker method
- Trim the fat and set the Instant Pot to sauté. Add the olive oil and brown the pork on all sides (about 8–10 minutes total). Browning is important for depth of flavor.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board, cool slightly, then make small slits and stuff with sliced garlic.
- Rub the pork with the adobo spice blend and, if desired, a teaspoon or two of chopped chipotle in adobo.
- Place the pork in the Instant Pot, pour in the chicken broth, and secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
- After the program ends, allow a 15-minute natural pressure release, then carefully vent any remaining pressure.
- Shred the pork and mix with the cooking juices before serving.
Notes
21 Day Fix: 1 RED, 1 tsp (for the chipotle/adobo if used).
WW Freestyle: About 6 points per 4 oz of cooked pork (estimate; check your tracking app for exact values).
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 297 kcal — Carbohydrates: 5 g — Protein: 29 g — Fat: 17 g — Saturated Fat: 5 g — Sodium: 131 mg — Fiber: 1 g
- Build a burrito bowl with brown rice, black beans, pico de gallo, lettuce and a squeeze of lime.
- Serve in warmed corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, cilantro and a drizzle of salsa verde.
- Top a salad with shredded carnitas, avocado slices and a light lime vinaigrette.
If you’re doing a 21 Day Fix round and would like support, consider joining a challenge group or finding a coach who can offer meal plans, grocery lists, and motivation. These carnitas are an easy way to add satisfying, protein-forward meals to your plan. Enjoy!