Low Calorie Carnitas

These low calorie carnitas are just 167 calories and packed with 17.7g of protein.

Plus the healthy carnitas can be made in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, or on the stovetop!

You can use these carnitas recipes in soups, over salads and nachos. In quesadillas, and the best of all, in carnitas tacos!

Low Calorie Carnitas

Ingredients in Healthy Carnitas

The key to the best pork for carnitas recipe, is the seasoning for carnitas! In this section I will show you just how easy it is to make tacos carnitas with only 4 ingredients.

Use this recipe for pork taco recipe, or in your favorite soup. It adds a ton of flavor and a boost of protein. It’s easy and versatile, and with only a handful of ingredients, inexpensive too!

Shopping List for Healthy Carnitas:

• Pork loin 
• Jalapeños
• Garlic
• Limes
• Salt and pepper

How to Make Low Calorie Carnitas

You can make these healthy carnitas in the slow cooker, instant pot, or on the stovetop. I find all are extremely easy.

No matter how you make the recipe, reserve some of the liquid at the end. It is the key to keeping the meat tender and moist.

How to Make Skinny Carnitas:

Slow Cooker Directions:

1. Add the pork and the marinade to a slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours, or high heat for 5 hours.
3. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place on a plate. Use two forks to shred. Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup of the liquid as needed to the shredded pork to add moisture.

Instant Pot Directions:

1. Set the Instant Pot to “sauce” medium heat. Once it reads “hot” add the pork in batched until lightly browned, transferring the pork to a plate as you work.
2. Once the pork is all browned, shut off the Instant Pot, add in the marinade and scrape the bottom well so you don’t get a “Burn” message.
3. Add the pork back to the pot, along with any juices on the plate. Cover and cook on high pressure for 80 minutes.
4. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release of pressure.
5. Transfer the pork to a plate and shred. Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup of the liquid as needed to the shredded pork to add moisture.

Stovetop Directions:

• Add the pork and the marinade to a large pot.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 5 hours, until the pork is tender. 
• Remove the pork from the pot and place on a plate. Use two forks to shred. Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup of the liquid as needed to the shredded pork to add moisture.
• Serve hot.

Low Calorie Carnitas Recipe

Try this pulled pork in tacos, tamales, enchiladas. Over nachos or salads. In soups and even quesadillas.The possibilities are endless!

Each of the tacos shown in the photos are 99 calories. That consists of my Low Calorie Tortillas, 1/4 cup carnitas, and Low Calorie Pico de Gallo.

Nutrition and Calories in Carnitas

Low Sodium Tips: Remove the salt from the recipe and add the zest of 1 lime.

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Article History:

• Originally written and published September 18, 2020 by Audrey Johns
• Updated on September 14, 2023 by Audrey Johns