Pork Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 pound boneless pork butt
fat trimmed and cut into 2 inch cubes
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 onion
peeled and halved
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 Tb fresh lime juice
- 2 C water
- 1 medium orange
juiced and keep the spent halves
Directions
- 1
Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and heat to 300 degrees.
- 2
all the ingredients in a large Dutch oven, including the spent orange halves and juice.
- 3
Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, uncovered. Once it simmers, cover pot and transfer it to the oven. Cook until the meat falls apart when prodded with a fork, about 2 hours. You can also complete this step in a crock pot set on high for 6-7 hours. You will have more liquid to reduce in the next step however.
- 4
Remove the pot from the oven and turn on the broiler. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat from the pan and place it on a large foil-lined jelly roll pan.
- 5
and discard everything from the pot except for the cooking liquid. Place pot over high heat on the stove and boil until it thickens and syrupy, about 20 – 30 minutes. You should have about 1 C of liquid remaining when it is finished.
- 6
While the liquid is reducing, use two forks to pull each cube of pork into three equal sized pieces. Once the liquid has reduced, gently fold in the pieces of pork into the pot. Try not to break up the pork any further. Taste and add additional salt and pepper.
- 7
Spread the pork back onto the foil lined pan and evenly spread the meat around so there is a single layer of meat. Place the jelly roll pan on the lower middle rack of the oven and broil until the top of the meat is well browned and edges are slightly crisp, about 5 to 8 minutes. Using a wide metal spatula, flip the pieces of meat and broil the other side until well browned and edges are slightly crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Serve immediately in a tortilla with all your favorite toppings.
- 8
For Instant Pot Carnitas instructions click here
- 9
For Slow Cooker Carnitas instructions click here
Pork Carnitas Recipe
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 96 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving the deeply flavorful, tender pulled pork that makes authentic Mexican carnitas so irresistible? This beloved Pork Carnitas Recipe delivers that restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen, hailed as a favorite for a reason.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe stands out for its straightforward approach to achieving incredibly rich, melt-in-your-mouth pork. By slow-cooking boneless pork butt with a thoughtful blend of aromatic ingredients like onion, bay leaves, cumin, and oregano, you'll create a foundation of deep, savory flavor. The addition of fresh lime juice and a whole orange adds a subtle brightness and acidity that perfectly balances the richness, tenderizing the meat and contributing to that signature carnitas taste.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly satisfying culinary journey that results in the most tender, succulent pulled pork you can imagine. The pork butt, once cooked, will be incredibly easy to shred, ready to absorb all the wonderful juices it cooked in. You'll find the flavor profile to be robust, savory, and with a delicate citrus note that brightens each bite. This recipe is designed to produce a generous yield, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying throughout the week.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe is perfect as written, you can easily adapt it. For an extra layer of flavor, consider crisping the shredded carnitas in a hot pan after cooking. This creates delightful crispy bits that add wonderful texture. You can also experiment with different herbs or a pinch of chili powder if you enjoy a touch of heat, though the classic flavor is truly stellar.
Serving & Context
These authentic pork carnitas are incredibly versatile, making them ideal for a wide range of meals. Serve them in warm tortillas for classic tacos, pile them high on tortas, or incorporate them into burritos, quesadillas, or even a hearty breakfast hash. A squeeze of fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro are always welcome additions.