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Tender, juicy, savory, fall-apart pork roast cooked in a slow cooker and browned in a cast iron pan, or baking sheet under the broiler. Tuck the carnitas into warm corn tortillas, or flour tortillas, and keep the toppings simple with diced white onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Pork Carnitas are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways. Whether you prefer them wrapped in warm tortillas with fresh salsa and guacamole or served alongside rice and beans, the options are endless. The beauty of carnitas lies in its ability to bring people together around the table, sharing not just a meal but a moment of joy and connection.

pork carnitas tacos

Ingredients

  • Boneless pork shoulder
  • Garlic cloves, minced
  • Spices – ground cumin, Mexican oregano, onion powder,
  • Oil – vegetable oil
  • Juice – orange juice, lime juice,
  • Broth – chicken broth
  • Veggies – onion, cilantro, and jalapeños
  • Corn tortillas

Why pork shoulder? In traditional preparation, carnitas utilizes pork shoulder, also referred to as pork butt, due to its elevated fat content. This fat plays a crucial role in maintaining the meat’s juiciness and tenderness during the cooking process.

How to Make Pork Carnitas

  • Place the pork shoulder into the slow cooker, and add chopped chile peppers, cumin, oregano, minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and broth. Turn on low (8-10) hours or high (4-6)hours. 
  • Let meat cool, then pull it apart with forks.
  • Preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. With a slotted spoon transfer the pork to the prepared baking sheets, spreading the pork in an even layer and leaving the juices behind in the slow cooker. Set aside juices.
  • Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the sheet from the oven, then ladle about 1/4 cup of the juices from the slow cooker evenly over the pork, and then give it a good toss with some tongs. 
  • Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional 1/4 cup of broth over the crispy pork. Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.   
  • Serve on two warm corn tortillas, or flour tortillas, and top with onions, cilantro, and guacamole.
shredding pork shoulder for carnitas

What to serve with Pork Carnitas 

Carnitas can be used not only for tacos, but for burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and more!

  • Carnitas can be served on the side with rice, refried beans, and a warm flour tortilla
  • Carnita rice bowl with guacamole
  • Carnitas wrapped in a flour tortilla with rice, black beans, and guacamole. Yum!
pork carnitas in flour tortilla

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Pork Carnitas

Eunice Huerta
Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork and can be used for tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and quesadillas.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Course dinner
Cuisine Mexican

Ingredients
  

  • 3 pounds of boneless pork shoulder
  • 4 garlic cloves 2 tsp minced
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano chile pepper diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 32 oz. Chicken broth
  • Diced onions and chopped cilantro
  • Optional: Limes pico de gallo, guacamole
  • 2 dozen Corn Tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Place pork roast into a slow cooker, add diced chile peppers, cumin, oregano, minced garlic,1 tbsp vegetable oil, orange juice, lime juice, and broth. Turn on low (8-10) hours or high (4-6)hours.
  • Let meat cool, then pull it apart with forks.
  • Preheat your broiler to high heat and prepare two baking sheets with aluminum foil. With a slotted spoon transfer pork to the prepared baking sheets, spreading the pork in an even layer and leaving the juices behind in the slow cooker. Set aside juices.
  • Place one sheet under the broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the edges of the pork begin browning and crisping up. Remove the sheet from the oven, then ladle about 1/4 cup of the juices from the slow cooker evenly over the pork, and then give it a good toss with some tongs. Broil for an additional 5 minutes to get the meat more crispy. Then remove and ladle an additional 1/4 cup of broth over the crispy pork. Repeat with the other baking sheet of pork.
  • Warm 2 corn tortillas, and place pork, diced onions, chopped cilantro, and guacamole. Enjoy!
Keyword pork carnitas, Mexican pulled pork, carnita tacos, crockpot carnitas recipe, pork carnitas
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