Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas

I tested a Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas recipe which resulted in succulent morsels of meat with crispy edges and rave reviews from my family! Flavored with subtle orange and lime undertones along with oregano, bay, and cumin, this combination makes an unforgettable pork recipe.

This Mexican Pulled Pork Recipe is delicious comfort food that’s equally as welcome for a family dinner as for company! Everyone loves this dish!

Why You Must Make

It’s hard to be an expert on a recipe you’re making for the first time, especially when you’ve never even tasted the dish. But traditional pork carnitas have been on my bucket list for a while, and this recipe did not disappoint.

• Cooked in their own fat, these tender morsels of seasoned pork developed delightfully crispy edges.
• Made with the cut of pork I prefer for my pulled pork, these slow-cooked carnitas get ridiculously tender and are amazing served as tacos.
• First cooked in a Dutch oven, then shredded and broiled to get browned, it’s impossible to resist this tender and crispy pork carnitas recipe!

Rolled into tortillas with your favorite toppings, this pork was transformed into the perfect summer fare.

Tips for Making Pork Carnitas

My inspiration was a Cook’s Illustrated pork carnitas recipe which called for slow cooking the pork in water infused with lime and orange juice along with oregano, cumin, and onion. When fork tender, these pork pieces were tossed in a reduction of the fat-laden (AKA extremely flavorful) juices, then broiled to get the classic crispy chunks of meat.

The word carnitas translates to “little meats” in Spanish. This Mexican dish originated in the state of Michoacán and is made by simmering pork in oil or lard, with the latter preferred.

• Traditional Mexican pork carnitas are cooked in lard, but this healthier recipe is cooked in its own fat.
• The flavors of orange, lime, onion, oregano, cumin, and bay help make up for the lack of lard. And it only takes minutes to throw together. Park it in a covered Dutch oven, slide it into the oven, and relax as it cooks away!
• Use a pork shoulder or pork butt for this recipe. It will be fall-apart tender after being slow-cooked and will shred like a dream.
• Once shredded, the succulent pork is broiled and then cooked into crispy pieces in the rendered pork fat!
• Serve this pork carnitas recipe with either corn or flour tortillas and all your favorite taco garnishes. You’ll go back for seconds, then thirds. Thinly sliced radishes are a classic accompaniment, but any of your favorite taco fixings will do.

My crew went with queso fresco (though Bill looked at it a bit suspiciously at first as he’s more of a cheddar guy) and salsa fresca while I piled on a little of everything. These slow-cooked pork carnitas were outstanding, trust me. The BEST entree I’ve made in ages!!!

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Recipe:

Pork Carnitas

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 2 hours 45 minutes

Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Yield 6 servings

Succulent slow cooked pork crisped up in the broiled before serving

Ingredients

• 3 ½ pounds boneless pork butt roast/pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 2 cups water
• 1 small onion, peeled and halved
• Juice of one lime
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 orange, cut in half
• Salt and pepper
• For serving: See list in notes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 300º.
2. Place the pork chunks into a Dutch oven. Add enough water to cover the pork and then add onion, garlic, lime juice, oregano, cumin, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and the juice from the orange along with the orange rinds.
3. Stir, then bring to a boil over medium heat.
4. Cover the pot and transfer to the lower middle rack of the oven. Cook for about 2-2½ hours or until the pork is fork tender.
5. Remove the orange rinds, onion, and bay leaves. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack over the sheet.
6. With a slotted spoon, remove the meat to a bowl. When cool enough to handle, break meat pieces in half, removing any excess fat. Set aside.
7. Place Dutch oven over high heat and cook for about 15 minutes, till the juices are reduced to about a cup, stirring frequently. Pour the sauce over the meat, season with salt and pepper, mix to combine, then spread over a wire rack.
8. Turn oven to broil and place pan on the lower-middle rack. Broil till meat is brown and crispy, about 5-8 minutes, then flip and broil the other side.
9. Serve while hot in tortillas with garnishes of your choice.

Notes

For serving: corn or flour tortillas, queso fresco, pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced avocado, minced red onion, sprigs of cilantro, fresh lime wedges, sliced radishes, sour cream.

Adapted from Cook's Illustrated

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 979Total Fat: 67gSaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 36gCholesterol: 263mgSodium: 502mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gSugar: 5gProtein: 73g

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