Description
This easy carnitas recipe creates juicy, tender, and flavorful shredded pork that can be made in the oven or a slow cooker. Perfect for tacos, burritos, bowls, and more.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless pork shoulder (also called pork butt), trimmed of excess fat and cut into large chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
- 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (if using oven method).
- Combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub spice mixture over pork chunks.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear on all sides until browned. Do this in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Once all pork is seared, return it to the pot. Add chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, onion, garlic, and jalapeño (if using).
- Cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 3 to 3 ½ hours, until pork is tender and shreds easily. For slow cooker, cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
- Remove pork from the pot and shred using two forks. Skim and discard fat from the cooking liquid.
- Optional: Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 3 to 5 minutes to crisp up the edges. Drizzle with some cooking liquid before serving.
Notes
- Leftover carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.
- Great for tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, or enchiladas.
- For extra crispy carnitas, broil after shredding and drizzle with cooking juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven or Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
