Description
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of homemade Carnitas, a classic Mexican dish featuring tender, slow-cooked pork. Infused with aromatic spices and zesty citrus, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing delight perfect for tacos, burritos, or festive gatherings. Whether you’re entertaining guests or enjoying a cozy family dinner, these Carnitas deliver unforgettable taste and texture that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks (about 4 inches) for even cooking.
- In a bowl, mix salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano. Coat the pork chunks generously with the spice mixture.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Transfer the pork to a slow cooker or Dutch oven; add orange juice and lime juice. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours until fork-tender.
- Preheat broiler. Shred the cooked pork on a baking sheet and drizzle with cooking juices. Broil for 5-7 minutes until crispy edges form.
- Serve with warm tortillas and desired toppings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup (120g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg