Experience the rich and savory flavors of pork carnitas with this delightful recipe. Slow-cooked to perfection, the pork shoulder becomes incredibly tender, absorbing the aromatic blend of spices and citrus juices. Whether you're planning a family dinner or a festive gathering, these carnitas are sure to impress. Serve them in tacos, burritos, or alongside your favorite sides for a truly satisfying meal.
When preparing this recipe, you might find that some ingredients are not typically stocked in your pantry. Pork shoulder is a specific cut of meat that provides the right amount of fat and flavor for carnitas, so be sure to pick it up at the supermarket. Additionally, fresh orange juice and lime juice are essential for the citrusy marinade, and you may need to purchase these separately if you don't have fresh fruits on hand.

Ingredients For Pork Carnitas Recipe
Pork shoulder: A flavorful cut of meat that becomes tender when slow-cooked.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the pork.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the dish.
Ground cumin: Provides an earthy, warm flavor typical in Mexican cuisine.
Dried oregano: Adds a subtle herbal note to the carnitas.
Chili powder: Introduces a mild spiciness and rich color.
Garlic: Infuses the dish with a robust, aromatic flavor.
Orange juice: Contributes a sweet and tangy element to the marinade.
Lime juice: Adds a zesty, refreshing acidity.
Chicken broth: Provides moisture and enhances the savory flavors.
Onion: Imparts a sweet and savory depth to the carnitas.
Technique Tip for Perfect Carnitas
When preparing pork shoulder for carnitas, consider marinating the meat overnight with the spices and citrus juices. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeper into the meat, enhancing the overall taste. Additionally, when shredding the pork, use two forks to achieve a fine texture, which will help the meat absorb the juices more effectively. For an extra layer of flavor, after broiling, sprinkle a bit of lime zest over the crispy edges to add a fresh, zesty note.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
pork shoulder - Substitute with beef chuck: Beef chuck is a flavorful cut that can be slow-cooked to achieve a similar tender texture as pork shoulder.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar level of saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor profile but is slightly milder.
ground cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander offers a warm, nutty flavor that complements the other spices well.
dried oregano - Substitute with dried thyme: Dried thyme has a similar earthy and slightly minty flavor that can replace oregano.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and a sweet peppery flavor, making it a good alternative to chili powder.
minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar garlic flavor, though it is less pungent.
orange juice - Substitute with pineapple juice: Pineapple juice offers a similar sweetness and acidity, adding a tropical twist to the dish.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar tartness and acidity, making it a suitable replacement for lime juice.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar savory base while keeping the dish suitable for vegetarians.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder onion flavor with a hint of garlic, making them a good substitute for onions.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Carnitas
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the pork carnitas to cool to room temperature. This ensures that condensation doesn't form inside the storage container, which could lead to soggy meat.
Transfer the shredded pork into an airtight container. If you have a lot of meat, consider dividing it into smaller portions. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need later.
Pour some of the juices from the pot over the pork before sealing the container. This keeps the meat moist and flavorful during storage.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the carnitas within 3 to 4 days. Make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent any odors from the fridge affecting the taste.
For longer storage, place the pork carnitas in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container or bag with the date of storage. This helps you keep track of how long the carnitas have been stored.
Freeze the pork carnitas for up to 3 months. Beyond this, the quality may start to degrade, although they will still be safe to eat.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the carnitas in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing process helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheat the pork in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or orange juice to refresh the flavors. For crispy edges, spread the pork on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop method: Place the pork carnitas in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist. Stir occasionally until heated through. For a crispy finish, let the liquid evaporate and allow the edges to crisp up slightly.
Oven method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the shredded pork evenly on a baking sheet. Cover with foil to retain moisture and heat for about 15-20 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you desire crispy edges.
Microwave method: Place the carnitas in a microwave-safe dish. Add a small amount of orange juice or lime juice to prevent drying out. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or wrap. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly warmed.
Slow cooker method: Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add a bit of chicken broth or orange juice to keep it juicy. Set to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the carnitas are hot and tender.
Air fryer method: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Spread the shredded pork in a single layer in the basket. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the carnitas are hot and slightly crispy.
Essential Tools for Making This Recipe
Dutch oven: A heavy-duty pot with a tight-fitting lid, perfect for slow-cooking the pork and retaining moisture.
Oven: Used to cook the pork at a low temperature for several hours, ensuring it becomes tender.
Stove: Needed to bring the mixture to a simmer before transferring it to the oven.
Baking sheet: Optional tool for spreading the shredded pork to broil and achieve crispy edges.
Fork: Essential for shredding the cooked pork into bite-sized pieces.
Knife: Used for quartering the onion and cutting the pork shoulder into chunks.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for accurately measuring out the salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and chili powder.
Measuring cup: Used to measure the orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth.
Time-Saving Tips for Pork Carnitas
Pre-cut the pork: Ask your butcher to cut the pork shoulder into chunks to save prep time.
Use a slow cooker: Instead of the oven, use a slow cooker to set and forget, freeing up your time.
Pre-mix spices: Combine salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and chili powder in advance.
Juice in bulk: Squeeze orange juice and lime juice ahead of time and store in the fridge.
Broil in batches: For crispy edges, broil shredded pork in batches to save time and ensure even crisping.

Pork Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork Shoulder cut into chunks
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 4 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup Orange Juice
- 1 cup Lime Juice
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 large Onion quartered
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a large Dutch oven, combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for about 4 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Remove the pork from the oven and shred the meat. Return the shredded pork to the pot and mix with the juices.
- Optional: For crispy edges, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes until crispy.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
I suggest you try these favourites too!
- Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe1 Hours
- Vegetarian Quesadillas Recipe25 Minutes
- Vegetable Ratatouille Recipe1 Hours
- Stuffed Bell Peppers With Quinoa Recipe45 Minutes
- Stuffed Bell Peppers With Quinoa And Veggies Recipe45 Minutes
- Spiced Carrot And Ginger Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Sautéed Vegetables Recipe25 Minutes
- Roasted Eggplant Recipe40 Minutes
- Quinoa And Vegetable Soup Recipe45 Minutes
- Mediterranean Vegetable Skewers Recipe30 Minutes
- Herbed Quinoa Salad Recipe30 Minutes
- Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Recipe25 Minutes
Leave a Reply