Pork Carnitas. Many find carnitas a little dry or flavorless. These have a great, distinctive flavor and are requested by friends and family over and over. Serve with warm, fresh tortillas and salsa.
Place the pork in a slow cooker and top with the onion, garlic, and jalapeno.
Squeeze over the juice of the orange and add the two halves.
Pork carnitas, a Mexican-style slow cooked pulled pork, are probably my absolute favorite street food.
You can cook Pork Carnitas using 12 ingredients and 8 steps. Here is how you achieve it.
Ingredients of Pork Carnitas
- Prepare 2 pounds of trimmed pork butt into 1 inch thick slices it is about 4-5 large slices (all slices should be even).
- It's 2 teaspoons of salt.
- It's 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
- Prepare 3 tablespoons of sugar.
- It's 11/2 teaspoons of dried oregano.
- It's 11/2 teaspoons of ground cumin.
- Prepare 1 of large white onion, cut into wedges.
- Prepare 1 head of garlic, smashed peeled and roughly chopped.
- Prepare 2 of limes, juiced.
- You need 1 cup of orange juice.
- You need 1 cup of chicken stock.
- You need 1 of bay leaves.
And they're so simple to make at home! This recipe can be done in a slow cooker or Instapot along with a taco bar for easy entertaining. Add the pork and toss to coat. Transfer the pork to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic.
Pork Carnitas instructions
- Mix the dry seasoning together then coat the 1 inch thick slices of pork..
- Mix together the lime juice, orange juice, chicken stock and pour over the pork. Let sit for 20 minutes..
- In a baking pan or Dutch oven add the onion, garlic and bay leaf, on the bottom and place the pork and pour liquid over on top..
- Cover and cook in a 350 degree oven for 2 hours or (until the meat falls apart)..
- Remove pork and shred with two forks (DO NOT DISCARD THE LIQUID!).
- Strain and save the liquid. (Note the onions and the garlic did taste good and you may want to eat them??).
- TO CRISP ON STOVE: Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a nonstick pan or cast iron skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add pork and sear until just beginning to crisp. Pour over about 1/2 cup of left over liquid, and continue cooking until the juices begin to reduce down and the meat is nice and crispy..
- TO SERVE: 1. Season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired. Pour over more of the juices once the meat has crisped for added flavor, just before serving! Serve in Tacos, Burritos, or in a salad!.
Carnitas originated in the state of Michoacan of Mexico, and in its most original and authentic form, is pork meat…fried in pork fat. These days, the famous Mexican dish is looking a little different in most kitchens, and the world's cholesterol levels are all too thankful for it. An Authentic Pork Carnitas Recipe that is completely addictive! First it cooks slowly in a crock pot, on the stove, or in your slow cooker before you put it into the oven to become crispy and caramelized. This Mexican pulled pork is the perfect filling for tacos, burritos or nachos.