Best Pork Carnitas Recipes

SLOW-COOKER PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Add the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, cloves, and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large slow cooker and whisk to combine. Add the onion, garlic and bay leaves and stir to combine. Add the pork and toss to coat. Cover and cook on high until the meat is tender, about 5 hours.
• Transfer the pork to a large bowl with a slotted spoon and discard the bay leaves, onion, and garlic. Shred the pork into bite-size pieces with 2 forks, leaving some larger chunks, and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the lard in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the shredded pork and press down into an even layer with a spatula. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until crisped and browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons lard and shredded pork.
• Serve with tortillas, cilantro, jalapenos and pickled red onions.
• Put the sliced onions in a medium heatproof, nonreactive bowl. Put the vinegar, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, sugar, coriander and 1 tablespoon kosher salt in a small saucepan and whisk to combine. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Pour the mixture over the red onions and set aside until cooled to room temperature. Serve at room temperature or cover and refrigerate up to 4 days.

CRISPY PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Remove fat from pork; cut pork meat into 2-inch cubes and roughly chop fat.
• Mix pork, garlic, olive oil, orange peel, orange juice, salt, bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and 5-spice powder together in a bowl until pork is coated completely. Transfer mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and cover baking dish tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pork is fork-tender, about 3 1/2 hours.
• Set oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Transfer meat to a colander set over a bowl. Remove garlic, bay leaves, and orange peels from baking dish and pour accumulated juices from the baking dish over meat in colander into the bowl. Return meat to the baking dish and drizzle accumulated juices over each piece of meat.
• Cook meat under the preheated broiler for 3 minutes. Drizzle more accumulated juices over meat and continue broiling until crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer pork to a serving plate and drizzle more accumulated juices over the top.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Set a multi-cooker to the Saute setting and add the oil.
• Sprinkle the cubed pork generously with salt and pepper. Sear the pork in batches on all sides until well browned. Remove to a plate, add the onions and poblanos and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the oregano, cumin, chile powder and garlic and continue to cook for an additional minute.
• Add the lemon-lime soda and orange zest and juice. Return the pork pieces and any liquid that is on the plate to the multi-cooker. Cover and position the vent to the Sealing setting. Set the multi-cooker for High Pressure, use the Manual button to adjust the cook time to 25 minutes and cook. When the time is up, allow the multi-cooker to sit for an additional 10 minutes.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Carefully release the remaining pressure by switching the vent to Venting. Let the steam vent until the float valve has dropped, then remove the lid. Remove the pork mixture with a slotted spoon to a baking sheet and shred the pork with 2 forks.
• Place the baking sheet under the broiler and crisp the carnitas for 2 to 3 minutes. (Watch carefully to prevent burning.) Remove from the oven, ladle some of the juices from the pot over the carnitas and carefully toss. Serve alongside the warm tortillas with peach salsa, Easy Queso and fresh cilantro leaves.
• Combine the cheese, the whole can of tomatoes and chiles and the jar of pimientos with their liquid in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted, 5 to 7 minutes.

SLOW COOKER MEXICAN PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Turn a large slow cooker to High. Pour chicken stock into the cooker and place pork loin in the center. Season pork with adobo, cumin, pepper, and paprika. Place onion, chipotle paste, and bay leaves in the stock around the pork. Place tomatoes and garlic on top of the pork, and squeeze limes directly over top, allowing pulp to fall into the slow cooker. Sprinkle with cinnamon and cloves.
• Use a spoon to baste stock over the pork loin, then sprinkle entire surface evenly with cilantro.
• Cover and cook on High until pork is slightly pink in the center, about 6 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Use a fork to shred pork.

PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• Tie the thyme sprigs together with kitchen twine; combine the pork, garlic, bay leaves and thyme bundle in a large Dutch oven. Add the vegetable oil, lime juice, orange juice, 1 cup water and 2 teaspoons salt and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low; cover and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
• Uncover the pot and continue simmering, stirring once or twice, until the pork is tender, about another 1 hour, 15 minutes. Increase the heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is mostly evaporated, about 35 more minutes. Discard the thyme bundle and bay leaves, then increase the heat to medium high so the pork starts to fry. Cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the pork is golden brown and crisp in spots, about 10 more minutes. Serve in tortillas with assorted toppings.
• Combine 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon each coriander seeds, mustard seeds and cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan. Boil 2 minutes; let cool.

BRAISED PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Heat a large, cast iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season pork shoulder with garlic, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place pork shoulder fat-side down into the hot pot and sear until deep golden brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add yellow onion to cook with rendered drippings for 1 minute. Slowly pour in pork stock to cover pork shoulder.
• Bring to a light boil; cover and braise until fork-tender, 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
• Transfer to a bowl and shred into carnitas, adding 1 1/2 cups of pork stock for moisture and more salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions and cook until slightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Heat corn tortillas in the hot skillet on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes total for each tortilla. Place braised pork into tortillas and garnish with cabbage, queso fresco, salsa, green onions, and a squeeze of lime.

ORANGE AND MILK-BRAISED PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Season pork with pepper and salt.
• Heat oil in large pot over high heat. Working in batches, cook pork in the hot oil until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Return all cooked pork and accumulated juice to pot.
• Season pork with bay leaves, cumin, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Stir in fresh orange juice, orange zest, and milk. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until meat is fork tender but not falling apart, about 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Remove pork from liquid. Skim some fat from the pot to grease a baking dish. Transfer the pieces of pork to the baking dish. Drizzle about 2 more tablespoons of the floating fat over the meat. Season with more salt, if needed.
• Bake in preheated oven until pork is browned, about 15 minutes. Stir pork.
• Turn on oven's broiler. Cook pork under broiler until crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.

CARNITAS EASY SHREDDED PORK

Steps:

• In a pan heat oil then add the last 6 ingredients and cook over medium heat till softened about 20 minutes. Stirring every couple minutes.
• Mix in shredded pork.
• This can be made ahead up three month in freezer container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
• Fill your favorite wraps, corn or flour tortillas or tacos garnish as you please with sour cream, salsa, avocado -- .

CARNITAS: BRAISED AND FRIED PORK

Steps:

• Put all the ingredients in a wide 6-to 7-quart heavy pot (don't worry if the pork is not completely covered) and bring the water to a boil, skimming the surface as necessary. Lower the heat and simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and the liquid has completely evaporated, 1½ to 2 hours. Discard the orange pieces and bay leaves. If the liquid hasn't evaporated after 2 hours, transfer the pork pieces to a bowl and let the liquid continue to bubble away, stirring often, until it has.
• Preheat the oven to 450°F. Transfer the pork and fat to an ovenproof dish, if necessary, and brown the pork, uncovered, in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes. There's no need to stir.
• Carnitas keeps in the refrigerator for up to three days.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the pork shoulder. Salt and pepper liberally. Mix the oregano and the cumin with olive oil and rub all over pork. 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. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 hours.
• Once the meat is tender, remove from slow cooker and let cool slightly before pulling apart with a fork. In a large saute pan, heat the vegetable oil over high heat. Press the carnitas into the oil and fry until crusty on one side. Serve.

EASY PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Trim excess fat from pork shoulder and cut pork into 2-inch cubes. Season with salt and pepper on all sides.
• Heat a cast iron braiser over medium-high heat. Pour oil into the pot and brown pork on all sides, about 10 minutes. Cover with the lid.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pork is crispy on the outside and soft, but fully cooked, on the inside, about 1 hour.

PORK CARNITAS

Steps:

• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine pork, lime juice, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour; stir. Reduce heat to low and cook 8-10 hours longer or until meat is tender., Shred pork with two forks. Spoon about 1/3 cup pork mixture down the center of each tortilla. Top with cheese, avocados, tomatoes, onion, lettuce and, if desired, cilantro. Fold in bottom and sides of tortillas. Serve with salsa. Freeze option: Before adding toppings, freeze cooled shredded meat mixture in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little broth or water if necessary. Serve as directed.

SOUS VIDE CARNITAS FOR TACOS (CRISPY MEXICAN-STYLE PULLED PORK) RECIPE

Steps:

• Combine pork, onion, garlic, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves in a large bowl. Split orange into quarters and squeeze juice into bowl before adding rest of orange. Season generously with kosher salt and toss to combine. Transfer contents to a vacuum bag and seal. When ready to cook, set sous vide cooker to desired temperature according to chart above. Add bag to sous vide bath and cook for recommended time according to chart above. Make sure to top water up occasionally as it evaporates, and keep bag completely submerged. If bag floats, weigh it down by placing a wet kitchen towel on top of it. Alternatively, use a heavy-duty binder clip to attach a metal spoon or knife to bottom of bag as a weight. When meat is cooked, remove from water bath and transfer contents of bag to a large bowl. Pick out chunks of meat with a set of tongs and transfer them to a rimmed baking sheet. (Discard aromatics and excess liquid, or reserve liquid and blend it in with your salsa.) When it is cool enough to handle, shred meat roughly using 2 forks or your fingers. Spread evenly over baking sheet. Pork can be prepared up to this point and refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 5 days before serving. When ready to serve, adjust an oven rack to 3 inches below the broiler element and preheat broiler to high. Place pork under broiler and cook, using a spoon to flip pieces occasionally, until meat is browned and crisp on most sides, about 10 minutes total. Alternatively, working in batches, heat carnitas in a cast iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, about 10 minutes. Serve carnitas with warm tortillas, lime wedges, chopped onion and cilantro, and salsa.

BEST PORK CARNITAS EVER

Steps:

• Cut up your pork roast into 1 to 2 inch chunks (Don't trim the fat it will render in final part of cooking) and put it in a large pot. Add the cup of orange juice and your seasonings. Add enough water to just cover the meat (it's ok if it's not completely covered). Bring it to a simmer and let it simmer uncovered for 2 hours. I know you'll be tempted but DO NOT stir or touch the meat during these 2 hours. You should have enough water/juice in the pot that by the end of the 2 hours you will be down to about an inch or less of liquid. When you get to this point turn the heat up to medium high and chop and stir it around until the liquid evaporates and your pork is a mixture of something between chunks and shredded. I like to let it brown up a bit even. That's it, you're done! The best pork ever and the flavor is simple enough that you can do pretty much anything with the meat.

CARNITAS FLAUTAS (PORK ROLLED TACOS)

Steps:

• Place pork roast into the bottom of a slow cooker. Cover pork with red salsa, garlic, chili powder, and salt.
• Cover the slow cooker and cook on Low until tender and cooked through, 4 to 6 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 145 degrees F (63 degrees C).
• Turn off slow cooker. Remove any fat from pork and discard. Transfer pork to a large bowl and shred well using 2 forks. Let cool at least 10 minutes.
• Pour olives, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, and green salsa over pork. Mix well until thick and not runny.
• Warm tortillas in a skillet over low heat to soften, 15 to 20 seconds per side.
• Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large frying pan.
• Add a spoonful of pork mixture to each tortilla and roll up tightly. Place rolled tortillas in hot oil and fry until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Keep warm and serve with remaining 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and guacamole.

PORK CARNITAS WITH CILANTRO TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut pork into 1 inch cubes; season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven. Add pork, onions, garlic powder, chili powder and chipotle chile powder; saute 3 to 5 minutes to brown the meat.
• Add enough water to barely cover pork. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to simmer an additional 45 minutes or until liquid has evaporated.
• Combine chopped tomatillos, tomatoes and cilantro in a small bowl.
• Place an equal amount of pork on each tortilla. Top with tomatillo salsa.

MEXICAN PORK ROAST &/OR CROCKPOT CARNITAS

Steps:

• If preparing as a roast:.
• Place roast in a bowl large enough to hold it plus several cups of liquid (marinade).
• Grind/blend together all ingredients (except jalapenos and pork) in a blender, immersion blender, mini chopper, or food processor. When mixed and well-blended, pour over pork. The marinade should almost cover the pork- if it doesn't, add more OJ and milk until it's almost covered.
• Cover and marinate the pork in the fridge for 12-24 hours. Turn every few hours.
• When ready to cook the piggy, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place pork in a greased (or PAM'd) roasting pan (I sometimes use a roasting rack inside a pan) with the fatty side UP.
• Bake pork at 400 until the top gets crispy and brown.
• Once the top has browned, cover the roast with foil and place back in the oven. Depending on how you like to cook your meat, you could lower the temp slightly for a longer cooking time.
• Baste the roast every 30 minutes or so to help infuse it with deliciousness (optional).
• Cooking time will vary widely depending on the size of your roast. I usually get a 10-lb roast, which takes 2-3 hours usually to cook.
• Once your roast is at your ideal temp (145*-160*), take from the oven.
• If you'd like to serve it as a roast now, let it rest for 15 or 20 minutes and then slice it. It will be fairly tender but should hold together well for slicing.
• Leftovers freeze well! Just throw any leftovers (including the bone) into the crockpot on low with a few sliced jalapenos, shred with 2 forks, and you'll have carnitas! I serve my carnitas with pan-fried corn tortillas, chopped red onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge.
• ***If you're planning on starting this in the crockpot for Carnitas, you will not need to add the whole amount of liquids. This roast is very fatty and will create a lot of its own juice. Pour the marinade in to the crock, leaving 3 or 4 inches clear at the top. Add sliced jalapenos (if desired). Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until cooked and falling apart. Shred with 2 forks, throw the bone away, and enjoy!***.

EASY CARNITAS (PULLED PORK)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, mix pork, orange zest/peel, cumin (to your taste), and salt to taste. Place seasoned pork in large rectangular baking pan and top with onions.
• Bake covered with aluminium paper for about 1 hr 45 minutes. During the cooking time, about every 30 mins or so, check on the pork and turn to prevent the pork from burning. To creat a crispy texture to pork, bake in oven 15 min more UNCOVERED and turn once so that all sides get crispy texture.
• Shred and serve with warm tortillas.

PORK CARNITAS TACOS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or heavy straight-sided skillet, cover pork with 1/2 inch water and bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high. Cook, turning pieces occasionally, until water evaporates, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and continue to cook, turning pieces frequently, until crisp and browned on all sides, about 12 minutes. Serve carnitas with tortillas, onion, cilantro, guacamole (if desired), and lime wedges.

MEXICAN PULLED PORK-CARNITAS(ATK)

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F Trim the pork roast to remove most of the fat (leave some on); cut into 2″x2″ cubes. Place into an oven safe saucepan or Dutch oven along with the onion, orange, lime juice, bay leaves, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and water. Place on the stove over medium-high heat and bring up to a full simmer, stirring occasionally. Place a lid on the saucepan and move it to the middle lower rack of your oven. Bake at 300F for 2 hours, or until pork is fork tender (if you poke it with a fork, it easily slides off the fork). Remove the pan from the oven and turn the oven to broil. Using a slotted spoon, move the pork into a bowl and strain the liquid, placing it back into the pan for a glaze. Reduce the liquid over medium-high heat until the liquid reduces to about one cup.
• Using two forks, pull each chunk of pork into two pieces, placing them back into the bowl. Toss with the reduced glaze to coat all pieces evenly; season with salt and pepper to taste. Place a baking rack onto a rimmed cookie sheet or a baking pan with raised sides (to contain any liquids). Place pork chunks onto the baking rack so that the juices will drip onto the baking sheet, about 1″ apart. Put the baking sheet back into the oven on the lower-middle rack and allow to broil for 5-8 minutes, or until the meat starts to crisp on the top. Remove from the oven, flip all pork pieces, and place back in the oven to broil for an additional 5-8 minutes on the second side, or until edges are crisp but not burned.
• Remove the meat from the oven. Squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top and give it a sprinkle of salt. Serve with warm flour tortillas, guacamole, minced red onion, cilantro, salsa and sour cream. The result: pulled pork so tender it melts in your mouth, with crispy broiled edges that will make your heart sing. The addition of fresh lime juice and salt at the end really perks it up. Leftover pork (if there is any) would be awesome as a filling for enchiladas, tamales, or burritos.