
Classic Pork Carnitas
Tender, juicy, and irresistibly crispy — these classic Mexican carnitas are slow-braised in a fragrant citrus-lard bath until fall-apart soft, then crisped under the broiler for those signature golden, caramelized edges. This is the real deal: no shortcuts on flavor, but completely approachable for a home cook. Perfect for tacos, burritos, rice bowls, or piled high on a plate with all the fixings.
8 servings · Prep 20 min · Cook 120 min · Total 140 min
Main Course
Ingredients
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4 lb boneless pork shoulder (pork butt) cut into 3-inch chunks
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper freshly ground
1 cup fresh orange juice from about 2 large oranges
0.25 cup fresh lime juice from about 2 limes
0.5 cup water
1 medium white onion roughly chopped
6 cloves garlic smashed
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano preferably Mexican oregano
1 tsp chili powder
0.5 tsp smoked paprika
2 whole bay leaves
1 whole cinnamon stick
16 small corn tortillas warmed
1 medium white onion finely diced
1 bunch fresh cilantro roughly chopped
2 whole limes cut into wedges
1 medium avocado sliced or mashed
Equipment
Oven
Stovetop
Dutch Oven
Baking Sheet
Pot
Paper Towel
Fork
Broiler
Slotted Spoon
Lid
Jelly Roll (10x15)
Tongs
Cutting Board
Mixing Bowl (4 Quarts)
Dipping Fork
Instructions
- Preheat your #[Oven] to ![300°F]. Pat the @[Pork Shoulder] chunks completely dry with paper towels — this is key for good browning. Season all sides generously with @[Kosher Salt] and @[Black Pepper].
- Place the seasoned @[Pork Shoulder] pieces in a single layer in a large #[Dutch Oven] or heavy oven-safe #[Pot]. Add the @[Orange Juice], @[Lime Juice], and @[Water]. Scatter in the chopped @[Medium White Onion] and @[Garlic Smashed]. Sprinkle the @[Cumin], @[Oregano Preferably Mexican Oregano], @[Chili Powder], and @[Smoked Paprika] evenly over the top. Nestle in the @[Bay Leaves] and @[Cinnamon Stick].
- Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer on the #[Stovetop] over ^[medium-high heat]. Once simmering, cover the #[Pot] tightly with a lid and transfer to the #[Oven]. Braise for ~[1 hour 30 minutes], until the @[Pork Shoulder] is completely tender and pulls apart easily with two forks.
- Remove the #[Pot] from the #[Oven]. Using #[Tongs] or a #[Slotted Spoon], transfer the @[Pork Shoulder] pieces to a large #[Baking Sheet], leaving the braising liquid in the #[Pot]. Discard the @[Bay Leaves] and @[Cinnamon Stick]. Place the #[Pot] with the braising liquid over ^[high heat] and boil, uncovered, for ~[8–10 minutes] until it reduces to a thick, syrupy glaze (about ½ cup). This concentrated liquid is liquid gold — don't skip this step.
- Use two forks to gently shred and pull the @[Pork Shoulder] into large, irregular chunks on the #[Baking Sheet] — don't over-shred, you want some bigger pieces for texture. Drizzle the reduced braising liquid over the @[Pork Shoulder] and toss to coat every piece.
- Switch your #[Oven] to ^[broil on HIGH]. Spread the @[Pork Shoulder] in an even layer on the #[Baking Sheet]. Broil on the top rack for ~[5–7 minutes], watching closely, until the edges are deeply golden brown and crispy. Use #[Tongs] to flip the larger pieces and broil for another ~[3–5 minutes] for extra crispiness on all sides.
- Taste the carnitas and adjust seasoning with a pinch of @[Kosher Salt] if needed. Serve immediately on warm @[Small Corn Tortillas Warmed] topped with diced @[Medium White Onion], fresh @[Cilantro], a squeeze of @[Limes], and your choice of salsa, @[Medium Avocado Sliced Or], or pico de gallo.
