5 from 175 votes
Carnitas
Carnitas is a slow-cooked pork shoulder recipe seasoned with chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic, simmered with onions and citrus juices until tender. The meat is shredded and optionally crisped under a broiler to add texture. Carnitas make a flavorful filling for tacos, paired well with traditional sides like Mexican rice and refried beans.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 hrs
Total Time
5 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
8
Calories:
230 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 4-5 lb pork shoulder
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 4 teaspoons cumin ground
- 3 teaspoons oregano dried
- 2-3 teaspoons salt or more, to taste
- 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper freshly ground
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 onion roughly chopped
- orange juice from 2 large oranges
- lime juice juice from 2 limes
Instructions
- Trim and discard excess fat from the pork.
- In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Generously season the pork on all sides.
- Add the seasoned pork to the bottom of the slow cooker. Add garlic, chopped onions, orange juice, and lime juice.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- Remove pork from the slow cooker, shred the meat. Taste and add more seasonings and salt and pepper, if needed.
- At this point you can eat the pork as is, or for a more authentic taste, place the meat on a baking sheet and broil it for 2-3 minutes until the edges are crispy.
- For tacos, serve warm inside warm corn tortillas topped with salsa or pico and cilantro. Serve with a side of Mexican rice and refried beans.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Store leftover Carnitas in the refrigerator for up to several days for easy meals later.
Nutrition Information
Calories
230kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
28g
(56%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
93mg
(31%)
Sodium
723mg
(30%)
Potassium
589mg
(13%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
629IU
(13%)
Vitamin C
4mg
(4%)
Calcium
58mg
(6%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 230
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 230kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 28g | 56% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 93mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 723mg | 30% |
| Potassium | 589mg | 13% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 629IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 58mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.