Carnitas Dutch Oven Recipe

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5

10 reviews
Excellent

Carnitas Dutch Oven Recipe

Carnitas prepared in a Dutch oven use pork butt simmered in a flavorful mixture of citrus juices, beef stock, and spices. The slow oven cooking technique renders tender, juicy meat that is later broiled to develop crispy edges typical of traditional carnitas. Aromatics like onion, garlic, and jalapeño infuse the pork during cooking, balancing the richness with bright, slightly spicy notes. This recipe is suited to those who want a hearty meat dish with a combination of tender and crispy textures, ideal for tacos or other Mexican-inspired meals.

Description

The Carnitas Dutch Oven Recipe centers on pork butt pieces seared to lock in flavor and then simmered in a combination of beef stock, fresh orange and lime juice, and spices such as cumin, chili powder, oregano, and coriander. The meat slow-braises in this fragrant liquid with added onion, garlic, and jalapeño, allowing the pork to absorb vibrant citrus and spice elements. After two hours of oven cooking at 300°F, the pork is removed for a broiling step that crisply caramelizes the exterior, producing the distinctive texture contrast of carnitas between the tender inside and the slightly crisp outside.

This carnitas preparation is designed for serving with traditional sides or tortillas, where the mix of juicy, flavorful pork and the aromatic sharpness of the accompaniments shine. The combination of citrus and spices provides layered flavors that enhance the meat's natural richness without overpowering it.

A critical step is not to skip the broiling after slow cooking, as that final crisping phase is what differentiates carnitas from pulled pork. Searing the pork before braising also contributes to flavorful browning early in the process. Overall, this recipe requires some time but results in a hearty, flavorful carnitas ideal for taco night or casual dinners.

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Ingredients

Servings
  • 4 pounds pork butt cut into 4 pieces, boneless, or shoulder
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or any other high smoke point oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper ground
  • 2 cups beef stock low sodium
  • 2 whole orange juiced
  • 1 whole lime juiced
  • 1 tablespoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano dried
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 whole onion chopped
  • 5 whole garlic chopped, cloves
  • 1 whole jalapeño chopped (seeds and ribs removed for less heat)

Instructions

Oven Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
  2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  3. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
  4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
  5. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the Dutch oven. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
  6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
  7. Add the pork back to the dutch oven and bring to a simmer uncovered.
  8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the pot and bake in the oven for 2 hours.
  9. Remove the pot from the oven. Turn on the broiler.
  10. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
  11. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
  12. Place the pot on the stove (with only the cooking liquid remaining inside) and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
  13. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
  14. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Slow Cooker Method

  1. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  2. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
  3. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
  4. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the frying pan. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pan by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
  5. When the pan has de-glazed completely, pour the stock into the crockpot. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the pork to the crockpot.
  7. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. I do not recommend cooking on high.
  8. Once cooked, preheat the broiler.
  9. Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
  10. Strain the liquid that is left in the crockpot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
  11. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
  12. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
  13. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Instant Pot Method

  1. Turn the Instant Pot on to the SAUTE function.
  2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
  3. Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot.
  4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
  5. Press CANCEL and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
  6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
  7. Add the pork back to the Instant Pot.
  8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
  9. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 1 hour.
  10. QUICK RELEASE the pressure.
  11. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
  12. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
  13. Turn the SAUTE function back on the Instant Pot with only the cooking liquid remaining inside. Boil until it begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
  14. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
  15. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Notes

  • Do not skip the broiling step after braising; it crisps the pork and creates the iconic texture for carnitas.
  • Sear the pork pieces before braising to develop flavor and a well-browned exterior.
  • Use fresh orange and lime juice for genuine citrus notes that balance the richness of the pork.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Serving 1serving Calories 227kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 3g (1%) Protein 35g (70%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Trans Fat 0g (0%) Cholesterol 83mg (28%) Sodium 482mg (20%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 227 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 227kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 3g 1%
Protein 35g 70%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Trans Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 482mg 20%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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