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Carnitas ~ Mexican Braised Pork

This old-school carnitas--pork shoulder simmered with onion, garlic, bay leaf, and orange until falling-apart tender and crispy--is excellent in burritos, tacos, or on its own. And it can be made in an Instant Pot or slow cooker.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time
2 hrs
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 291 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds fatty pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 cups cold water
  • 1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 orange, preferably seedless, cut into 2 wedges (or 1 to 2 oranges if using the Instant Pot Variation)
  • 1/4 cup lard, (or, for the lard averse, vegetable oil)
  • 8 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano crumbled
  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons fine salt, or 3 to 4 teaspoons kosher salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place all of the ingredients in a wide 6- to 7-quart heavy pot. (Don’t worry if everything isn't completely submerged.) Bring to a boil, skimming any scum that collects on the surface as necessary.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium-lowish and simmer vigorously, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and the liquid has completely evaporated, 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Discard the orange pieces and bay leaves.☞ TESTER TIP: If the liquid hasn’t completely evaporated, transfer the pork to a bowl and continue to simmer the liquid, stirring often, until it is reduced and only a glossy layer of oil remains.
  3. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C)
  4. If your pot isn't ovenproof, transfer the pork and fat to a dish of some sort that's ovenproof. Slide the pork into the oven, uncovered, and let it fry in its own fat until it's browned, 20 to 30 minutes. There’s no need to stir. Serve it straight from the pot.

Notes

  • Storage--Leftover pork carnitas can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating--If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stovetop or in the oven with a little additional lard until warmed through and crisped on the edges.
  • Dietary--This pork carnitas recipe is suitable for gluten-free diets.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1portion Calories 291kcal (15%) Carbohydrates 6g (2%) Protein 28g (56%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 94mg (31%) Sodium 550mg (23%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 291

% Daily Value*

Serving 1portion
Calories 291kcal 15%
Carbohydrates 6g 2%
Protein 28g 56%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 94mg 31%
Sodium 550mg 23%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%

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