Chipotle Carnitas
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Additional Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
321 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Chipotle Carnitas
Description
Chipotle Carnitas uses a pork roast such as shoulder or butt seasoned simply with kosher salt and black pepper, then browned to develop a caramelized crust. Aromatic herbs including bay leaves, fresh thyme, and juniper berries infuse the cooking broth with subtle herbal and resinous notes as the pork cooks low and slow for eight hours. After shredding, spooning reserved cooking liquid onto the pork and broiling creates crispy edges that contrast the moist meat inside.
The carnitas can be served immediately after broiling, offering a rich pork flavor base with herbaceous highlights and a mix of textures. The slow cooker method supports a hands-off approach while still developing depth from the brief sear and long braise.
Discarding juniper berries and bay leaves before shredding ensures no tough bits. Broiling briefly at the end is an important step for textural contrast, transforming the tender shredded pork into morsels with appealing crisp spots.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 pounds pork roast such as pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons thyme fresh leaves
- 2 teaspoons juniper berries
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat.
- Season the pork roast with the salt and pepper.
- Place the pork in the pot. Cook on both sides for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme and juniper berries.
- Cover and cook for 8 hours on low heat.
- Uncover the slow cooker and discard the juniper berries and bay leaves.
- Shred the pork in the slow cooker with two forks.
- Serve as-is, or place the shredded pork on a sheet pan lined with cooking spray. Spoon 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid over the pork. Broil for 3-4 minutes or until the pork pieces have crispy edges.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 321 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 321kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 51g | 102% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 143mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 1091mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 878mg | 19% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 27IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 3mg | 3% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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