Chipotle Pork Carnitas
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
4 hrs
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Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
223 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
Chipotle Pork Carnitas
Description
Chipotle Pork Carnitas centers on a four-pound pork roast seasoned simply with salt and browned to create a seared crust. The pork is cooked slowly in a Dutch oven or slow cooker with water, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, and ground black pepper. This slow cooking tenderizes the meat, allowing it to be pulled apart easily. Turning the roast hourly during cooking helps the flavors penetrate throughout the meat. Juniper berries add a unique herbal note, while the thyme and bay leaves complement the pork's richness. The finished carnitas offer a balance of subtle herbal and savory aromas with a tender texture that is ideal for tacos, burritos, or meals requiring slow-cooked pork.
The recipe suggests avoiding pressure cooking to ensure deeper flavor from slow roasting. It also recommends choosing a marbled cut of pork to maintain moisture and suggests avocado oil as an alternative to sunflower oil for a keto-friendly variation. After cooking and resting, shredding the meat with forks separates the juicy, tender pork for serving.
These carnitas can be paired with tortillas and your preferred toppings to build tacos or burritos. The versatility of pulled pork from this recipe allows it to be used in various dishes, emphasizing the slow roast's flavor and texture development.
Select a marbled pork roast for the best texture and flavor, trimming excess fat after cooking if desired.Juniper berries are optional but contribute distinctive flavor; omit if unavailable.For a keto-friendly version, use avocado oil instead of sunflower oil.Do not use a pressure cooker, as slow roasting develops better flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork roast
- 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 teaspoons juniper berries
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 2 or 3 bay leaf
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Over medium heat add sunflower oil to a dutch oven. Season roast with salt. When the oil is hot saute roast on all sides for about 3 minutes on each side.
- This will brown the roast a bit. Add water, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, and ground black pepper to the Dutch Oven.
- Place lid on the pan and cook for 3 to 4 hours in the oven. Turn roast over in the pot every hour or so. Turning the roast will ensure the flavors go through the roast.
- Remove roast from oven. Allow resting for about 20 minutes. Then pull the meat apart with two folks.
Slow Cooker Directions
- Add sunflower oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Season roast with salt. When the oil is hot saute roast on all sides for about 3 minutes on each side.
- Place meat into a slow cooker. Add water, bay leaves, thyme, juniper berries, and ground black pepper to the slow cooker.
- Place lid on the pan and cook for 3 to 4 hours on medium heat. Turn roast over in the slow cooker every hour or so. Turning the roast will ensure the flavors go through the roast.
Notes
- Choose a pork roast with good marbling for tender, juicy carnitas.
- Juniper berries add unique flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Slow roasting is preferred over pressure cooking to enhance flavor.
- Use avocado oil for a keto-friendly modification.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 223 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 223kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 268mg | 11% |
| Potassium | 565mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 0g | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 10IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 8mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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