4.9 from 138 votes
Easy Pork Carnitas
Easy Pork Carnitas features tender pork tenderloin pieces seasoned and browned with onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin, then simmered briefly with fresh orange and lime juices. The citrus juices help create a lightly tangy glaze as they reduce, complementing the savory and spiced pork. This pan-cooked carnitas recipe yields flavorful pork suitable for tacos, burritos, or as a filling for various Mexican-inspired dishes, providing a quick and flavorful way to enjoy carnitas without long braising.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Course:
Main Course
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- salt to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, Kosher salt and freshly ground
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- ½ onion diced, medium sweet
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin ground
- 3 tablespoons orange juice freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Season pork with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pork, onion, garlic, chili powder and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until pork has browned, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in orange juice and lime juice, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook until reduced, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve immediately.
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