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4.4 from 189 votes

Pork Carnitas

Crispy Carnitas are a delicious Mexican dinner with juicy pork meat broiled to give it nice crispy edges. This can be made in an instant pot or slow cooker. A great recipe fit for a Mexican restaurant. 

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 39 kcal
Course: Others
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 6-8 lb boneless pork butt or shoulder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/2 /2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1/2 /2 cup orange juice (about 1 orange)
  • 1/4 /4 cup lime juice (about 2 limes)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion cut in wedges
  • 4 cloves garlic

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Trim the fat from your pork and cut pork into 4-inch cubes. Place in instant pot or slow cooker. Sprinkle pork with the salt, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and pepper. Toss to coat.
  2. Pour in the chicken broth, orange juice, lime juice, and drizzle with olive oil. Add the onion and garlic on top. Cook in the instant pot on high pressure for 1 hour, letting the pressure release naturally. For the the slow cooker, cook for 6-8 hours on low.
  3. Preheat broiler and line two baking sheets with aluminum foil. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat and shred with two forks, discarding any remaining fat. You will use the juice later.
  4. Place shredded meat in a single layer on the pans. Pour about 1 cup of juices from the pot over each of the pans of pork. Broil one pan at a time for 5-8 minutes or until the edges are crispy. Toss with additional juices from the pan. Squeeze with more lime if desired and fresh cilantro. Serve on flour or corn tortillas with all of your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • This is how the macros were calculated with the marinade since not all of the marinade sticks. For a non-oil liquid based marinade (eg juices etc) assume 1/3 tbsp sticks to each 85 grams (3 oz) of meat.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/12 of the recipe Calories 39kcal (2%) Carbohydrates 0.5g (0%) Protein 2.4g (5%) Fat 3g (5%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 39

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/12 of the recipe
Calories 39kcal 2%
Carbohydrates 0.5g 0%
Protein 2.4g 5%
Fat 3g 5%

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