5 from 16 votes
Pork Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork) without a slow cooker
Pork Carnitas here are prepared by slow cooking pork shoulder with spices, onion, garlic, jalapeño, and orange juice until very tender. After shredding, the meat is crisped up in a hot skillet with oil. This method creates tender, flavorful pulled pork with crispy edges without needing a slow cooker. The blend of spices and citrus adds depth and brightness to the rich pork, suitable for tacos, burritos, or sandwiches.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
Servings:
6
Calories:
237 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram pork shoulder - skin removed, but not the fat
- ½ tablespoon oregano dried
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon peppercorn
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion - chopped
- 3 cloves garlic - crushed
- 1 jalapeño or other hot pepper - chopped
- 1 orange - juiced
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil for frying, generic cooking oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the pork.
- Grind together the dried oregano, cumin, peppercorn, and salt. Transfer to a small bowl and mix in olive oil to make the rub. Rub this all over the pork.
- Place the pork in a pot with lid. Add the chopped onions, garlic, jalapeno, orange juice, and water. Cover pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Once it starts to boil, lower the temperature to low and slow cook for several hours (3-4 hours) or until meat becomes really tender and can easily be pulled apart.
- Remove meat from the pot and let it cool off a bit. Take 2 forks to shred the meat. Set aside the remaining sauce from the pan. This can be used for extra seasoning later. You can also refrigerate the Carnitas for later or next day consumption. Just make sure you cover it so it will not dry out in the fridge.
- Fry the Carnitas before serving. In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat. Place the shredded pork evenly and fry for 2-3 minutes without stirring. Drizzle about 5 tablespoons of the leftover sauce over the shredded meat and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until bottom side is slightly browned and crusty and all the sauce are gone. Turn off the heat and turn the meat to warm the other side through.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
237kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
20g
(40%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
68mg
(23%)
Sodium
856mg
(36%)
Potassium
434mg
(9%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
75IU
(2%)
Vitamin C
17mg
(19%)
Calcium
43mg
(4%)
Iron
1.7mg
(9%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 237
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 237kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 856mg | 36% |
| Potassium | 434mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 75IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 17mg | 19% |
| Calcium | 43mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.