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Pork Carnitas Recipe
We like to call these Mexican Pork Carnitas "the best carnitas you'll ever eat in your whole life." Yes, they're that good. The meat is super flavorful and tender with lots of magical crispy bits. You'll love it!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 10 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 297 kcal
Cuisine:
Mexican
Ingredients
The Spice Rub
- 2 2 teaspoons EACH: salt and paprika
- 1 1 teaspoon EACH: black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and oregano
- Optional: ½ teaspoon chili flakes if you like it a little spicy
The Pork Carnitas
- 2 ½ 2 ½ lb Pork butt or pork shoulder
- Juice from 2 oranges
- Juice from 2 limes
- 1 1 tablespoon honey omit for sugar-free
- 4 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 2 bay leaves
- 1 1 tablespoon avocado oil
Instructions
- Mix the spice rub ingredients together in a small bowl. Evenly coat all sides of the pork with the spice rub.
- Add the orange juice, lime juice, honey (if using), garlic, and bay leaves to your pot. Stir then set the pork on top.
- Choose which method you will cook the pork carnitas and follow those directions.
- When the pork is very tender, remove it from the pot and shred it using 2 forks. Turn your oven to broil.
- Pour the cooking juices into a pot and boil for 10 minutes, or until it is reduced to about ½ cup.
- Place the shredded pork on a large, rimmed baking sheet, drizzle it with the avocado oil, and put it on the top rack in your oven. Let it broil for 10 minutes then mix the pork around and broil for 10 minutes more.
- Pour the reduced cooking liquid over the pork and toss to coat.
Cup of Yum
Stovetop cooking method
- Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat and cover the pot. Simmer very gently for 5-6 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
Cup of Yum
Oven cooking method
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover the pot and put it in your oven for 7-8 hours, or until the pork is very tender.
Notes
- You can also try our crockpot pork carnitas!
Nutrition Information
Serving
1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe
Calories
297kcal
(15%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
36g
(72%)
Fat
13g
(20%)
Saturated Fat
4g
(20%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
6g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
113mg
(38%)
Sodium
899mg
(37%)
Potassium
707mg
(20%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
49IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
14mg
(16%)
Calcium
36mg
(4%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 serving = ⅙ of the recipe | |
| Calories | 297kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 36g | 72% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 113mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 899mg | 37% |
| Potassium | 707mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 49IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 36mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.