Delicious Recipe For Pork Carnitas
Pork carnitas is a popular Mexican dish which consists of tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder that’s crisped up with a quick broil. This dish is delicious served in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more. When it comes to making carnitas, the slow-cooker is your friend. The pork shoulder needs to cook for at least 8 hours before it’s ready to be crisped up in the oven. With this pork carnitas recipe, you’ll have a delicious dish that’s perfect for a busy weeknight or a fiesta-style get together.
Ingredients
To make this pork carnitas recipe you will need:
- 3-4 pound pork shoulder
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
To make this pork carnitas recipe, start by trimming the pork shoulder of any excess fat. Cut the pork shoulder into 2-3 inch cubes and place in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix together the onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the pork cubes, then pour in the chicken broth, orange juice, and olive oil. Give everything a good stir, then set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8 hours.
Once the pork is done cooking, preheat your oven to broil. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from the slow cooker and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Spread the pork out in an even layer and broil for 5-10 minutes, until the edges of the pork are crispy and golden brown.
Serve the crispy carnitas in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, or however else you like. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and lime wedges. Enjoy!
Tips for Making the Best Pork Carnitas
Here are a few tips to ensure that your pork carnitas turn out perfectly every time:
- Make sure to trim off any excess fat before cutting the pork shoulder into cubes. The fat will render out during cooking and make the carnitas greasy.
- For extra flavor, you can add in a few bay leaves, a jalapeño pepper, or a tablespoon of diced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
- To get the crispiest carnitas, make sure to spread the pork out in an even layer on the baking sheet before broiling.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can make these carnitas on the stove top. Just simmer the pork in a large pot with the spices and liquids for 3-4 hours, until the pork is fork tender.
- For a low carb version, serve the carnitas in lettuce wraps instead of tacos.
Storing and Reheating Tips
These pork carnitas will last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and spread the pork out on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, until hot and crispy. Serve as usual.
You can also freeze the pork carnitas for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the carnitas overnight in the refrigerator, then preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pork out on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until hot and crispy. Serve as usual.
Serving Suggestions
These pork carnitas are delicious served in tacos or burritos, with a side of rice and beans, or even in a salad. Here are a few other ideas:
- Serve the carnitas on top of nachos with all the usual fixings.
- Mix the carnitas with cooked quinoa and veggies for a delicious bowl.
- Stuff the carnitas into a sweet potato and top with cheese, sour cream, and salsa.
- Serve the carnitas over a bed of greens for a flavorful salad.
- Serve the carnitas with a side of guacamole and chips for a tasty appetizer.
Conclusion
Carnitas are a delicious and flavorful Mexican dish that is perfect for busy weeknights or get-togethers. This pork carnitas recipe is easy to make and can be served in a variety of ways. Whether you’re serving the carnitas in tacos, burritos, bowls, or salads, your friends and family are sure to love this flavorful dish.