Dutch Oven Pork Carnitas

180 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Trim the fat from 3 pounds of pork shoulder and cut it into manageable sizes.
  2. 2Brown the pork on all sides in a hot oiled Dutch oven.
  3. 3Remove the browned pork from the Dutch oven.
  4. 4Add one diced onion to the Dutch oven.
  5. 5Add five minced garlic cloves to the Dutch oven.
  6. 6Stir and sauté the onions and garlic until they are soft and golden.
  7. 7Return the pork to the Dutch oven with the sautéed onions and garlic.
  8. 8Add two cups of chicken stock.
  9. 9Juice one orange into the Dutch oven.
  10. 10Squeeze the juice of half a lime into the Dutch oven.
  11. 11Add two bay leaves.
  12. 12Add two teaspoons of oregano.
  13. 13Add one teaspoon of chili powder.
  14. 14Add one teaspoon of cumin.
  15. 15Add one teaspoon of salt.
  16. 16Add as much pepper as your heart desires.
  17. 17Stir everything together.
  18. 18Put the lid on the Dutch oven.
  19. 19Place the Dutch oven in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for two to three hours.
  20. 20Check if the pork is done by sticking a fork in it; it should come apart easily.
  21. 21Transfer all the pork to a bowl.
  22. 22Shred the pork using two forks.
  23. 23Transfer the shredded pork to a sheet pan and spread it out.
  24. 24Pour the juices from the Dutch oven over the shredded pork and spread it out.
  25. 25Place the sheet pan under the broiler for a few minutes to get a carnitas crisp.
  26. 26Squeeze the remaining half of the lime over the carnitas.
  27. 27Optionally, add cilantro if you have it.
  28. 28Fill a tortilla with carnitas, salsa, and your favorite taco sauce.
  29. 29Fold the taco.
  30. 30Enjoy your homemade carnitas taco.

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds pork shoulder
  • 1 diced onion
  • 5 minced garlic cloves
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 orange
  • 0.5 lime
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tortilla
  • salsa
  • taco sauce
  • cilantro

Equipment

Dutch oventongswooden spatulabowlforkssheet panoven

Tips

  • You'll know when it's done because when you stick a fork in it, it'll come apart.
  • If you've got cilantro in your pocket, by all means, throw it on top!