Slow Simmered Homemade Carnitas

120 mins
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Start by adding 3 pounds of pork shoulder to a hot oiled Dutch oven, after trimming the fat and cutting it into manageable sizes.
  2. 2Brown the pork on all sides.
  3. 3Remove the browned pork from the Dutch oven.
  4. 4Add one diced onion and five minced garlic cloves to the Dutch oven, then stir and sauté until soft and golden.
  5. 5Return the browned pork to the Dutch oven.
  6. 6Add 2 cups of chicken stock, the juice of one orange, and the juice of half a lime.
  7. 7Add two bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of cumin, 1 teaspoon of salt, and pepper to taste.
  8. 8Stir everything together, put the lid on, and place the Dutch oven in the oven at 300 degrees for about 2 to 3 hours.
  9. 9Once the pork is done (it will come apart with a fork), remove it from the Dutch oven and place it in a bowl.
  10. 10Shred the pork with two forks.
  11. 11Transfer the shredded pork to a sheet pan and spread it out.
  12. 12Pour the juices from the Dutch oven over the pork on the sheet pan and spread them out.
  13. 13Broil the pork for a few minutes to get a crispy texture.
  14. 14Squeeze the other half of the lime over the carnitas.
  15. 15Sprinkle with cilantro if desired.

Ingredients

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

Equipment

Dutch ovensheet panforks

Tips

  • Trim the fat from the pork shoulder and cut into manageable sizes before browning.
  • Shred the pork with two forks after it's cooked.
  • Pour the juices from the Dutch oven over the shredded pork on the sheet pan before broiling for extra flavor and moisture.
  • Broil the carnitas for a few minutes to get a crispy texture.
Slow Simmered Homemade Carnitas | Clip Recipe