Dutch Oven Pork Carnitas

2h
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Start by trimming the fat from 3 pounds of pork shoulder and cutting 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 and five minced garlic cloves to the Dutch oven and sauté until soft and golden.
  5. 5Return the browned pork to the Dutch oven.
  6. 6Add two cups of chicken stock, the juice of one orange, and the juice of half a lime.
  7. 7Add two bay leaves, two teaspoons of oregano, one teaspoon of chili powder, one teaspoon of cumin, one teaspoon of salt, and pepper to your desire.
  8. 8Stir everything together before putting the lid on the Dutch oven.
  9. 9Place the Dutch oven in the oven at 300° for 2 to 3 hours, or until the pork comes apart easily with a fork.
  10. 10Remove the pork from the Dutch oven and place it in a bowl.
  11. 11Shred the pork using two forks.
  12. 12Transfer the shredded pork to a sheet pan and spread it out.
  13. 13Pour the juices from the Dutch oven over the shredded pork on the sheet pan and spread them out.
  14. 14Broil the pork for a few minutes until it gets crispy.
  15. 15Squeeze the remaining half lime over the carnitas.
  16. 16Add cilantro on top, if desired.
  17. 17Fill a tortilla with carnitas, salsa, and your favorite taco sauce.

Ingredients

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

Equipment

Dutch ovensheet panforksbowl

Tips

  • Trim the fat from the pork shoulder and cut it 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 pork for a few minutes to get that carnitas crisp.