Pork Carnitas – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Pork Carnitas are bites of pork that are cooked until melt in your mouth tender; then the pork is roasted at a high temperature just until caramelized and crisp on the edges.

Carnitas literally translates to “little meats.” This pork carnitas recipe was an enormous hit with my whole family the first time I made it and these Carnitas have been made on frequent repeat for over ten years now.

For all the length of this recipe, the actual work involved is less than 20 minutes. The pork is delicious on rice, with potatoes, or stuffed into tacos or burritos.

I could hardly stop sampling this meat as I was snapping a picture before serving our plates, it really is that good.

Pork Carnitas Recipe

The basic ingredients are simple as can be, but the result is mouthwateringly tender pieces of meat with a caramelized citrus sauce and plenty of flavor from an abundance of spices. (Unlike many of the Mexican recipes here, there’s no heat in this recipe for pork carnitas.)

• Pork shoulder
• Onion
• Limes
• Oranges
• Spices

Dutch Oven Carnitas

1. Combine all the ingredients (including the spent orange halves) in a dutch oven or a large pot with an oven-safe lid. Bring the pot to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once the pot is simmering, move the pot to the oven and cook for about 2 hours, until the meat is fork-tender and falling apart.
2. Remove the pot from the oven and preheat the oven to broil. Use a slotted spoon or a set of tongs to remove the meat from the pot and place it on a large foil-lined baking sheet. Remove and discard everything else in the pot, leaving only the liquid. Place the pot over high heat on the stove, for about 10-20 minutes. Boil it until the liquid is thick and syrup-like. There should be about 1 cup of liquid left in the pot.
3. While the liquid is boiling and reducing, use the tongs or a pair of forks to very gently pull each piece of pork into 3 pieces. Avoid shredding the pork at this point, it will be very tender. Once the liquid has become thick and syrup-like, remove from the heat and place the pork back into the pot with the liquid. Gently fold the pieces into the liquid and try not to break them up further.
4. Transfer the coated pork back onto the baking sheet, spreading it in just one layer across the pan. Place the baking sheet back in the oven on the same lower middle shelf. Broil for 6-8 minutes, until the meat is quite browned and slightly crispy on the edges. Remove from the oven and use your tongs or a large spatula to flip over each piece. Return the pan to the oven and broil the other side for 6-8 minutes, until both sides are well-browned and the edges are crisp.

How To Make Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas are another delicious carnitas recipe, and that recipe never fails to get rave reviews as well. However, if you have a few extra minutes to be hands-on in the kitchen, this classic carnitas recipe is my first choice for carnitas.

Serve the carnitas with Homemade Whole Wheat Tortillas or The Best Gluten Free Flour Tortillas.

Turn this isn’t a Mexican feast with some Elote {Hot Mexican Corn Dip}, Chipotle Lime Rice, Avocado and Tomato Salad, or Black Bean and Corn Salad. However you serve them, these carnitas are about to rock your meal plan.

Also, if you’re lucky enough to have carnitas leftover, I highly recommend a skillet of Carnitas Breakfast Hash the next day.

Kitchen Tip: I use this dutch oven, this sheet pan, and these tongs to make this recipe.

recipe slightly adapted from and with thanks to Cooks Illustrated via My Kitchen Escapades

{recipe originally posted 12/15/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/10/22}