Carnitas
- Date:
- Nov. 20, 2025, 11:53 a.m.
- Topics:
- tex-mex
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 2-inch cubes
- ½ C orange juice
- ¼ C lime juice (from about 2 to 3 limes)
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp Kosher salt, plus more to taste
- Corn tortillas
- Avocado slices, chopped cilantro and fixings of your choice
Instructions
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Place the pork in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot.
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Add the orange juice, lime juice, garlic, cumin, salt and enough water to just barely cover the meat.
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Bring the pot to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.
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Simmer uncovered for two hours, don’t touch the meat.
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After two hours, increase the heat to medium-high and while occasionally stirring and turning the pieces, continue to cook for about 45 minutes, or until all of the liquid has evaporated, leaving only the rendered pork fat.
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Let it sizzle in this fat long enough to brown at the edges, turning pieces gently (they’ll be eager to fall apart), only as needed.
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When pork has browned on both sides, adjust seasonings to taste and serve on warmed tortillas with fixings.