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+ servings

Carnitas

Tender, flavorful Mexican pulled pork, perfect for tacos or burritos.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Total Time 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Pork
  • 3 pounds pork shoulder cut into large chunks
Spices
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional for heat
Aromatics
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 1 lime juice
Others
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for browning

Method
 

Prepare the Pork
  1. In a bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork shoulder pieces.
Cook the Pork
  1. In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the pork pieces on all sides, then transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, orange juice, and lime juice to the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
  3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
Shred and Serve
  1. Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix with the juices.
  2. Serve the carnitas in tacos, burritos, or on their own with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 25gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra crispy carnitas, spread the shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes before serving.

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