It's hard to believe I went until age 22 without falling in love with Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas. Never fear, we've made some changes since then and these Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas are now one of our favorite little indulgences. This is the type of recipe that you can make and then use for multiple nights for a variety of dishes!! Who can say no to that?
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
The pork shoulder gently cooks for 3 hours and when it's done, it literally melts in your mouth. Insanely tender and even more delicious with the addition of a little guacamole, it makes for a 100% satisfying meal. Add a skinny margarita and you couldn't pay me enough to share!
You could use this carnitas recipe and throw it into tacos, nachos, quesadillas, or any other application you deem fit. You honestly couldn't go wrong!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Boneless pork shoulder cut into 2 inch cubes
- Orange Juice
- Lime Juice
- Chipotle salsa
- Kosher salt plus more to taste
- Pico de Gallo
- Guacamole
- Charred Small Flour Tortillas
- Chopped Onions and Cilantro
- Freshly shredded Cheddar Cheese
How to Make
Place the pork in a large dutch oven with the orange juice, lime juice, salsa and salt. Add enough water to barely cover the meat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and simmer with the lid on for 2 hours, at which point the pork should be falling apart to the touch.
Turn the heat up to medium high, and continue to cook the pork for 45 minutes, uncovered, stirring every once in a while, until all the liquid has evaporated and the pork fat as been rendered.
Parts of the pork should be caramelized and golden brown. Remove the dutch oven from the stove and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or let cool and store in an airtight container for 4 days in the fridge
Tips & Tricks
This recipe is super straight forward! If you prefer a tomatillo salsa to a chipotle salsa, please feel free to make that substitution! And if you want to make your own, the recipes for both are linked above. But if not, feel free to use store bought as that's easier and 95% of the time exactly what I do too!
FAQ's
What kind of meat is carnitas?
Pork. Specifically the Pork Butt of Pork Shoulder
What is difference between pulled pork and carnitas?
Pulled pork is typically made from pork shoulder, slow-cooked until tender and then shredded. Carnitas, on the other hand, is a Mexican dish made from pork shoulder or butt that is braised or simmered until it becomes tender and then shredded or chopped.
What is carnitas vs barbacoa?
Carnitas is a Mexican dish made from braised or simmered pork, typically seasoned with spices such as garlic, cumin, and oregano. Barbacoa, on the other hand, is a traditional Mexican style of cooking meat, often beef or lamb, that is slow-cooked until tender.
How do you serve Carnitas?
Carnitas is traditionally served in tacos or burritos with toppings such as onions, cilantro, salsa, and lime.
Similar Recipes
Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless pork shoulder cut into 2 inch cubes
- ½ cup fresh Orange Juice
- ¼ cup fresh Lime Juice
- 10 oz chipotle salsa
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
For Serving
- pico de gallo
- guacamole
- charred tortillas
- chopped onions and cilantro
- freshly shredded cheese
Instructions
- Place the pork in a large dutch oven with the orange juice, lime juice, salsa and salt. Add enough water to barely cover the meat. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low and simmer with the lid on for 2 hours, at which point the pork should be falling apart to the touch.
- Turn the heat up to medium high, and continue to cook the pork for 45 minutes, uncovered, stirring every once in a while, until all the liquid has evaporated and the pork fat as been rendered.
- Parts of the pork should be caramelized and golden brown. Remove the dutch oven from the stove and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve immediately or let cool and store in an airtight container for 4 days in the fridge
Notes
Nutrition Information
For another great comforting pork recipe, check out my Pulled Pork Sliders
Photo by Matt Armendariz / Food Styling by Adam Pearson / Recipe by What’s Gaby Cooking
I made this this weekend and it turned out great. Last night I used some of the leftovers to make naked burrito bowls with rice, black beans, cheese and guacamole. Very Good!
I made these yesterday and oh my goodness, they are WONDERFUL! Seriously amazing. We had friends over and you wouldn't believe how much pork we ate 🙂 Definitely a big hit. I made them with King Arthur Flour's soft wrap bread as the tortillas and the combination was incredible. Plus I made your guacamole!
One question though - cubing the pork was incredibly difficult for some reason. Is there any way to do it faster? Could I get boneless pork? I had the hardest time getting the pork off the bone when cutting it.
Ask your butcher to cut it off the bone for you. So much easier!
Also my favorite carnitas recipe if from David Lebovitz. Check out his website.. This one is even simpler, so I'll have to try it to!
I made this for Halloween night - it will be the new tradition that replaces the old Halloween chili. SOOOOO good!!
I definitely need to try this! I'm always on the hunt for yum carnita recipes! Thanks!
I like anything with guacamole!
I'm SHOCKED this is your first carnitas experience. Hopefully not the last.
Wait, wait, wait... 24 years? You are 24? Such a young thing!
These look fantastic!
It's funny how these great dishes sneak up on you and change your life. Lucky for you, you have many more 24 years ahead of you to eat all the carnitas you can wrap your mouth around. xoxoxo
next time I make some you and coming over for dinner!
And now I just need your guac recipe too! 🙂 Great job!
yum, i love carnitas. i had no idea they were so easy to make! yours look great.
totally easy to make!! Just throw it all in a pot and you are good to go!!!
I've never had carnitas before! But I love pork, so I can't wait to try these.
omg Megan! They will change your life. they are hands down my favorite main course ever!
I made these (twice now!) and just posted them on my blog. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe 🙂 We absolutely loved them.
Oh my gosh, YES. This is like a mix of my two favorite meals - pulled pork and soft tacos. Sign me up! These look so good, Gaby. Thanks for the awesome, tasty dinner idea.
anytime!!!! Or just come on over and help me eat the rest of my leftovers 🙂
I'll bring the pico de gallo!
This sounds fabulous! I actually have a similar recipe on my menu this week!
I am a huge carnitas fan because I love all things pork. My mouth is watering just thinking of it.
I know right?!?!? Its the new love of my life.