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This carnitas recipe takes minutes to prep and is great in tacos, bean burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and more!
We love to have delicious pulled pork carnitas with some of our favorite sides, including corn tortillas or Homemade Flour Tortillas, Homemade Spanish Rice, or Mexican Street Corn.
Juicy, Flavorful Meat to Love!
Carnitas is pork cut into smaller sections and then slow-cooked. It translates to “little meat” and is seasoned with citrus and other delicious spices.
This carnitas recipe is essentially a Mexican version of pulled pork and happens to be a favorite dinner in the Merkley house!
Why we love it:
- Tender and juicy. The meat becomes permeated with flavor and is fall-apart tender, making it beyond delicious.
- Just enough spice. It is flavored with delicious spices, but isn’t spicy – perfect for Cinco de Mayo or any fiesta!
- So many uses! Enjoy pork carnitas alone as a main dish with a simple Flour Tortilla, served in Tacos, Burritos, over Nachos, in a Burrito Bowl, in a Quesadilla, or on top of a salad.
- Have it on hand! This pork also freezes well so go ahead and stock up.
Ingredients
- boneless skinless pork butt (pork shoulder) – For fall-apart meat that is as tender as possible, use a cut of pork that’s on the fattier side. Pork tenderloin and pork loin are too lean to achieve that.
- garlic salt with parsley flakes
- black pepper
- minced garlic – If mincing garlic, use 4 garlic cloves for 4 teaspoons.
- onion
- jalapeno – or add chili powder for more of a kick
- orange juice – fresh squeezed or bottled. For freshly squeezed juice you will need 2 medium oranges. Use the orange peel to make orange zest for added flavor.
- lime juice – fresh squeezed or bottled. You will need 2 medium limes to make ¼ cup of fresh juice.
- dried oregano
- cumin
- olive oil
How Much to Make
Plan to buy ⅓ to ½ pound of pork per person. That may seem like a lot, but remember that the pork will lose some weight while cooking. If using bone-in pork, purchase a larger amount to compensate for the weight of the bone.
How to Make Mexican Carnitas
- SEASON. Begin by making the rub in a small bowl and set it aside.
- Dry pork butt and rub garlic salt and pepper all over it. Put rub ingredients on pork butt and place in a slow cooker, with the fat side up.
- Add minced garlic, onion, and jalapeno. Top with lime and orange juices.
- COOK. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 9-10 hours. Let cool for 20 minutes. Shred in batches if necessary.
Carnitas Instant Pot Instructions
- Cut larger pork roasts into 2-4 large chunks (depending on the size) and place them in the pot. Add the other ingredients.
- Seal the lid and make sure the valve is set to “sealing”.
- Select “manual” and set it for 60 minutes. (Double check your pots user manual for specific timing)
- Once done, allow the high pressure to release naturally, this will take about 10 minutes. Remove the valve and allow the pressure to finish releasing.
- Remove the lid and take out the pork. It should already be falling apart. Finish shredding the pork with a fork and serve.
Recipe Tips + Storing
- Make it crispy. Use the broiler in the oven. Line a baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Spread the pulled pork evenly over the baking sheet and broil on the top rack until golden brown and crisp.
- Carnitas tacos. Carnitas make tasty tacos topped with salsa, cheese, sour cream, avocado, tomato, cilantro, or any of your favorites. Pair it with Refried Beans or black beans, Mexican Street Corn, Pico de Gallo, Salsa Verde, and Guacamole.
- Keep the shredded pork warm in the crock pot or chafing dish while serving.
- STORE this best carnitas recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 4 days.
- FREEZE leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for 2-3 months.
- Reheat. Thaw and warm it up in the crock pot or oven until hot. Be sure to include the drippings in the storage containers. The liquid will help keep the meat moist and flavorful.
For More Mexican Main Dishes:
Carnitas Recipe
This carnitas recipe takes minutes to prep and is great in tacos, bean burritos, quesadillas, chimichangas, and more!
Ingredients
- 4 pounds pork butt, bonless, skinless
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, deseeded, chopped
- ½ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup lime juice
Rub Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl and sit aside.
- Dry pork butt and rub garlic salt and pepper all over it. Put rub ingredients on pork butt and place in a slow cooker, with the fat side up.
- Add minced garlic, onion, and jalapeno. Top with lime and orange juices.
- Cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 9-10 hours.
- Let cool for 20 minutes before shredding making sure to discard any big chunks of fat.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 91mg, Sodium: 488mg, Potassium: 571mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 47IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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One of my favorite recipes!
Can I ask where that adorable casserole dish is from? I love it!
I wish I could remember! Probably Home Goods or TJMaxx. Thank you!
I love this versatile meat recipe! Can be uesd for different recipes and is deliCious!
I love the flavor of this show cooked pork. It’s a nice change from my other recipes.
I tried making this the other day and we loved it! It was easy to make. Served it with flour tortillas and even the kids loved it.
Carnitas are the best! My family love your recipe very easy to make!
LOVE THIS SIMPLE RECIPE BECAUSE IT TASTES LIKE I WORKED ON THE FLAVOR ALL DAY. LOVING MY NEW INSTANT POT AND FINDING ALL THE BEST RECIPES FOR IT. THIS IS A NEW FAVORITE.
Love carnitas for street tacos! It is such an easy recipe that would be great for so many other recipes!