Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsEl AztecaCarnitas Recipe

Carnitas Recipe

Inspired by El Azteca
Time8h
Serves6

Savory pork chunks served with rice, beans, pico, and garnished with a jalapeño. Served with corn or flour tortillas.

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Ingredients

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Pork Carnitas

Rice and Beans

Pico de Gallo

Tortillas

Method

Pork Carnitas

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pork

    Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks and season with salt, black pepper, cumin, and oregano.

  2. 2

    Combine Ingredients

    In a slow cooker, add the seasoned pork, garlic cloves (whole), quartered onion, bay leaves, orange juice, lime juice, and water.

  3. 3

    Cook the Pork

    Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the pork is tender and shreds easily.

  4. 4

    Shred the Pork

    Remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred it with two forks, and return it to the cooker to absorb more juices.

Rice and Beans

  1. 5

    Prepare Rice

    In a saucepan, combine the white rice, chicken broth, and garlic powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until rice is fluffy.

  2. 6

    Heat the Beans

    In a small pot, heat the black beans over medium heat until warmed through. Season with salt to taste.

  3. 7

    Add Cilantro

    Once the rice is done, stir in chopped cilantro and fluff with a fork.

Pico de Gallo

  1. 8

    Chop Vegetables

    Dice the tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeño (remove seeds if desired).

  2. 9

    Mix Ingredients

    In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Stir until well mixed.

Tortillas

  1. 10

    Warm Tortillas

    Warm the corn or flour tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 30 seconds on each side.

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