Jul 13 2026

Carnitas Recipe

Time4h
Serves6

Cooked with onions and cilantro.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepare the Pork

    Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks (about 3-4 pieces). Season with salt, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Make sure the pork is evenly coated with the spices.

  2. 2

    Chop the Vegetables

    Dice the large onion and mince the garlic cloves. Chop the fresh cilantro and set aside for garnishing later.

Cooking

  1. 3

    Cook the Pork

    In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the seasoned pork chunks. Pour in the lime juice and orange juice. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

  2. 4

    Simmer

    Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the pork simmer for about 3-4 hours, until the meat is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.

  3. 5

    Shred the Meat

    Once the pork is tender, remove it from the pot and place it on a cutting board. Shred the meat using two forks and set aside.

  4. 6

    Reduce the Sauce

    Increase the heat to medium-high and let the cooking liquid reduce until it thickens slightly, about 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.

  5. 7

    Combine with Shredded Meat

    Return the shredded pork to the pot and mix well with the reduced sauce. Allow to cook together for an additional 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serving

  1. 8

    Serve the Carnitas

    Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro. Enjoy in tacos, burritos, or on a platter with your favorite sides.

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