Simple Carnitas

May 27, 2023May 27, 20230 0

Simple Carnitas recipe for a hearty and savory meal

by The Chefin Main

Prep

10 min

Cook

3 hours and 20 minutes

Ready In

3 hours and 30 minutes

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	1 pound boneless pork shoulder , trimmed and cut into 2 inch chunks
	2 oranges , quartered
	1 large white onion , quartered
	6 cloves garlic , peeled and crushed
	1/4 cup kosher salt
	1 tablespoon ground cumin
	1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
	2 bay leaves

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

4-6

Calories

360 per serving

Sugar

Fat

26g

Carnitas is a popular Mexican dish that is traditionally made with pork that is slow-cooked until tender, then shredded and crisped up in a pan. The result is a savory, flavorful meat that can be used in a variety of ways. Carnitas can be eaten on its own, or served on tacos, burritos, salads, and more. One of the great things about Carnitas is that it can be cooked in a variety of ways, including in a slow cooker or on a stove top. This recipe uses a Dutch oven or oven-safe pot to cook the meat slowly in the oven. The oranges and onions impart a sweetness to the meat, while the garlic, cumin, and peppercorns create a savory flavor profile. It's a dish that can be customized to your liking and is perfect for feeding a crowd.

Instructions

1.	Preheat oven to 300°F.
2.	In a large bowl, mix together pork, oranges, onion, garlic, salt, cumin, and peppercorns until well coated.
3.	Place mixture in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot with bay leaves.
4.	Cover and bake for 3 hours or until pork is tender and falls apart easily.
5.	Remove pork from pot and shred with a fork.
6.	Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the shredded pork, cooking until browned and crispy.
7.	Serve with your favorite toppings such as cilantro, avocado, and lime wedges.

PROS

This dish is full of flavor and can be served in a variety of ways.
It also makes great leftovers.

Carnitas is versatile and can be added to tacos, burritos, salads and more.
It is a perfect meal for any time of day.

CONS

This dish takes several hours to make, so plan accordingly.

It can also be high in calories, fat, and sodium depending on the preparation and toppings used.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dish may not be the healthiest, it does provide a good source of protein and is low in carbs.
Pork is high in thiamin, vitamin B6, and niacin, which are all essential for energy production and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system.