How to Make Braised Pork Carnitas - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's something incredibly satisfying about a dish that requires patience and time, and braised pork carnitas is certainly one of those dishes. This Mexican-inspired recipe takes a humble cut of pork and transforms it into tender, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply served with rice and beans.

The secret to making authentic braised pork carnitas lies in the slow cooking process, which allows the pork to become tender while d...

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Ingredients

  • 5 pounds pork shoulder roast
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ small yellow onion, chopped
  • 6 cups pork stock
  • 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 12 green onions, chopped
  • 24 fresh yellow corn tortillas
  • 4 cups thinly shaved green cabbage
  • 10 ounces crumbled queso fresco
  • 2 cups fresh salsa
  • 2 limes, cut into wedges

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 hrs 10 mins
  • Total Time: 5 hrs 40 mins
  • Servings: 24
  • Yield: 24 servings

  • Heat a large, cast iron Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season pork shoulder with garlic, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Place pork shoulder fat-side down into the hot pot and sear until deep golden brown on all sides, 4 to 5 minutes. Add yellow onion to cook with rendered drippings for 1 minute. Slowly pour in pork stock to cover pork shoulder.
  • Bring to a light boil; cover and braise until fork-tender, 4 1/2 to 5 hours.
  • Transfer to a bowl and shred into carnitas, adding 1 1/2 cups of pork stock for moisture and more salt and pepper to taste.
  • Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions and cook until slightly browned, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  • Heat corn tortillas in the hot skillet on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes total for each tortilla. Place braised pork into tortillas and garnish with cabbage, queso fresco, salsa, green onions, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Nutrition

    211 cal.

    • Total Fat: 11g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 41mg
    • Sodium: 820mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 16g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 2g
    • Protein: 13g
    • Vitamin C: 9mg
    • Calcium: 86mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 361mg