Carnitas | Authentic Mexican Recipe – Tender and Flavorful Pork

The Best Homemade Carnitas

One thing I think we can all agree with, we love tacos and this Carnitas recipe is no exception. If you don’t know what that means, I’m talking about tender yet crispy thin pieces of pork meat that have been cooked to perfection. Some of the busiest cities in Mexico and in the United States have street vendors cranking out these little gems like they’re going out of style. Folks can’t get enough and I’m going to show you how to do it better than any other online recipe.

Misconceptions about Carnitas

The very definition of the Latin word, “Carnitas” translates as braised or roasted pork served shredded in small pieces. Some people seem to think that means that the meat should be cut into small portions before cooking it. Nonsense. It’s the final product that needs to be chopped up. Some of the most famous cookeries in Mexico braise all of the meat in large portions. The only reason to cut the pork into small pieces would be to fit in your pot, if your home pot isn’t big enough. Also, you won’t be needing any additional lard to cook this recipe because this pork shoulder is marinated first, then baked and roasted in it’s own rendered fat.

Carnitas Marinade

As I already mentioned, Carnitas is braised or Roasted pork. In Mexico and most online recipes, the pork is cooked in large amounts of lard first, then all of the other ingredients are added half way through or more towards the end of the cooking. Marinating the meat first, then baking with the slow and low method, accomplishes several things; it flavors, tenderizes and allows you to free up your time instead of baby sitting the stove for several ours. If I want tacos for lunch, I get this started the night before and it cooks itself until I get up the next day. Not to mention, this process cooks the meat perfectly and I prove that in the video tutorial down below.

Carnitas Final Steps

This Carnitas recipe will roast for 12 hours in the oven but it’s not finished yet. Although you can achieve the tenderness from the slow and low method, you’re still going to want to add some more flavor and a bit of crispiness to the meat. This can be done by adding the final ingredients, orange juice, Coca-Cola, bay leaves and cranking the oven up several notch’s. After you add those ingredients you want to bake the pork with the lid off for another hour. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, cut spin and rotate the meat before and every half hour to reach its full potential. You’ll understand better, once you watch my tutorial.

More Taco Recipes

Chipotle Chicken, Beef Barbacoa, Street Tacos(Cabesa), Pork Barbacoa, Quesa Birria Tacos, Shredded Chicken Tacos, Fish Tacos, Taco Salad, Pork Gyros, American Greek Gyro recipe, Pizza Tacos, Roasted Salsa Verde, Fire Roasted Salsa.

Ingredients for Carnitas:

• 10 lbs Pork Shoulder – The main cut for tender and flavorful carnitas.
• 1 Onion – Halved to flavor the cooking broth from the Roast during the bake.
• 2 Bay Leaves – Provides a mild, herbal fragrance.

1st Pork Marinade

• 1/4 cup Garlic-Infused Oil – Adds a rich, aromatic base flavor.
• 1 tsp Black Pepper – Enhances seasoning with a mild kick.
• 2 tsp Salt – Essential for bringing out all the flavors.
• 1 tbsp Mexican Oregano – Adds an earthy, herbaceous depth.
• 1 tbsp Cumin – Provides a warm, smoky undertone.
• 2 tbsp Chipotle in Adobo – Infuses a smoky heat and bold flavor.
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cloves – Adds a subtle, aromatic spice note.
• 2 tbsp Sweetened Condensed Milk – Balances the savory flavors with a hint of sweetness.

2nd Pork Marinade

• 1/2 cup Orange Juice – Tenderizes the pork and adds citrusy brightness.
• 1/2 cup Coca-Cola – Caramelizes and enhances sweetness.

Instructions

1. Bake the Pork: Preheat your oven to 200°F and bake the pork shoulder for 12 hours until tender, with the halved onion in the roasting pan.
2. Cut into Pieces: Remove the pork from the oven and cut it into smaller chunks.
3. Add Flavor: Combine the orange juice, cola, and bay leaves and pour over the top of the pork in the baking dish.
4. Bake Again: Increase the oven temperature to 350°F. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
5. Flip and Finish: Flip the Pork pieces over, then bake for another 30 minutes.
6. Shred the Pork: Remove from the oven, remove the Bay leaves, shred the pork, and mix it thoroughly with the juices.
7. Serve with your favorite tortillas for tacos and/or burritos.

Notes: I like to add a thin layer of Olive oil to a skillet and fry white corn tortillas for 20-30 seconds per side, over medium heat, then add a quick sprinkle of salt on one side. Then add the Carnitas with chopped Green onion, Cilantro and Salsa Verde.

Recommended

Roasting Pans, Pork Roasts, Cutting Boards, Knives.