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Crispy Tender Carnitas Recipe Easy Juicy Shredded Pork Magic

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This crispy tender carnitas recipe delivers juicy shredded pork with perfectly crispy edges, combining slow cooking and high-heat crisping for a flavorful, easy-to-make meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 lbs pork shoulder
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 medium onion, quartered
  • 1 cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Trim and season the pork shoulder: Remove any thick chunks of fat, leaving some for flavor. Pat the meat dry with paper towels. Rub the pork all over with salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and minced garlic, massaging for about 2 minutes to coat evenly.
  2. Sear the pork: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the pork shoulder and brown all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Add aromatics and liquids: Add the quartered onion, bay leaves, orange juice, lime juice, and 1 cup of water or chicken broth around the pork. The liquid should cover about a third of the meat. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  4. Slow cook in the oven: Cover the pot with its lid and transfer to a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C). Cook for 2.5 to 3 hours until the pork is fork-tender and shreds easily. Check halfway and spoon juices over the meat.
  5. Shred the pork: Remove pork from pot and place on a cutting board. Discard bay leaves. Use two forks or fingers to shred the meat into bite-sized pieces, including some fat bits.
  6. Crisp the carnitas: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. Add shredded pork in an even layer and cook undisturbed for 3-5 minutes until golden and crispy on the bottom. Toss and repeat to crisp other sides. Alternatively, spread pork on a rimmed baking sheet and broil for 5-7 minutes, watching closely.
  7. Final seasoning and serving: Taste and adjust salt or lime juice if needed. Serve hot with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, diced onions, and salsa.

Notes

Pat pork dry before searing to ensure a good crust. Cook low and slow at 300°F for tender meat. Don’t skip the crisping step for the best texture. Save cooking liquid for soups or rice. Broiling is a great oil-free crisping method but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: carnitas, shredded pork, crispy pork, slow cooked pork, Mexican recipe, easy carnitas, pork shoulder recipe

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