Carnitas Recipe (Mexican Pulled Pork) 🌮🐖
This Carnitas recipe makes the juiciest, most flavorful Mexican pulled pork with crispy, golden edges. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or bowls, this slow-cooked dish is packed with citrusy, savory flavors that melt in your mouth!
Ingredients
For the Carnitas:
✔️ 4 lb boneless pork roast (pork butt or pork shoulder)
✔️ 3 tsp fine sea salt (or 2 1/2 tsp table salt)
✔️ 1 tsp ground black pepper
✔️ 1 tsp dried oregano
✔️ 1 large yellow onion, diced
✔️ 5 garlic cloves
✔️ 4 Tbsp lime juice (from 2 limes)
✔️ 1/2 cup orange juice (from 2 oranges)
✔️ 1 cup chicken broth
✔️ 2 bay leaves (optional)
Instructions
1. Season the Pork
- Pat the pork dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, and oregano and rub it all over the pork.
2. Assemble the Slow Cooker
- Add diced onion, whole garlic cloves, chicken broth, lime juice, orange juice, and bay leaves into the slow cooker.
- Place the seasoned pork roast on top.
3. Slow Cook the Pork
- Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 7-9 hours, until the meat is fall-apart tender.
4. Shred the Pork
- Transfer the cooked pork to a rimmed baking sheet.
- Shred using two forks, then drizzle 1/2 cup of the cooking juices over the meat for extra flavor.
5. Crisp the Carnitas
- Set the oven to broil.
- Broil shredded pork for 5-7 minutes, stirring halfway, until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
- Use carnitas in tacos, burritos, tostadas, or rice bowls.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro, onions, and lime wedges.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Easy to make – Just season, slow-cook, and crisp!
✅ Juicy & flavorful – Citrus juices add authentic Mexican flavors.
✅ Perfect for meal prep – Leftovers taste even better the next day!
🔥 Now it’s time to dig in! What will you serve your carnitas with? Let me know! 🌮😊