Traditional Carnitas (Mexican Pork Confit)

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🇲🇽 Traditional Carnitas (Mexican Pork Confit)

Carnitas, meaning “little meats” in Spanish, is a beloved Mexican dish made by slow-cooking pork in its own fat (a confit method) until it’s meltingly tender inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. This authentic recipe brings the deep flavor and satisfying texture of real carnitas straight to your kitchen.

🧂 Ingredients

  • 3 to 3.5 lbs pork butt (or pork shoulder), boneless
  • 4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb lard (for traditional cooking)
  • 2 tsp Mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 1 orange – juice and peel
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 5 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 5 oz evaporated milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 6 oz Mexican Coca-Cola (real sugar version)

🔪 Instructions

1. Prep the Pork

  • Cut pork into 6 large, even chunks.
  • Coat all sides with salt.
  • Let rest for 1 hour (or ideally overnight in the fridge for maximum flavor).

2. Render the Lard

  • In a large heavy-bottomed pot, melt the lard over medium heat.
  • Use a wooden spoon to check the temperature: it’s ready when bubbles form around the wood.
  • Add pork chunks to the pot (lard should cover 80% of the meat).

3. Sear the Pork

  • Cook uncovered for 20 minutes, turning occasionally to avoid burning.
  • Flip and cook for another 20 minutes.
  • Maintain temperature around 250°F (120°C).

4. Add Flavorings

  • Lower heat and stir in:
    • Onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, cloves, bay leaves, orange juice + peel, water, and evaporated milk.
  • Simmer gently at 200–220°F (93–104°C) for 1.5 hours.

5. Finish with Cola

  • Add the Mexican Coca-Cola.
  • Continue cooking uncovered for 20 minutes until the pork caramelizes beautifully.

6. Shred and Crisp

  • Remove pork and let rest.
  • Shred with your fingers or forks—it should fall apart easily.
  • Return shredded meat to the hot fat briefly to crisp up if desired.

🌮 Serving Suggestions

Carnitas is versatile and flavorful. Try it in:

  • Street Tacos: with warm corn tortillas, cilantro, onion, and a squeeze of lime.
  • Burritos: wrap with beans, rice, salsa, and cheese.
  • Tostadas: layer with refried beans, lettuce, crema, and avocado.
  • Quesadillas: oozy cheese and crisped pork in a golden tortilla.
  • Carnitas Plates: with Mexican rice, refried beans, and fresh salsa.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Authentic confit-style texture and flavor
  • Caramelized edges with juicy, tender pork
  • Great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping
  • Tastes even better the next day!

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