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Crispy Homemade Pork Carnitas

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A comforting and easy recipe for tender, juicy pork carnitas with perfectly crispy edges, made using simple ingredients and a slow braising method followed by a quick crisping step.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston butt)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
  • Juice from 1 lime
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 1½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth

Instructions

  1. Pat the pork shoulder dry and trim off any excessively large chunks of fat, leaving some for flavor. Cut into 3-inch chunks.
  2. Mix cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Rub seasoning evenly over pork pieces.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown pork pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining tablespoon of oil, then sauté onion and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Pour in orange juice, lime juice, and broth or water. Scrape browned bits from the bottom. Add bay leaves.
  6. Return pork to pot, nestling into liquid halfway up the meat. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and transfer to a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C). Braise for 2 to 2½ hours until pork is tender and shreddable.
  7. Remove pork from oven. Shred meat with forks or tongs in the braising liquid. Discard bay leaves.
  8. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil if needed. Spread shredded pork in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3-5 minutes until bottom crisps. Flip and crisp the other side as desired.

Notes

Keep an eye on the pork during crisping to avoid burning. Save the braising liquid for serving or as a sauce base. Adjust seasoning after shredding but before crisping. For a smoky twist, add smoked paprika or chipotle peppers. Leftovers reheat well and can be crisped again for freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: pork carnitas, crispy pork, homemade carnitas, slow braised pork, Mexican recipe, easy pork recipe, tender pork, carnitas tacos

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-homemade-pork-carnitas-recipe-perfect-for-tender-juicy-meals/