One-Pot Wonders

The Best Pork Carnitas

January  2, 2022
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Photo by Emily Romeo
  • Prep time 20 minutes
  • Cook time 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Serves 4-6 people
Author Notes

This recipe is easy and versatile. It can be used in many different applications. Street tacos, nachos, or even on its own with a side of rice and beans would be delicious. I recommend having some tangy pickled red onions on hand as well. It's a great combination! I hope you enjoy! —Emily Romeo

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 4-6 lb. pork shoulder, boneless
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 quart boxed chicken stock
  • 1 small can of chipotle sauce (or canned chipotle peppers in adobo, blended until smooth)
  • 1/2 large vidalia onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 lime
  • salt and pepper
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Cut pork shoulder into 4-5 smaller pieces. Trim any large areas of fat, if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat dutch oven over medium/high heat. Drizzle in oil.
  4. Working in batches, brown all sides of pork. Just until a crust begins to form. Remove and set aside.
  5. Turn heat down to medium/low. Add in onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant. 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add in a splash of chicken stock. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up brown bits from bottom of pot.
  7. Stir in can of chipotle sauce and spices and bring to a slight simmer.
  8. Place pieces of pork back into pot and pour in enough chicken stock to come about half way up the sides. Pork should not be totally covered. Gently stir.
  9. Cover pot with lid and transfer to oven.
  10. Cook 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork. *Check meat at 2 hours then adjust time accordingly.
  11. Remove pork from pot and place on cutting board. Shred using two forks.
  12. Place shredded pork back into pot with cooking liquid. Stir.
  13. Finish with a squeeze of lime before serving.

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