Carnitas Easy Shredded Pork
Discover the ultimate recipe for Carnitas Easy Shredded Pork—a tender, flavorful, and versatile dish that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or rice bowls! Made with seasoned pork shoulder slow-cooked to perfection in a zesty blend of fresh orange juice, lime juice, and aromatic spices like cumin and oregano, this recipe guarantees juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meat every time. With just 15 minutes of prep and the option to crisp up the edges for that authentic carnitas experience, this dish strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and bold flavor. Ideal for family dinners or meal prep, this crowd-pleasing dish is a must-try for pork lovers!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless or bone-in, trimmed)
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 cups Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.25 cups Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 cups Chicken broth or water
- 2 pieces Bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil (for searing, optional)
Instructions
Trim excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks, about 3-4 inches in size.
In a small bowl, mix together the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ground cumin, and oregano.
Rub the spice mixture all over the pork chunks, ensuring even coverage.
Place the seasoned pork in a slow cooker or large Dutch oven. Add the orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth or water, and bay leaves.
If using a slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the pork is fork-tender. If using a Dutch oven, cover and cook in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 4-5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure there is enough liquid.
Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker or Dutch oven and place it on a large cutting board. Discard the bay leaves.
Shred the pork using two forks, removing any large pieces of fat as you go. Return the shredded pork to the cooking liquid to keep it moist and flavorful.
For crispy carnitas (optional), heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shredded pork in batches and cook until the edges are browned and crispy, about 3-5 minutes per batch.
Serve the carnitas warm in tacos, burritos, rice bowls, or however you prefer. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
612 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 49.1 g | 63% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.3 g | 81% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 159 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 753 mg | 33% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 3.4 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.3 g | 1% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g | ||
| Protein | 41.4 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 39 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 679 mg | 14% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
