Carnitas are a traditional Mexican dish made from slow-cooked pork that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Here’s a recipe for making delicious carnitas:
Ingredients:
3-4 lbs boneless pork shoulder or pork butt, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 bay leaves
1 orange, juiced
1 lime, juiced
1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Add the pork to the pot, and cook until it is browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Remove the pork from the pot, and set it aside on a plate.
Add the onion and garlic to the pot, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are soft and translucent.
Add the salt, black pepper, oregano, cumin, cinnamon, and bay leaves to the pot, and stir to combine.
Return the pork to the pot, and pour in the orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pot, and transfer it to the oven.
Cook the carnitas in the oven for 2-2.5 hours, or until the pork is tender and can be easily shredded with a fork.
Remove the pot from the oven, and use a slotted spoon to remove the pork from the liquid.
Shred the pork with two forks.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the shredded pork to the skillet, and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until it is crispy on the outside.
Serve the carnitas hot, topped with your favorite toppings, such as chopped cilantro, diced onions, avocado, and salsa.
