Our full recipe guide on how to make Carnitas the most popular dishes in Mexico.
Making authentic carnitas involves slow-cooking pork until it’s tender enough to shred, then crisping it up before serving.
This delicious Mexican dish is perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply served with tortillas and salsa. Here’s how you can make authentic carnitas at home, along with some tips and calorie information.
Read here best fruits in Mexico, drinks in Mexico, best Mexican dishes and traditional Mexican Food, the most popular non alcoholic drinks and Vegetarian Food in Mexico
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How to Make Carnitas
Carnitas Recipe Ingredients
3-4 lbs pork shoulder (cut into large chunks)
1 onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 orange (cut in half)
1 lime (optional)
3-4 cups chicken stock or water (enough to cover the pork)
2 bay leaves
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Step By Step How to Make Carnitas
- Prepare the Pork
Rinse and dry the pork shoulder, then season it with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
- Cook the Pork
Place the pork in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the quartered onion, minced garlic, bay leaves, and the juice of the orange (put the juiced halves in the pot as well).
Pour in enough chicken stock or water to just cover the pork. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and let it cook for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the pork is very tender and falls apart easily.
- Crisp the Pork
Once the pork is tender, remove it from the liquid and shred it with forks. Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the shredded pork and cook until the edges are crisp and browned.
- Serve
Serve the carnitas with warm tortillas, cilantro, diced onions, lime wedges, and salsa.
Tips To Make Carnitas
Use pork shoulder as it has enough fat to stay moist during cooking. Cook the pork at a low temperature for several hours to ensure it becomes tender.
After the pork is tender, crisping it in a hot skillet or under a broiler adds a delicious texture. Adding citrus like orange or lime to the cooking liquid infuses the meat with a subtle but distinctive flavor that enhances the carnitas.
How Many Calories Have Carnitas
A single serving of carnitas (about 4 ounces of cooked meat) contains approximately 250-300 calories, depending on the cut of the pork and the cooking method. Keep in mind that additional toppings and tortillas will increase the calorie count of the meal.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.