Go Back
–+ servings
The Best Pork Carnitas by Marvel & Make at marvelandmake.com

The Best Pork Carnitas

Carnitas is a classic Mexican dish that all rests on slow-cooked meat and subtle seasonings. This Easy Pork Carnitas recipe is perfect every time and guaranteed not to disappoint.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 12 people
Calories 247 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 lb Boston Butt
  • 1-1½ tbsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Orange, juiced
  • 1 Whole head of Garlic, chopped
  • 2 Bay Leaves, crushed
  • ¼ cup Olive oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250°F. Cut the Boston Butt pork roast into cubes roughly 2" each. Do not remove the fat! Discard the bone if there is one.*
    4-6 lb Boston Butt
  • Place meat into a large oven safe pan. (I use a lasagna dish for larger roasts or a Braising pan for smaller ones - you want the meat to be in one layer in the pan.)
  • Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly with your *clean* hands.
    1-1½ tbsp Salt, 1 tsp Cumin, 1 tsp Black Pepper, ½ tsp Cinnamon, 1 Orange, juiced, 1 Whole head of Garlic, chopped, 2 Bay Leaves, crushed, ¼ cup Olive oil
  • Cover tightly with heavy aluminum foil (I use foil and a lid if I have one that fits). Carefully place in preheated oven and cook for 3 hours.
  • Check after three hours, meat should be tender and falling apart. Using tongs, remove meat from pan and place on a cookie sheet. Shred meat.
  • Drain the liquid from the pan through a mesh sieve. Pour ¼ - ½ cups of liquid (just enough to get it moist) over meat. Turn oven to Hi broil and place shredded meat in oven for about 5 minutes, or until it browns. Remove from heat and serve.
  • Carnitas meat is great on corn tortillas as tacos with fresh cilantro, red onion, and queso fresco. You can also serve them along side red rice and refried beans.

Video

Notes

*I use pork bones for making stock. Freeze it if you don't have time in the moment.

Nutrition

Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 29gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 971mgPotassium: 543mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 31IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 2mg
Keyword bay leaves, boston butt, carnitas, cinnamon, cumin, garlic, mexican dish, olive oil, orange, orange juice, pork, pork roast, taco meat, tacos
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!