How to Make Carnitas

Carnitas are seasoned, tender, caramelized, shredded pork. I'm going to break down how to make carnitas in the oven, crockpot, and Instant Pot.

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What I love about this authentic carnitas recipe

• It's tender, juicy, and flavorful
• Carnitas can be made in the oven, crockpot, or Instant Pot depending on your preference
• The crispy, caramelized bits of pork add incredible crunch and flavor
• They are so versatile that they go well with so many dishes

ingredients you'll need for pulled pork carnitas

• boneless pork butt or shoulder
• avocado oil (or any other high smoke point oil)
• kosher salt
• ground black pepper
• beef stock
• oranges
• lime
• ground cumin
• chili powder
• dried oregano
• ground coriander
• onion
• garlic
• jalapeno

how to make this carnitas recipe in the oven

Detailed instructions and measurements to make carnitas are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
3. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
5. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the Dutch oven. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
7. Add the pork back to the dutch oven and bring to a simmer uncovered.
8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the pot and bake in the oven for 2 hours.
9. Remove the pot from the oven. Turn on the broiler.
10. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
11. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
12. Place the pot on the stove (with only the cooking liquid remaining inside) and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
13. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
14. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

how to make pork carnitas in the slow cooker

1. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
2. In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
3. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
4. Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the frying pan. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pan by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
5. When the pan has de-glazed completely, pour the stock into the crockpot. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
6. Add the pork to the crockpot.
7. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. I do not recommend cooking on high.
8. Once cooked, preheat the broiler.
9. Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
10. Strain the liquid that is left in the crockpot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
11. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
12. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
13. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

how to make pork carnitas in the instant pot

1. Turn the Instant Pot on to the SAUTE function.
2. Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
3. Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot.
4. Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
5. Press CANCEL and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
6. When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
7. Add the pork back to the Instant Pot.
8. Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
9. Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 1 hour.
10. QUICK RELEASE the pressure.
11. Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
12. Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
13. Turn the SAUTE function back on the Instant Pot with only the cooking liquid remaining inside. Boil until it begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
14. Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
15. Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions

how to lower calories or ww points

A majority of the calories and WW points for this recipe come from the cut of pork and the final calorie count does not account for the fact that the fat has been skimmed off. I don't recommend changing your cut of pork.

A great way to keep the calories and WW points lower with carnitas is to serve it burrito bowl style.

ways to use and serve carnitas

• burritos
• quesadillas
• enchiladas
• tacos
• burrito bowls
• topped with a fried egg
• nachos

Mexican food recipes you might like

• Mexican Shredded Beef
• Crockpot Mexican Chili
• Tex Mex Lasagna

Other recipes you might like

• Slow Cooker Sweet Pulled Pork
• Crockpot Carne Asada
• Southwest Chicken & Rice Skillet

How to Make Carnitas

Carnitas are seasoned, tender, caramelized, shredded pork. I'm going to break down how to make carnitas in the oven, crockpot, and Instant Pot.

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Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 2 hrs

Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins

Course Dinner, Main Course, Main Dish, Main Dishes

Cuisine Mexican, Tex-Mex

Servings 12 servings

Calories 227 kcal

Protein 35 g

Equipment

• dutch oven, crockpot, or pressure cooker
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• sheet pan

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x4x

• 4 pounds boneless pork butt or shoulder cut into 4 pieces
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil or any other high smoke point oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups low sodium beef stock
• 2 whole oranges juiced
• 1 whole lime juiced
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 whole onion chopped
• 5 whole garlic cloves chopped
• 1 whole jalapeno chopped (seeds and ribs removed for less heat)

Instructions

 

Oven Method

• Preheat the oven to 300°F.
• Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
• In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
• Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
• Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the Dutch oven. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
• When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
• Add the pork back to the dutch oven and bring to a simmer uncovered.
• Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the pot and bake in the oven for 2 hours.
• Remove the pot from the oven. Turn on the broiler.
• Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
• Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
• Place the pot on the stove (with only the cooking liquid remaining inside) and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
• Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
• Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Slow Cooker Method

• Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
• In a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the avocado oil.
• Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
• Turn the heat down to low and remove the pork from the frying pan. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pan by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
• When the pan has de-glazed completely, pour the stock into the crockpot. Add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
• Add the pork to the crockpot.
• Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the crockpot and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. I do not recommend cooking on high.
• Once cooked, preheat the broiler.
• Remove the pork from the crockpot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
• Strain the liquid that is left in the crockpot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
• Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and boil until it begins to thicken about 20 minutes.
• Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
• Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Instant Pot Method

• Turn the Instant Pot on to the SAUTE function.
• Season all sides of the pork with your kosher salt and ground black pepper.
• Add the avocado oil to the Instant Pot.
• Once the avocado oil has heated through and become shimmery, sear each side of the pork. You are only searing the outside, not cooking through. Each side will only need about 1 minute.
• Press CANCEL and remove the pork from the Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock. De-glaze the pot by scraping the bits off the bottom and stir them into the stock.
• When the pot has de-glazed completely, add in the orange juice, lime juice, ground cumin, chili powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Stir to combine.
• Add the pork back to the Instant Pot.
• Place the onion, garlic, and jalapeno on top of the pork. You do not need to stir it in. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve to SEALING.
• Cook on HIGH PRESSURE for 1 hour.
• QUICK RELEASE the pressure.
• Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a baking sheet and shred it.
• Strain the liquid that is left in the pot to remove the fat. You can also spoon it out if you prefer.
• Turn the SAUTE function back on the Instant Pot with only the cooking liquid remaining inside. Boil until it begins to thicken, about 10-15 minutes.
• Mix the liquid with the meat on the baking sheet. Spread out evenly and broil for 3-5 minutes, just until the edges are crispy. You only want the edges crispy, not the entire piece.
• Remove from the broiler and serve it your favorite way!

Notes

My favorite way to make them that I feel yields the best results is in the oven. 

Do not skip the broiling steps. This is what makes them carnitas instead of just pulled pork. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

How to Make Carnitas

Serving Size

 

1 serving

Amount per Serving

Calories

227

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

9

g

14

%

Saturated Fat

 

3

g

19

%

Trans Fat

 

0

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

1

g

Cholesterol

 

83

mg

28

%

Sodium

 

482

mg

21

%

Carbohydrates

 

3

g

1

%

Fiber

 

1

g

4

%

Sugar

 

1

g

1

%

Protein

 

35

g

70

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword carnitas, crockpot, instant pot, oven, pork

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