We have the World’s Best Carolina Pulled Pork but it was high time we made the BEST Pork Carnitas Recipe and this is it. A hint of citrus, juicy meat with those classic crispy bits!
There’s a local restaurant here called, Oteos and I’m, in fact WE, are obsessed with their tacos. Cade usually goes for the steak tacos but I always get the carnitas. Their pork carnitas is the best I’ve ever had. It’s magnificently juicy and tender and there’s just the tiniest hint of citrus. You may not even catch it except they throw little bits of orange and pickled red onions on the taco with the pork. And that’s it. No crazy sauces and messes, just a clean, amazing taco.
What are Carnitas?
So what are carnitas? Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork and can be used for tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, tostadas or just to eat plain. The meat is cooked low and slow and is so tender that it practically melts in your mouth.
Where Do Carnitas Come From?
I have some Spanish abilities but even someone with minimal Spanish knowledge will know that carnitas literally means “little meats”. It originated in state of Michoacán, Mexico. Carnitas are most often made using pork and braising it in oil lard until super tender. I’ve heard of people making beef carnitas, but when I hear carnitas, I automatically think pork.
He Touched the Butt
You know that scene in Finding Nemo where Nemo is in his rebellious stage and swims off to touch the boat in spite of his dad’s warning? The 8-year-old child in me always giggles when his friend whispers to his other friend in total dismay, “he touched the butt”.
What Kind of Pork for Carnitas?
Pork butt is what you are after when it comes to carnitas. It has a higher fat content which makes the meat super juicy and tender.
What is the Difference Between Pork Shoulder and Pork Butt?
Did you know what pork shoulder and pork butt are the same thing? Pork shoulder actually comes from the pig’s shoulder, so why is it also called pork butt if it’s not coming from the pig’s toosh? This name dates back to Colonial time when Boston butchers would pack the pork shoulder in barrels that they called butts. So in this case, touch the butt all you want Nemo because it’s the best for these amazing carnitas!
Other Names for Pork Shoulder
Here are some other names that you might see tossed around for pork shoulder:
- picnic shoulder
- pork butt
- Boston butt
- Boston shoulder
- Fresh pork butt
- Boston butt roast
- Shoulder roast
What is a Brine and Why Do It?
The first step to making these BEST pork carnitas is to make the brine. For this brine we use OJ, water, apple cider vinegar, bay leaves, brown sugar, salt and a whole host of spices (cumin, oregano, dried orange peel, smoked paprika and chili powder).
Is Brining Important?
Brining is the process of adding moisture to muscle fibers within food and dissolving the proteins most often using high concentrations of salt. When pork is brined, flavors and moisture content are enhanced. Our BEST pork carnitas should be brined for a minimum of 8 hours or overnight. Brining is an absolute must!
Dry Rub for Pork Carnitas
The next step to making our BEST pork carnitas is the dry rub. It packs this pork with the best flavor! After the pork has brined, pull it out of the liquid and pat it dry with paper towels. Then rub that butt completely with the dry rub (salt, oregano, dried orange peel, onion powder, garlic powder and ground coriander).
Why Dry Rub?
The dry rub is the key to getting that crusty exterior that is to die for! Set that butt in a roasting pan with the roasting liquids and it cooks low and slow at 225 degrees for 12-14 hours. I always check the internal temperature at 12 hours and it has almost always been done. An internal temp of 200 degrees is the magic number you are looking for. That is the temp where pork shoulder becomes perfectly shreddable!
Why is it Important to Let Meat Rest?
Meat likes to rest after it comes out of the oven or off the grill. I get it, meat! I love me a good rest too! Resting allows the juices to redistribute and reabsorb back into the meat. It makes the meat more tender and juicy. We allow our pork to rest for up to 2 hours before shredding it.
Toppings for Tacos
We like to keep the toppings simple on these pork carnitas tacos just like Oteo’s because the meat is so dang good. Feel free to do as much or as little as you want for toppings. Some fresh pico de gallo would be delicious on these! My kids like to load them up with cheese, of course! What is it with kids and cheese? Oh, I know…it’s because cheese is delicious! But seriously, just a little cilantro, some pickled red onions and little bits of fresh orange is all these need.
Can Carnitas be Frozen?
Yes, carnitas make a great freezer meal! To freeze them, allow them to cool completely and transfer them to a freezer bag. Leave a little bit of extra room in the bag since the meat will expand when freezing. Frozen carnitas should be eaten within 2-3 months.
Pork Carnitas in the Slow Cooker
These pork carnitas can definitely be done in the slow cooker. Follow the instructions as written and then cook them on low in the slow cooker for 8 – 10 hours. After the meat has rested, you will still want to crisp the meat in a pan on the stove top.
Mexican RECIPES
Looking for more outrageously good Mexican recipes?
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Pineapple Mexican Shredded Chicken
- Smothered Honey Lime Chicken Burritos
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker Smothered BBQ Beef Burritos
- Crock Pot Cafe Rio Chicken Copycat
- Our Favorite Steak Fajitas Marinade
- Authentic Carne Asada Tacos
The BEST Pork Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
Brine
- 2 Cups Orange Juice
- 4 Cups Water
- 2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Oregano
- 1 Tablespoon Dried Orange Peel
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
Pork Rub
- 3-4 Lb Pork Butt bone-in * see notes for using boneless or cubed pork shoulder
- 2 Tablespoons Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Oregano
- 1 1/2 Teaspoons Dried Orange Peel
- 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Coriander
Cooking
- Canola Oil for Final Crisping
- 1/2 Cup Orange Juice
- 1/4 Cup Lime Juice
- 1/4 Cup Chicken Broth
Instructions
For the Brine
- Combine all brine ingredients in a large pot and stir to combine.
- Add the pork and place a lid on then stick it in the fridge for 8 hours or overnight.
For the Pork
- Heat the oven to 225.
- Remove the pork from the brine and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix the rub together and rub all over the pork.
- Mix together the liquids and pour in the bottom of the roasting pan.
- Add the pork.
- Cook for 12-14 hours or until 200 degrees.
- Remove the meat and let rest for up 2 hours.
- Shred the meat and place the liquids in a fat separator.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium high heat.
- Add the shredded pork in small amounts and toss as it begins to crisp. Remove to a pan and repeat until all batches are done.
- Toss with a little of the juices from the fat separator and serve!
Notes
Nutrition
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I am planning on putting this in the slow cooker tomorrow (in brine tonight). Should the meat be dry when it is in the slow cooker?
You will want to dry it off after you take it out of the brine and then add the dry rub to it. Place it in the slow cooker and then add the mixture of orange juice, lime juice and chicken broth to the slow cooker around the bottom of the pork butt. Don’t pour it on top of the pork so you don’t wash off the dry rub. Does that make sense? Enjoy!
Any tips for time and setting to convert for slow-cooker
Absolutely! I’ll add a section in the post. Such a great question! Do the exact same process and cook on low in the slow cooker for 8-10 hours. You will still want to crisp them up in on the stove top at the end. enjoy!
I’m sorry, but this pork did not have a good flavor. It was actually quite bizarre. I tasted the rub prior to using it and it was delicious and it smelled wonderful while it was cooking. I’m thinking maybe the brine is the reason for the bad taste after the pork had cooked. I had made this for a family dinner and it tasted so bad that we had to order a pizza instead. I’m Cuban and have made many pork butts in my life. I was in the mood to try a different recipe, however this one, unfortunately is not a good one. I really wanted to love this but something is very wrong with this recipe.
Did you drain the brine before cooking it? There’s no way it had a bad flavor if you followed the brine recipe and cooking instructions correctly. It is so tasty!
Hi!
I have been cooking for over 30 years and I LOVE your recipes. I have never made carnitas at home before and my husband and I are excited to try this recipe. It is cooking in the oven as we speak. As this is my first time making this I am a little unsure if things are going correctly! I would love your feedback when convenient.
Two questions:
1. Should the roast be covered?
2. I was unsure if the roast should sit above the liquid (on a rack) while in the pan. I ended up using my turkey roasting pan with a small rack to keep above the liquid. I have had to refill liquid twice after 6 hours of cooking because it had evaporated and burned slightly.
Thank you!!!
Hi Faith! Great questions! I’m probably too late now, but I hope they turned out well. For the next time you make them, it should be uncovered and it can sit right in the juices in the roasting pan.
I didn’t see the note about using bone-in bs boneless pork, is there much difference in prepping/cooking them?
Dang, our notes keep disappearing on us! Ugh! I’ll add it back in. thank you Serena! he only difference is that it will probably be done sooner so keep your eye on it!
Going to have to try this! Curious about the crisping process as well. Also there’s a bit of discrepancy between the instructions up top and in the actual recipe. Is the cooking temperature 200 or 225 degrees? And I’m assuming the meat is done when it reaches 145 degrees like you say above and not 200 degrees as stated in the recipe?
Hey Stephanie! Sorry for the confusion! The internal temp should be 200…that is when it is ready to be shredded. We have updated the instruction to clear up the crisping process too! Thank you for the feedback so we could get that all clarified!
I love Carnitas but have never made it at home. Your list of ingredients calls for oil for final crisping but your instructions don’t mention a final crisping. Also, unless one gets up at 2am to put this in the oven, it won’t be ready for dinner. Do you think the meat could be refrigerated and then before serving have the final crisping, which would also reheat it? Looking forward to trying this.
I also wondered about the oil mentioned as “final crisping”.
Hey Amy! We have updated the instructions to clarify this! Let us know if you have any further questions! Thank you for letting us know!
Hey Denise! We usually throw the pork into the oven right before going to bed at night…like at 11pm or so. Then if it cooks for 12-14 hours, rests for 2 and then you do the final crisping, it’s ready right in time for dinner. You’re going to love these carnitas! We have updated the instructions to clarify the final crisping too!