Simple Carnitas Recipe
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Simple Carnitas

By: Ken from CA 
"This the easiest recipe for tasty carnitas. Once cooked, the meat can also be shredded and mixed with BBQ sauce for incredible pulled pork sandwiches, or pan fried in a little oil until crisp on the outside."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.7 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (142)

Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
1 Hr 45 Min
Ready In:
3 Hrs

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 2 1/2 pounds
 

Ingredients

  • 1 (3 1/2) pound boneless pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 2 oranges, quartered
  • 1 large white onion, quartered
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
  • 1/4 cup kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  • 2 bay leaves

Directions

  1. Place the pork shoulder, oranges, onion, garlic, kosher salt, cumin, black peppercorns, and bay leaves into a large Dutch oven. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 10 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Cover loosely, and simmer until the meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Allow the pork to cool, covered, in the broth for 1 hour. Shred the meat with two forks.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 188 | Total Fat: 9.6g | Cholesterol: 63mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 28, 2009 by Ken from CA   view full review
I need to clarify a few things. First, carnitas are heavily seasoned but not flavored. ...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Sep. 29, 2009 by Marianne Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Ken, this is a winner, a five star! I bought that huge package from Costco that contains...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 27, 2009 by CookinBug Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Fantastic! My roast was frozen solid, so I threw it in the slow cooker whole, along with...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 5, 2010 by Kathleen Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Unbelievable! I can hardly shred the meat without eating at least half of it! My only changes...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 18, 2011 by Traci's Kitchen   view full review
Wow this was awesome! My whole family loved it and it smelled wonderful while simmering! I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 1, 2011 by Love2cook   view full review
OUTSTANDING!! Did add a 1/2 bottle Bass Pale Ale beer and Chicken Stock plus little water,...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Feb. 3, 2010 by LadySparkle Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
oh - my - merciful - heavens. Here's what happened. I got a deal on a bone - in shoulder. Over...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Jun. 1, 2009 by ChristineD   view full review
LOVED it!!! I used pork sirloin because that was what I had. Threw everything into the crock...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 30, 2009 by Jaxmamma   view full review
This was on my menu for new recipe night and is now going into my favorites! The only thing I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.7 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 31, 2009 by JOSEPHINE ♥ ALLRECIPES   view full review
This was delicous. I've never had carnitas before so was unsure what to expect. After tasting...

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