You can think of Carnitas, which translates to “little meats,” as the Mexican version of pulled pork. Most often served as tacos, carnitas taste warmly spiced, juicy, and slightly citrusy—they are FABULOUS.
Originating in the Mexican state of Michoacán, carnitas meat is made with pork shoulder or pork butt, a tough, marbled cut that needs low-and-slow cooking to render the fat and become succulent and tender.
Freshly shredded, carnitas taste fabulous, but what makes them truly impossible to stop eating is the way the pork is finished off.
Once the pork is cooked and shredded, the meat is fried on the stove top (or under the oven broiler) until the edges are tantalizingly crispy.
You can also eat carnitas as a filling for enchiladas, tuck them into a quesadilla, turn them into a burrito bowl, make an epic grilled cheese—there’s pretty much no wrong way to enjoy them.
Because pork butt needs long, gentle cooking, carnitas are often made in the crockpot (see my Slow Cooker Carnitas for a fantastic recipe) or a pressure cooker, which speeds things along (see Instant Pot Carnitas).
My absolute favorite way to make carnitas, however, is on the stovetop.
With this easy carnitas recipe, you can make restaurant-worthy carnitas at home!
Creating Authentic Carnitas at Home
This recipe is my best attempt to recreate the authentic street tacos I ate in Mexico, one of the best bites of my life!
Because authentic carnitas recipes call for simmering pieces of pork in lard, I found that making them on the stovetop allowed the meat to slowly cook down in its own fat and juices in a way that the crockpot and Instant Pot don’t replicate.
- On the stove, the juices cook down and concentrate, giving the meat unparalleled depth and richness.
- Think of it like stovetop chili vs. crockpot chili. Both are good, but what makes stovetop chili great is how complex and thick it gets. That complexity comes from stovetop simmering. We want the same for our carnitas.
- Once all the liquid cooks away, it’s easy to crisp the bits of the carnitas right in the pot (otherwise, you can crisp the carnitas in the oven, but the pot saves a dish).
Plus, since these carnitas are made without a crockpot, you can enjoy them even if you don’t own a slow cooker.
How to Make Carnitas
Carnitas are as much about the meat’s texture as they are the flavor.
- The bites of meat need to be ultra-juicy (we’re talking dripping-out-of-your-taco juicy), this is a given.
- What makes carnitas different than Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (in addition to the use of spices) is crispy meat that forms at the edges. It’s the best part!
With a handful of pantry spices, some citrus, and a little patience, you can create mouthwateringly tender, crispy-edged, and gloriously rich carnitas meat, right in your own kitchen.
The Ingredients
- Pork. Pork shoulder is the perfect choice for carnitas. It has a higher fat content, meaning the meat will be ultra tender, flavorful, and juicy. Pork is also packed with protein, calcium, and iron.
- Orange. Orange zest and juice add that must-have citrusy flavor and a hint of sweetness.
- Garlic + Onion. Two simple ingredients that help create big flavor.
- Spices. Chipotle chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and cloves come together to create the perfect carnitas spice blend. They make the carnitas taste smoky, earthy, and warm.
Topping Suggestions
Keep your carnitas toppings simple, or load up ‘em with all the fixin’s:
- Guacamole or avocado
- Chopped onions
- Picked Onions
- Salsa
- Cheese
- Chopped cabbage
- Cilantro
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Beans (Instant Pot Refried Beans or Crock Pot Pinto Beans)
- Limes (add a squeeze of fresh lime juice)
The Directions
- Trim and cube the pork.
- Place the pork in a large pot, then add the orange zest and juice.
- Add the garlic, onion, and spices. Pour in enough water to just cover the pork.
- Bring the pot to a boil, then let the carnitas simmer over medium-low heat for 1 1/2 hours.
- Increase the heat to medium high, then cook the carnitas for another 20 to 30 minutes.
- Stir frequently, breaking the meat apart and allowing the edges to get crispy. Pile the carnitas meat into tortillas, add toppings, and ENJOY!
How to Serve Carnitas
Once the carnitas meat is cooked, you can use it any way you like.
- Tacos. Our go-to. Try them topped with this Healthy Coleslaw or the avocado slaw from my Shrimp Tacos.
- Quesadilla. Take a note from this Pulled Pork Quesadilla, but use carnitas meat for an extra layer of Mexican flair.
- Burrito. Wrap your carnitas up in a tortilla with rice, Instant Pot Black Beans, and cheese.
- Nachos. Swap the carnitas for the chicken in these crockpot Healthy Nachos.
- Salad. Change up this Taco Salad by using carnitas in place of the ground turkey.
- Right off the Stove. You must nibble a few bites of the carnitas meat hot off the pan with your fingers. This pork recipe is that kind of good.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftover carnitas in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm carnitas on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Trim and cut the pork up to 1 day in advance. Refrigerate it in an airtight storage container until you’re ready to finish the recipe.
Leftover Ideas
Pile leftover carnitas onto a bed of lettuce for a filling salad. Add other toppings like avocado, beans, cheese, tomatoes, and green onion for extra flavor. Leftover carnitas also make a fantastic addition to an Air Fryer Grilled Cheese.
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Large Pot. Over-crowded carnitas will not be crispy carnitas. A large pot like this one is essential. A large enameled cast iron skillet for braising will also work.
- Zester. Perfect for zesting the orange.
- Measuring Spoons. These are magnetic, meaning they’ll stay neatly stored in your drawer.
Stainless Steel Saute Pan
With high sides and high-quality, durable stainless steel, this saute pan will be one you reach for constantly.
Today’s recipe is the closest I’ve come to recreating that moment of carnitas taco bliss in Mexico. I can’t wait for you to experience them too!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can make carnitas in a slow cooker instead of on the stove top. See the “Notes” section below for directions or check out my Slow Cooker Carnitas recipe instead.
Carnitas are different than pork tacos because the goal is to get the meat crispy. While pork for tacos is typically marinated and grilled (or cooked in a skillet), carnitas cook in their own drippings and then are crisped on the stovetop or in the oven under the broiler. Of course, you can use carnitas meat to make a pork taco—so think of it as not all pork tacos are carnitas tacos.
While these carnitas are packed with deep, smoky flavors and do have a bit of a kick, they aren’t burn-your-mouth-out spicy. The chipotle chile powder adds a kick, but it’s not overwhelming. If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the amount.
Carnitas
Ingredients
For the Carnitas:
- 3 1/2 to 4 pounds pork shoulder or pork butt
- 1 large orange zest and juice
- 6 cloves garlic minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1 large onion cut into 1/4-inch dice
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For Serving:
- Corn tortillas
- Pickled Onions
- Cilantro
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Trim the pork of excess fat and cut into 1-inch cubes.
- TO MAKE ON THE STOVE (see Notes section for alternative methods): Place the pork in a large pot. Zest the orange directly into the pot, then squeeze in the juice.
- Add the garlic, onion, chipotle chile powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves. Pour in enough water so that the pork is barely submerged.
- Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low, maintaining a steady simmer. With a spoon, skim off and discard any foamy scum that rises to the surface.
- Let simmer uncovered for 1 1/2 hours, adding a little more water as needed to keep the pork lightly submerged (it's OK if a few small areas poke through the surface of the liquid; you may not need to add any.
- Increase the heat to medium high. Continue cooking 20 to 30 minutes more. All of the liquid will cook away (it looks like a ton of liquid, but it will!). Stir often, until the meat breaks apart in places and has crispy pieces throughout. If at any point the meat threatens to really burn, splash in a little water and scrape the bottom of the pot. To serve, pile meat into tortillas and add toppings of choice.
Video
Notes
- TO MAKE IN A SLOW COOKER: Trim the meat as directed. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the spices, garlic, orange juice, and orange zest. Scatter the onion in the bottom of a slow cooker, then add the pork cubes on top. Pour the juice mixture over the pork, tossing to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the pork is tender. Turn your oven to broil. Shred the pork in the slow cooker using two forks, then stir the shredded pork into the sauce. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the pork and toss it with more of the sauce. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes more.
- TO MAKE IN AN INSTANT POT: Trim the pork as directed and season it with 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the spices, garlic, orange juice, and orange zest. Add the onion and 1 tablespoon oil to the Instant Pot. Saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Turn off the Instant Pot. Pour in about half of a 14-ounce can of low-sodium chicken broth, stirring with a wooden spoon to remove any stuck-on pieces of food. Add the pork, then pour in the remaining broth and the juice mixture. Stir. Close and seal the Instant Pot lid. Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Turn your oven to broil. Shred the pork in the Instant Pot, then stir the shredded pork into the sauce. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the pork to a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir the pork and toss it with more of the sauce. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes more.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover carnitas in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm carnitas on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze carnitas in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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1/2 – 4 lbs meat? How are spices adjusted with that range?
Hi Sue! No need to adjust the spices if your pork weighs between 3 1/2 – 4 pounds. Hope you enjoy it!
My boyfriend made this last night and we LOVED it!! Such wonderful flavor — warm but not spicy. Cannot stop raving about this. Another great recipe, Erin!
Hi Karen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Delicious! Your directions were clear and easy to follow. The next time I will reduce the amounts of salt – personal preference.
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! Also make sure you are using kosher salt and not table salt!
Tried these, last night. First time making homemade carnitas. Family win. Husband and 6-year-old twins… everyone loved them. This is a keeper.
Hi Jennie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!