Stovetop Carnitas Recipe
Stovetop Carnitas are cooked low and slow with fresh citrus and spices, then crisped to perfection. This flavorful pork is great for tacos, burritos, or serving with rice, beans, and toppings.
Servings: 8
Calories: 517kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Pickled Jalapeño and Red Onion
- 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 jalapeño seeded and cut into rings
- 1/2 red onion sliced thinly
Citrus Carnitas
- 1 (3-4) lb boneless pork shoulder or pork butt excess fat removed
- juice of 5 limes
- juice of 2 oranges
- 4 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 serrano pepper seeds removed and minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 16 corn tortillas or flour tortillas
Garnishes
- 1 large avocado sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese
- lime wedges
- pickled jalapeño and red onion
Instructions
Pickled Jalapeño and Red Onion
- In a small saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine the lime juice, vinegar, sugar, salt, and jalapeño. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the onion to a bowl or container (that has a lid) and pour the warm vinegar mixture over the top. Let cool for 15 minutes, then place in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes.
For the Carnitas
- Trim any excess fat off of the pork shoulder and cut it into 2" pieces. Place the meat into a large Dutch oven with a lid. Add the lime juice, orange juice, garlic, serrano pepper, chili powder, coriander, cumin, and salt. Add water to cover the pork (level to the top of the meat). Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce to medium-low, cook for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking on medium (or a simmer) for 2 hours.
- At the very end, the liquid should have reduced substantially. Turn the heat up to medium-high and cook until all of the liquid has been absorbed. Carefully stir the pork until it becomes brown and crispy on the edges, but be careful not to burn it! Remove and serve immediately.
Notes
-Pickled peppers and onions can be made up to 3 days in advance.
STORE leftover Citrus Pork Carnitas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To FREEZE, let the pork cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months.
When ready to REHEAT, thaw in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. To keep the crispy texture, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. For a quick option, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, but the stovetop will maintain the best texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1451mg | Potassium: 1192mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1070IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 4mg
