Carnitas

Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Popular
Health score
19%
Carnitas
160 min.
8
240kcal

Suggestions


If you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends, look no further than this mouthwatering carnitas recipe! Perfectly seasoned and slow-cooked to perfection, these tender, flavorful pork pieces are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are sure to become a favorite in your household.

What makes this carnitas recipe truly special is its versatility. Whether you're serving it for lunch, dinner, or as a main dish at a gathering, it fits seamlessly into any occasion. Plus, it's gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. With just a few simple ingredients, including chili powder, cumin, and fresh citrus juices, you can create a dish that bursts with flavor and is incredibly satisfying.

The cooking methods offered—whether you choose to sear the pork on the stovetop, bake it in the oven, or let it simmer in a slow cooker—allow for flexibility in your cooking style. The result? Juicy, shredded pork that can be enjoyed on its own or used as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. With a caloric breakdown that balances protein, fat, and carbs, this dish is not only delicious but also nutritious.

So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to indulge in a dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Enjoy the rich flavors and the delightful aroma that will fill your kitchen as you prepare this incredible carnitas recipe!

Ingredients

  • tablespoon chili powder 
  • teaspoon cumin 
  • cloves garlic chopped
  • 0.3 cup juice of lime ( - 2 limes)
  • tablespoon oil 
  • 0.8 cup orange juice ( - 2 oranges)
  • teaspoon oregano 
  • 0.5 teaspoon pepper 
  • pound butt fat trimmed cut into 2 inch pieces
  • teaspoon salt 
  • cups water (or beer)

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • baking sheet
  • oven
  • slow cooker

Directions

  1. Season the pork with the salt.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, add the pork, sear on all sides and set aside. (optional)
  3. Add 1 cup water and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. (optional)
  4. Add everything to the pan, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, until the pork is falling apart tender, about 2-3 hours. OR
  5. Add everything to the pan, bring to a boil, transfer to a preheated 300F oven and bake, covered, until the pork is falling apart tender, about 2 hours. OR
  6. Place everything in a slow cooker and cook until the pork is falling apart tender, about 4-5 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low.
  7. Remove the pork from the liquid and set aside to cool before shredding and removing any fat.Meanwhile, skim any fat from the liquid and simmer to reduce to 1 cup.
  8. Mix the liquid into the pork, spread it out in a single layer on baking sheet, broil until crispy on top, about 4-6 minutes, flip and broil until crispy, about 4-6 minutes.Enjoy on by itself or in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, etc.

Nutrition Facts

Calories240kcal
Protein46.9%
Fat45.59%
Carbs7.51%

Properties

Glycemic Index
15.5
Glycemic Load
1.4
Inflammation Score
-6
Nutrition Score
18.20260870975%

Flavonoids

Eriodictyol
0.21mg
Hesperetin
3.46mg
Naringenin
0.53mg
Myricetin
0.04mg
Quercetin
0.12mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:239.54kcal
11.98%
Fat:11.9g
18.31%
Saturated Fat:3.59g
22.42%
Carbohydrates:4.41g
1.47%
Net Carbohydrates:3.79g
1.38%
Sugar:2.18g
2.43%
Cholesterol:92.69mg
30.9%
Sodium:416.33mg
18.1%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:27.55g
55.1%
Vitamin B1:1.25mg
83.56%
Selenium:41.29µg
58.99%
Vitamin B6:0.63mg
31.5%
Vitamin B3:6.17mg
30.84%
Zinc:4.45mg
29.66%
Phosphorus:291.58mg
29.16%
Vitamin B2:0.46mg
26.82%
Vitamin B12:1.16µg
19.37%
Vitamin C:15.5mg
18.79%
Potassium:561.96mg
16.06%
Iron:2.21mg
12.29%
Vitamin B5:1.21mg
12.13%
Magnesium:36.48mg
9.12%
Copper:0.18mg
8.8%
Vitamin A:363.33IU
7.27%
Vitamin E:0.77mg
5.13%
Manganese:0.1mg
5.04%
Vitamin K:4.17µg
3.97%
Folate:15.61µg
3.9%
Calcium:37.83mg
3.78%
Fiber:0.62g
2.48%