Serve up these Carnitas for dinner and you’ll have some very happy faces at the table.
You can use Carnitas to make all sorts of meals, but a simple taco topped with a sharp Salsa Verde is my default option. I’ll list details for that in the recipe box below, but feel free to get creative with these juicy, succulent Carnitas as they are wildly versatile!
How To Make Carnitas
But please don’t skip the brine the first time you make these! Giving the pork shoulder a quick brine is a gamechanger that gives the Carnitas a moist, savory flavor that will keep you coming back for more.
Truth be told, if you go back in time you’ll find Carnitas being cooked in gobs of lard. Yes, this helps keep the pork chunks moist during the long cooking process, but the amount of lard you need is quite cumbersome and I don’t think it’s a sustainable method for most peeps, including me.
Luckily you can skip the lard and get equally good flavor if you give the pork a quick brine. Brining the pork in a simple saltwater mixture will help it retain moisture during the low-and-slow cooking.
So what happens if you don’t brine the pork? The chunks that don’t have a lot of fat in them will dry out during the cook and taste a little bland. When you combine it with the other fixings it’s still going to be a satisfying meal, but the brine really takes it to another level so I highly recommend trying it.
Open any cookbook and you’ll typically see brining times for pork in the 12-24 hour range. So…you want me to plan for tomorrow’s dinner…today? Dream on!
I’m the same way. Tonight’s food is enough of a challenge, so don’t make me plan for tomorrow!
But if you cut the pork shoulder into 2″ chunks before submerging it in the brine then you can get away with an hour long swim in the saltwater mixture. Yes, an hour!
And it makes a world of difference. Not only is some of the saltwater absorbed during the brine for some added flava, but the salt also helps the pork retain moisture during the cooking process. More info on brining.
As a side note, brining times in general will vary based on the density of the meat, with chicken and seafood needing far less time than denser meats. I will sometimes brine a chicken breast for just 20 minutes and still get a massive upgrade in flavor (as in this Pipian Verde recipe). So in the future when you see brining times listed in a recipe just know that it’s all negotiable!
Okay, enough brine talk, let’s get cooking.
Start with 2-2.5 lbs. pork shoulder and cut it into 2″ pieces.
Add 2 quarts of cold water to a bowl that’s large enough to house the pork. Add 1/2 cup of Kosher or sea salt and stir to dissolve. Kosher or sea salt are typically recommended for brining as they don’t have any additives.
Add the pork pieces and if they aren’t fully submerged you can add a bit more water.
Cover and let it brine in the fridge for an hour.
Once brined remove the pork chunks and pat them dry. Add them to a mixing bowl along with:
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
freshly cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Combine well so that the pork is coated with the oil.
Add the pork to a casserole dish along with:
1 orange
1/2 onion
1 jalapeno
4 garlic cloves
I usually squeeze the orange over the pork and then nestle the chunks amongst the meat.
Pork shoulder responds well to low-and-slow cooking so we’ll give this 3 hours in a 300F oven. Be sure to cover tightly with foil so that it retains moisture.
Here’s how this batch looked after three hours.
Yum!
When you can stick a fork in a chunk with minimal effort then you know it’s done. If it’s still firm then give it another half hour or until it’s fork tender.
Give the pork a taste test. It should be well seasoned, moist, succulent. Brine for the win!
Equally important though is the resting liquid. Give it a taste.
It has one of the most satisfying flavors on this entire site! Hints of sweet citrus, heat from the jalapeno, savory rich pork flavor, and some real depth from the Mexican oregano and cumin.
I think it’s an incredibly savory flavor and could drink it up with a straw, but of course, I might be biased 🙂
This resting liquid is your secret weapon. When you combine it with the already flavorful chunks of pork then you’ve got some real deal Carnitas on your hands.
I think the pork is already good enough to be eaten as is, but Carnitas will traditionally by crisped up so let’s do that for this batch.
Turn the broiler on and remove the resting liquid from the pan. When you set the resting liquid aside you’ll probably notice that the fat is rising to the top. Drizzling some of this fat onto the pork chunks will help it crisp up quicker — and taste better!
We’re going to put the pork under the broiler for 5 minutes or so. You can shred the chunks using two forks or leave them as is, your call.
Take a look after 5 minutes. If you want it crispier then give it another five minutes.
I prefer semi-crispy chunks so this batch was in for about 6-7 minutes.
So if all has gone according to plan you’ve got well-seasoned, savory, crispy Carnitas on your hands. Taste good?
And don’t shy away from using more of the resting liquid after you’ve crisped up the pork chunks. You can always drizzle more on top before serving, with the option of discarding some of the fat that rises to the top, or even better, using it!
By the way, that resting liquid is your secret weapon if the brine time is impossible for you (what?!). As mentioned, some of the less fatty pork chunks will come out dry if you skip the brine, but if you shred and then toss them with the resting liquid you can rescue them. We use that method in the hands off Slow Cooker version so it’s something to keep in mind for emergencies.
If, like me, you find yourself eating the Carnitas directly from the roasting pan then that’s a viable serving option!
But a more traditional route is a Carnitas tacos topped with a freshly made Salsa Verde. This is a wicked combo to try so I’ll put directions for it in the recipe box below. All you need to do is plop some tomatillos in the oven for the last 20 minutes of the pork roasting period and blend them with:
1/2 onion
1 garlic clove
2 serranos
8-10 sprigs cilantro
Yes, two serranos!
Normally a half serrano is a good starting point for Salsa Verde, but I made this version super sharp so it can compete with the big flavor or the Carnitas. Dial back on the serrano if you want a milder version.
And one last thing…
Try crisping up the tortillas to see how your palate reacts. I love it when the tortillas are warm and semi-crispy as it seems to make everything taste better. Just give them a minute or so in a dry skillet over mediumish heat.
Top each crispy tortilla with Carnitas, Salsa Verde, finely chopped raw onion, and freshly chopped cilantro. Not pictured is some cheese that is definitely worth considering.
Moist, succulent, crispy Carnitas in the house?!
Okay, let me know if you have any questions about the brining process for these Carnitas. It’s a great technique to add to your repertoire and will offer up some instant upgrades for your next meal.
Buen Provecho.
Delicious Carnitas Recipe
Ingredients
- 2-2.5 lbs. pork shoulder
- 1 orange
- 1 lime
- 1/2 onion
- 1 jalapeno
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- freshly cracked black pepper (approx. 1/2 teaspoon)
- 2-3 tablespoon oil
For the Salsa Verde:
- 4-5 tomatillos
- 1/2 onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 serrano peppers
- 10-12 sprigs cilantro
- salt to taste
For serving:
- 12-16 corn tortillas
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- freshly chopped cilantro
- 3-4 limes
- cheese
For the brine:
- 1/2 cup sea or kosher salt
- 2-3 quarts water
Instructions
- Add 2 quarts cold water to a mixing bowl along with 1/2 cup kosher or sea salt. Stir to dissolve. Cut the pork shoulder into 2" chunks. Add the pork chunks to the brine, cover, and store in the fridge for an hour. If the pork isn't completely submerged just add a bit more water.
- Once brined, remove the pork chunks and pat them dry. Add them to a clean mixing bowl along with: 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder (optional), 1 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 2-3 tablespoons oil. Combine well.
- Add pork pieces to a casserole dish along with the juice of 1 orange, the juice of 1 lime, 1/2 onion cut into chunks, 1 jalapeno sliced in half, and 4 peeled garlic cloves. I usually put the leftover orange pieces in the pan as well. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 300F for three hours.
- After three hours give it the fork tender test. If you can insert a fork into the pork with no resistance then it's done. If the chunks are still firm give it another half hour.
- Remove the pork and set aside. Strain the resting liquid into a bowl and be sure to give it a taste! As it sits the fat will rise to the top -- you can remove some of the fat if you want but I use most of it.
- To crisp up the Carnitas we'll put the shredded pork chunks under the broiler (approx. 525F). You can use the same baking dish, just be sure to remove the leftover fruit and veggie chunks. Add the pork back to the dish and shred with two forks. I usually give it a partial shred, leaving it chunky, but you can always shred finer if you want.
- Drizzle some of the resting liquid over the pork and broil for 5 minutes. Take a look and broil for another 5 minutes if you want it crispier.
- To make the Salsa Verde, it's best to put the tomatillos in the oven about 20-30 minutes before you think the pork will be done. Pull the husks off the tomatillos , give them a good rinse, and cut the stems out. Roast the tomatillos in the oven for 20 minutes or until they start to turn army green. They'll need a bit more time to roast because the oven temp is lower than usual. Add roasted tomatillos to a blender along with 1/2 onion, 1 garlic clove, 10-12 sprigs cilantro, and 1-2 serrano peppers. Combine well and taste for heat level. For a milder version start with 1/2 serrano pepper and add more to increase the heat.
- For serving you'll need corn tortillas, 1/2 cup finely chopped onion, some freshly chopped cilantro, the Salsa Verde, 3-4 limes, and cheese (optional). You can warm up the tortillas in the oven but you'll get happier faces if you crisp them up in hot dry skillet first. I usually put a large skillet over medium high heat and crisp up 3-4 at a time, storing them in a tortilla warmer or tea towel.
- If there are Carnitas leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually store the resting liquid separately. To re-heat, simply add pork to a saucepan along with some of the resting liquid, cover, and simmer over medium until heated through.
Brenda Moreland
Hello my husband is Mexican so I try to learn different recipes to please him. I was wanting to know instead of using tin foil for baking, could I use an oven roasting bag?
Patrick
Hi Brenda! Hmmm sorry I can’t give a better answer on that one but I don’t use those roasting bags so I can’t say for sure how effective it would be. Do you have a Dutch oven or something similar? I think I would be more inclined to use something like that.
Meg
I’ve made carnitas many times, didn’t know about the brine step, will definitely do next time. Thank you, getting hungry reading this!
Meg
Patrick
Hey Meg! Yeah give the brine a test drive when you get a chance — I’ve been brining more frequently in the kitchen and it’s amazing how much it can improve the taste and consistency of meats. Cheers.
Doris
I have at least 10 recipes for Carnitas in my Mexican binder that I have culled from the Internet. I am wanting to try yours but it’s so dang hot here in the Carolina’s that I will wait to make it. Like the idea of brining the pork shoulder. I will print this off now . By the way…. could this be made in a slow cooker or Instant pot ? Just a thought . Have a great day!
Patrick
Hey Doris! Yeah I have a hands-off slow cooker version here…
Slow Cooker Carnitas
…that skips the brine and relies on the resting liquid for the bulk of the flavor. It’s a good option for hot summer days just keep in mind that the Carnitas won’t crisp up as much once you stir them into the resting liquid.
Carlota Vidrio
Delicious 😋 and will make it for my family gatherings! Great recipe!
Patrick
Thanks Carlota!
L.C. Lassman
I love the spicy flavour that chili powder adds, but just can’t stand the burnt overtones of chipotle (to be honest, I can’t even stand the smell of it!). Is regular chili powder a good substitute or is there a different spice powder that would be better?
Patrick
Hey LC! You can just omit it and still get a good result, I just add some in to give the resting liquid another layer of flavor but it’s by no means essential. Also note that regular chili powder is loaded with other ingredients so I usually stay away from it.
Shaun
This looks like a fantastic recipe! I will give it a try. What do you think about smoking the carnitas instead of baking, maybe using mesquite wood?
Patrick
Hey Shaun! Hmmm I’ve been getting some questions about this but can’t give a firsthand answer as I haven’t tried it yet. Hard to imagine it not working, but I think I would first want to try a mild smoky flavor so that it doesn’t overwhelm the other flavors.
Melissa
This recipe is outstanding. I think the brining step really added to the tenderness of the pork, thank you for the idea to cube the meat first. The only change I made was to remove the meat and orange slices from the pan at the end of the cooking time, then put the remaining juice and solids in a food processor with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Drizzled over the meat it was fantastic!
Patrick
Oh nice thanks much for your note Melissa, sounds like a great tip! Kinda makes me want to try putting some tomatillos in the roasting pan next time so that you already have everything you need for a quick Salsa Verde.
Kathy B
I tried this recipe yesterday and loved it. I didn’t have Chipotle powder but I had Ancho so that’s what I used. I think I will have to leave the house while these are baking next time – the aroma was pure torture (in a good way)!
Patrick
Ha thanks much Kathy, so glad it was a hit!
Steve Weeks
I love good Carnitas and in the past have made them with fatty pork shoulder cuts and water/orange, for the long cook and then using condiments to flavor up the tacos. I like the idea of adding flavorings for the cook. As one commented, it is to hot to fire up the oven for a 3 +hour cook, so I thought it might be a good match for and Insta-Pot, so I will give it a go and let you know how it works. I am sure the onion and garlic will turn to mush under pressure, but the idea brought up of blending them with the pan juices may work. As for the crisping, since it is just two us, I wait and do it in a skillet come meal time. I just bag the larger chunks with the drippings and freeze them in meal size portions. Sounds like a good adventure, Thanks for the tips.
Steve
Patrick
Hey Steve thanks for your note, let me know how it goes as I get questions about the Insta-Pot quite frequently. Cheers.
Steve Weeks
I had 3 lb. of pork shoulder left from a batch of Pork Chile Verde. Even though the cook time(under pressure) was to be 30 mins, there is the bring up to pressure time, cook, and natural pressure release. So all totaled it came to almost 90 mins. Still not bad, but it isn’t Carnitas in 30 as some people claim. The pork was fork tender and well seasoned on its own, with no heat build up in the house on this 100+ day. One downside is that to build the pressure you have to have some extra liquid, so I used a cup of Pacifico, not a bad thing but it changed the pan liquids, so I will work with that later. For a fresh batch Carnitas during the summer I will do it again. Thoughts, you could do much the same with a crock pot or dutch oven outside if you have the heat source. I do miss the aroma of cooking food in the kitchen on a cool day.
Patrick
Okay thanks much for the trip report Steve, good to know! Yeah that is a warm day to be using the oven 🙂
Debbie
This recipe was great! I take a trip with friends each spring where we sew, cook, eat, and drink, not necessarily in that order on any given day. I plan to share these carnitas with my friend.
Patrick
Thanks Debbie! Lucky friends 🙂
Pete
What type of kosher salt do you use? Morton’s or Diamond Crystal? Thx!
Patrick
Hey Pete! I’ve been using that Diamond Crystal kosher salt for just about everything lately — you can usually find it quite cheap at most grocery stores. Cheers.