Crispy Pork Carnitas

4.7
(193)
153 Reviews
33 Photos

This carnitas recipe features fragrantly spiced cubed pork slow-roasted in lard until crispy on the outside and soft and succulent on the inside. Pile some on a warm tortilla, drizzle with braising liquid, and top with salsa, onion, and cilantro for the world's best taco.

By
John Mitzewich
Chef John
John Mitzewich
John Mitzewich — aka Chef John — has produced more than 1,500 cooking videos for Allrecipes. He's the actor, director, and screenwriter whose hands and voice confidently walk you through techniques.
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Updated on March 5, 2024
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself.
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33
A plate of crispy pork carnitas tacos served with lime wedges, sliced japalenos, and fresh tomato salsa
33
33
33
33
Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
3 hrs 40 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 55 mins
Servings:
6
Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless pork butt (shoulder)

  • 8 cloves garlic, peeled

  • ¼ cup olive oil

  • 1 orange, juiced, orange parts of peel removed and sliced into thin strips

  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt

  • 2 bay leaves, torn in half

  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).

    Ingredients to make crispy pork carnitas

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Remove fat from pork; cut meat into 2-inch cubes and roughly chop fat.

    A cutting board with a trimmed cut of pork, with cubed pork meat and a knife

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix together pork meat and fat with garlic, olive oil, orange peel, orange juice, salt, bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and 5-spice powder in a large bowl until pork is coated completely.

    A large glass bowl of cubed pork with garlic, olive oil, orange peel, orange juice, salt, bay leaves, black pepper, cumin, cinnamon, and 5-spice powder

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Transfer mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil, then place on a baking sheet.

    A baking dish filled with seasoned cubbed pork

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Bake in the preheated oven until pork is fork tender, about 3 1/2 hours.

    A pan of roasted cubed pork being stirred with a fork

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler. Remove garlic, orange peel, and bay leaves from the baking dish. Transfer pork to a colander set in a bowl. Pour accumulated juices from the baking dish over pork. Return pork to the baking dish and drizzle with some accumulated juices.

    A pan of roasted pork cubes with a hand pouring a measuring glass of pan juice over the meat

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Cook under the preheated broiler for 3 minutes. Drizzle more accumulated juices over pork and continue broiling until crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer pork to a serving plate and drizzle with remaining accumulated juices.

    A pan of crispy pork carnitas

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Enjoy!

    A plate of crispy pork carnitas tacos served with lime wedges, sliced japalenos, and fresh tomato salsa

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

317 Calories
23g Fat
2g Carbs
26g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 317
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 89mg 30%
Sodium 1036mg 45%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 26g 51%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 35mg 3%
Iron 2mg 12%
Potassium 371mg 8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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