Tacos De Carnitas

Savor the bold and authentic flavors of Mexico with these irresistible Tacos de Carnitas, a true fiesta for your taste buds! Tender chunks of pork shoulder are slow-cooked to perfection in a fragrant mixture of orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and spices, then broiled until irresistibly crispy on the edges. Nestled into warm corn tortillas and topped with fresh cilantro, diced onion, and a zesty squeeze of lime, these tacos are a perfect blend of rich, savory, and citrusy flavors. Ideal for family dinners or taco night with friends, this recipe combines the art of slow-cooking with a quick broiler technique to deliver restaurant-quality results at home. Whether you're a seasoned taco lover or new to Mexican cuisine, these Tacos de Carnitas will quickly become a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.25 cup Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 2 Bay leaves
• 12 Corn tortillas
• 0.5 cup Chopped cilantro
• 0.5 cup Diced white onion
• 4 Lime wedges
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks, about 2-3 inches in size.

Step 2

Season the pork chunks generously with salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Ensure each piece is well coated.

Step 3

In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Sear the pork chunks in batches, ensuring every side develops a golden-brown crust. Remove the pork and set it aside.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 6

Deglaze the pot by adding orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.

Step 7

Return the seared pork to the pot, ensuring the liquid covers about half of the meat. Add the bay leaves.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it cook gently for about 2-2.5 hours, turning the pork occasionally, until it is tender and easily shreddable.

Step 9

Once the pork is done, preheat your oven broiler to high. Transfer the pork to a baking sheet, shredding it into bite-sized pieces with two forks.

Step 10

Drizzle some of the cooking liquid over the shredded pork to keep it moist, then broil for 5 minutes, or until the edges turn crispy and golden brown.

Step 11

While the pork broils, warm the corn tortillas on a skillet or directly over a gas flame for a few seconds on each side until pliable.

Step 12

Assemble the tacos by placing a generous portion of the crispy carnitas on each tortilla. Top with chopped cilantro, diced onion, and a squeeze of lime juice.

Step 13

Serve immediately with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy your Tacos De Carnitas!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	3126.3 grams (3126.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6294

Total Fat 407.70g	523%
Saturated Fat 133.40g	667%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.80g
Cholesterol 1270mg	423%
Sodium 6505mg	283%
Total Carbohydrate 310.10g	113%
Dietary Fiber 43.30g	155%
Total Sugars 30.20g
Protein 369.70g	739%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 670mg	52%
Iron 33mg	186%
Potassium 6899mg	147%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 57.4%

Protein: 23.1%

Carbs: 19.4%