3poundsboneless pork shoulder roastcut into 1-2 inch pieces
½cupchopped onion
3clovesgarlicminced
2cupswater
4sprigsfresh thyme
2bay leaves
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoondried oregano
1teaspoonchipotle spicechoose a spice that meets your heat preference
3tablespoonslardor oil
Instructions
Zest an orange and then squeeze the juice from the orange. Add them together in a bowl and set aside.
1 orange
In a large Dutch oven (or heavy-bottomed pot), heat 2 tablespoons lard over medium-high. Add some of the cut up meat in a single layer to cover the bottom of the pot, being careful not to crowd. Cook first layer of meat until browned, turning with tongs to brown all sides. When that layer of meat is browned, remove to a plate and add the next layer of meat and cook it until browned and then remove to the plate. Repeat until all meat is browned.
When meat is browned and removed to a plate, add the onion and garlic to the Dutch oven pot. Cook until onions are translucent and caramelized, about 5 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. Return meat to pot.
1/2 cup chopped onion, 3 cloves garlic
Add the reserved orange zest and juice and the next 6 ingredients to the Dutch oven (through the chile pepper). Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for 2 hours.
After 2 hours, bring the pot back up to a gentle boil and cook, uncovered 15 to 20 minutes more or until most of the liquid is evaporated, stirring occasionally. Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves and either go to the next step or store the meat until ready. The meat can be stored at this point in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When ready to make the carnitas, heat 1 Tbsp lard over medium heat in a large skillet. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the sauce and spread it in a single layer in the skillet. Cook 5 minutes or until meat starts to crisp, turning occasionally (may need to do this in batches).
3 tablespoons lard
Serve with lime wedges, jalapeno pepper, guacamole (or fresh, sliced avocados), caramelized onions, and refried beans.
Notes
NOTE: It is sometimes confusing to distinguish the various Mexican pork dishes. Here are the basic differences:
Carnitas: Shoulder of pork that's been seasoned, braised until tender with lard and herbs (oregano, marjoram, bay leaves, garlic), pulled apart, and then oven-roasted until slightly crisp, then eaten alone or used as a filling for tacos, tamales, tortas, and burritos.
Al pastor: Crisp-thin shavings of vertical spit-roasted pork, marinated with guajillo chiles and achiote, then served on tortillas. Pastor means "shepherd," the name given to Lebanese merchants who immigrated to Mexico City in the early 1900s, bringing the concept of shawarma with them.
Cochinita pibil: Whole suckling pig or pork shoulder that's marinated in citrus with achiote, then wrapped in banana leaves and roasted. Historically, it's buried in a pit with a fire at the bottom.
**Want more like this? Subscribe to our Sunday newsletter to get recipes, gardening guides and diet help. Let’s go from Inspiration to Done!If you enjoy all types of Mexican food, check out this category of ALL Mexican recipes, where you will find over 40 Mexican recipes, from casual, to low carb, to fancy.See this post to learn more about the similarities and differences between Low Carb, Slow Carb and Keto diets.