epicurious
Carnitas (Crispy, Tender Mexican Pork)
This pork carnitas recipe uses pork shoulder and belly for tender, juicy meat with crispy edges—perfect for carnitas tacos and easy to make at home.
👥 8 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 2h 40m👤 Rick Martinez📖 epicurious
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●pot
- ●pan
- ●skillet
- ●baking sheet
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Combine 3 lb. boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1½" pieces, 1 lb. pork belly, cut into 1" pieces, 1 cup homemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth, 1 Tbsp. (heaping) Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp. (heaping) Morton kosher salt, and 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper in a large heavy pot; cover and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Reduce heat and simmer until pork is tender and shreds easily, about ⏱️ 2 hours. Uncover and continue to cook until liquid has reduced slightly (but not completely), about ⏱️ 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
. boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1½" pieces3 lb. (heaping) Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp. (heaping) Morton kosher salt1 Tbsp. pork belly, cut into 1" pieces1 lbhomemade chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth1 cup
2
Transfer half of pork and pan juices to a large skillet, preferably nonstick, and cook over high heat until liquid evaporates and pork begins to fry in its rendered fat. Fry, stirring occasionally and pressing on pork with a spoon to break it up, until browned and just beginning to crisp, 10–⏱️ 15 minutes (most of the pieces should be bite-size, with some smaller shredded and super-crisp bits in the mix). Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil to keep warm and moist. Repeat with remaining pork and pan juices.
3
Serve carnitas with warm corn tortillas, sliced avocado, shredded cabbage, chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, dried oregano, and lime wedges for building tacos. Do Ahead: Pork can be braised (do not fry) 3 days ahead. Cover and chill. Editor’s note: This carnitas recipe was first printed in our May 2016 issue; it has been updated for style. Head this way for more of our favorite pork recipes →
Warm corn tortillas, sliced avocado, shredded cabbage, chopped white onion, chopped cilantro, dried oregano, and lime wedges (for serving)
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