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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👤 Rick Martinez📖 bonappetit
🥘 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 as ‘Double-Pork Carnitas’; 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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