Carnitas
Danielle Dunn
Juicy and tender pieces of slow cooked pork roast
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 hours hrs
Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
The rub
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 2 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 tsp. marjarom
Carnitas
- 4-5 lb. pork shoulder (Boston butt)
- recipe for rub
- 1 medium yellow onion roughly chopped
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped or sliced
- 2 tbsp. fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup fresh orange juice about 3 oranges
- 2 limes one sliced
- 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
In a small bowl, prepare the rub by combining and mixing all ingredients.
Using a cutting board or large plate, season pork shoulder with prepared rub. Use hand and rub into the pork shoulder.
Place seasoned pork roast into slow cooker. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, lime slices and bay leaves. Pour in the orange juice, along with the juice from the extra lime. Slow cook on high for 4-5 hours, or low for 8 - 10 hours; or until meat is fall apart tender.
Remove pork from slow cooker and reserve 1 cup of the liquid. Shred pork roast with forks, or pull apart with hands, until you have small pieces of meat.
Make Crispy
In a large cast iron or non-stick skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. To the hot skillet, add shredded meat. Began to sear, until meat starts form a crispy texture. Pour over 1/2 of the reserved liquid, and continue to sear until most of liquid is absorbed. Pour over remaining liquid. Taste carnitas and add more salt if needed.
Serve as tacos, or a main dish item.