Pork Carnitas Tacos | Cinco De Mayo
I have to admit, I don’t cook very many Mexican dishes—but when I do, pork canitas is one of my favorites. Pork carnitas is slow cooked pork with lots of garlic, spices and citrus. It can be easily made on the stove top in a large pot or your dutch oven. After a few hours of cooking, you end up mounds of tender, juicy pork that fall apart with a fork. It’s full of flavor and perfect for tacos one night and a casserole the next.
I like to cook a pork roast about once a month. It’s easy to throw the ingredients in a pot on a Sunday and let it cook without a lot of fuss. The pork slowly simmers on the stove and I end up with enough for several meals (in our small family), plus more to freeze for another round of meals. It may sound like something that is difficult to do, but pork carnitas is actually very easy, and your family will be so happy with the delicious results.
Pork Carnitas Tacos are great to serve for Cinco De Mayo, in fact, I’ll be pulling my stash from my freezer just for the occasion. Serve your tacos with homemade pico de gallo and, some shredded cabbage and corn tortillas and you have yourself a delicious, authentic Mexican meal. Another delicious way to use this pork is for breakfast like in this roast pork eggs Benedict with cilantro hollandaise.
Btw…be on the lookout on your grocery store shelf for La Tortilla Factory Hand Made Style Yellow Corn Tortillas. They are drastically better than the ones I’ve purchased before. They don’t fall apart, yet still have that delicious corn taste.
Pork Carnitas Tacos Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried cumin
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic
- 3-4 pound pork shoulder roast
- 1 whole jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 orange
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Method
Using a dutch oven or any large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil and add the oregano, cumin, onion and garlic. Saute for about 8 minutes, and then place the pork on top. Add enough water to just cover the meat. Add the jalapeno, bay leaves, lime juice and squeeze the orange juice into the pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Uncover the pot and continue to cook on medium-low heat, at a vigorous simmer another 1 ½ to 2 hours. Skim the foam or fat off the top as it cooks. When the pork is tender and much of the liquid has evaporated, use 2 forks to pull the meat apart in the pot (you can leave big chunks at this point). Increase the heat to medium-high and cook another 20 minutes, letting the liquid evaporate and the meat caramelize and brown in the fat left in the pan.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Remove the bay leaves. Shred the meat thoroughly and discard any large chunks of fat.
https://loveandduckfat.com/pork-carnitas-tacos-cinco-de-mayo/
Your recipes always look so great! And the picture is amazing
Veronica recently posted…Yay or Nay To The Pig?
I actually planned on making something similar to this for dinner tonight so I think i’ll switch a few things and try your recipe out as something new! Thanks for sharing!
That looks so good. The ingredients say that it is full of flavor – I can not wait to try to make this one. My boys are going to love you!
Jennifer Williams recently posted…Shrimp Tacos with Cucumber Salsa – Recipe
I love just about anything Mexican and something like this would be no exception! It sounds delicious!!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…WTF Moments – California Style
Those look very tasty. I love easy meals like this.
Amber NElson recently posted…Nick Jonas Gets All Dressed Up For Supports Communities In Schools of Los Angeles Gala 2014
This looks like a fun and delicious recipe for Cinco de Mayo! I love Mexican food.
Nikki recently posted…Meet the Happy’s: Cool Interactive Pets Kids Will Love
I’m about to go make tacos for dinner. If I had pork defrosted, I’d alter it to make it this way. Pretty sure the family here would like it!
Rosey recently posted…NY Savings Specials Mega Giveaway
I’ve always liked carnitas tacos, but I don’t think I’ve ever made them myself! I will have to use this recipe soon.
Pam recently posted…Help Fight Childhood Cancer #Duckprints & $50 Restaurant.com Giveaway
You had me at pork tacos; I love them so much and will surely try this recipe out.
Curby Aardvark recently posted…Dominic Monaghan & Billy Boyd Hobbits Reunite for Another Adventure
Now this definitely looks so yummy!
Aisha Kristine Chong recently posted…Would You Buy Clothing Made of Fur?
I have never met a taco that I did not like. Actually, I may have never met any Mexican food that I did not like either. 🙂
Dawn recently posted…17 Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For Foodie Moms @BestBuy #sponsored #GreatestMom
You always make things so simple and explained so well. Every time after reading your posts I am more excited to get in the kitchen!
alice chase recently posted…Happy Hour at Starbucks Starts Today!! Half off all Frappuccinos!
So simple and yet so yummy-looking! Thanks for the recipe!
Kristen from The Road to Domestication recently posted…Northern Whimsy Review & Giveaway!
This is something I order on a regular basis when we eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I’m going to have to try making it at home. Your photos look awesome! Thanks for linking up at Real Food Fridays 🙂
LydiaF recently posted…Real Food Fridays #36
Omg, this needs to be in my mouth! It looks divine!! My homemade Mexican recipes are just never up to snuff with the authentic goods. :/
You are making my mouth water. I am normally not a big fan of pork (except bacon…I love bacon), but this looks and sound wonderful! Thank you for linking up at Party in Your PJs.
Kim @ The Cookie Puzzle recently posted…Party in Your PJs #1
This looks like such a yummy recipe! I just posted a chicken tostadas recipe. I love cooking Mexican style foods at least once a week!
Erica recently posted…Cinco De Mayo! Try These Chicken Tostadas for Dinner Tonight! #Recipe
It looks so tasty and delicious. This is a recipe to add to my must try list.
Nicole at Nicole’s Lifestyle Lounge recently posted…Sweet 16: The Coming of Age Rite of Passage
YUM!!!! What delicious dish. I’m featuring your carnitas in my Friday Features from this week’s Inspire Me Monday linky party. Thanks for linking up!
Looks super yummy! I might just have to give this a try!
Alisha recently posted…Chinese Chicken Salad