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Guys, we have serious, serious things to chat about today.
Number one is obviously these carnitas. These extra special, super delicious slow roasted pork carnitas.
And two? Well two is about what’s been on my mind recently. Let’s start with two, and then we’ll move on to the carnitas. Promise, I will try not to write a novel…
So lately I’ve been I wanting to do more with the blog. I need a little more of a challenge, something new, something different, and I feel like the blog needs a little update. I’d like you to let me know what you’d like to see more of on HBH. Is it super easy recipes? More quick how-to videos? Longer videos… where I talk and talk and talk? Do you like hearing all about my life and what’s happening behind the scenes? Or would you prefer for me to simply stick to content? How about some lifestyle posts? Would you be into fashion inspired posts? If so, what areas? I really want to know what you’d love to see me share? I want to go there, to add something new and fun and fresh and different! So please… give me your thoughts, ideas, comments… I want to hear them all!
PS. the fashion thing?? Anyone? You know my whole life I thought I was going to work in the fashion industry, but then my move to LA happened and I kind of freaked, and then this blog happened. Now I only buy dishes and surfaces, and only wear Lululemon tights and sweatshirts smeared with chocolate all day long…I wouldn’t mind bringing a little fashion back into my world. Would you guys be into it? My favorite trends? My wish list? Maybe some go-to working girl outfits? Maybe only as a monthly thing, or maybe more? Thoughts?!?!
PSS. What about entertaining posts!?! I’m really into these. Like dinner parties, summer get-togethers, cocktails… Would you be interested in seeing more of these types of posts?
OKok, and now let’s chat carnitas!!!
The pork gets slow cooked for two to three hours and when it’s finished, it literally just falls apart. The shredded meat makes for the most epic round of tacos, complete with all the toppings. The meat just melts in your mouth and the flavor is insane.
Like nothing better.
Also, while this meat is great for tacos, it’s also great for burrito bowls, nachos, pizza, quesadillas, sandwiches, ext…the options here are endless. With this carnita recipe, you really can do no wrong! 🙂
The one must? A side of guacamole and chips.
My Favorite Slow Roasted Pork Carnitas.
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 516 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds pork shoulder cut into 3 inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- kosher salt and pepper
- 1 cup Mexican beer or low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 leaves bay
- juice from 2 limes
- cilantro for serving
Instructions
Classic Slow Roasted On the Stove
- Toss the cubed pork with the garlic powder and chipotle chili powder. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear the pork on all sides. If needed, sear the pork in batches if your dutch oven is not large enough. Reduce the heat low and pour in the beer, orange juice and 1/2 cup water (there should be just enough liquid to cover the sides of the meat). Add the bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 hours on LOW. After 1 1/2 hours the pork should be falling apart. Remove the lid and continue cooking another 30 minutes. The Coca-Cola will caramelize and the liquid will evaporate almost completely.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred. Drizzle the carnitas with lime juice. Serve with warm tortillas, avocado and cheese. EAT!
Crockpot
- Toss the cubed pork with the garlic powder and chipotle chili powder. Season liberally with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear the pork on all sides. If needed, sear the pork in batches if your dutch oven is not large enough. Transfer the pork to the bowl of your crockpot. Add the beer, orange juice, 1/2 cup water and the bay leaves. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. During the last hour, remove the lid and allow the liquid to evaporate almost completely.
- Transfer the pork to a cutting board and shred. Serve with warm tortillas, avocado and cheese. EAT!
I mean, obviously. ???
Can you make this a few days prior and reheat or even freeze it and reheat?
Hey Anne,
Yes, you can definitely do either of those! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it’s a hit! xT
I don’t see Coca Cola on the ingredient list. How much do I use ?
Hi Elizabeth,
So sorry about that, it’s a typo, just ignore the Coca Cola:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you, let me know if you give it a try! xT
Just tried this and it was impeccable! Thanks
Also would love to see more hosting ideas / your carnita bar post is how I found this
So thank you
Hi there,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! Happy 4th of July weekend! 🇺🇸🍓
Can I make this with country style pork ribs?
Hi Andrea,
So sorry, I have never tested those with this recipe, but you could certainly give it a try! Please let me know if there is anything else that I can help with! xT
You mention Coca-cola in the finished product BUT it’s not on your ingredient list?
Hey Milissa,
So sorry about that, please ignore the Coca Cola in this recipe! I hope this turns out well for you! xx
where does the lime come into play? i see it listed in i bc redients but not in the directions
Hi Aubrey,
The lime juice is added in step 3:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xT
I tried this but I had boneless pork rib meat, and instead of chipotle chili powder we bought dried chipotle because our grocery didn’t carry the powder. So I had to cook/stew the chipotle with the meat. I’m sure due to this the flavor wasn’t as strong as carnitas at restaurants I’ve had but I felt it was missing something. So what I did was add 1/2 c of Dr. Pepper to it after I shredded the meat to let it stew, added some more salt after the meat was shredded and it gave it some life again. Not bad overall but had to work some stuff around on my behalf. Thanks!
Hey Lydia,
Thanks for giving this recipe a try and sharing your feedback, sorry to hear you didn’t love this recipe! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
So excited to try this out! But my meat is an 8lb pork butt. Do you have any suggestions of how I can adjust? Thanks!
Hey Jasmine,
You would want to double this recipe, I would just make sure you have a large enough pot to handle this. If not, I would cut your pork butt in half and follow as is:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
How much Coca Cola do I add? It’s not listed in the ingredients.
Hi Katherine,
Please ignore the Coca Cola, it’s not in the recipe:) Let me know if you have any other questions!! xTieghan
Today cooked the version in your latest cookbook, Half Baked Harvest Every Day, Crispy Carnitas Taquitos. So amazingly delicious!
Hi Lorena,
Happy Sunday!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!? xTieghan
Another amazing recipe TeaganYou are an incredible young woman.
Hey Tom,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for giving it a try and sharing your review:) Thanks so much!! xxTieghan
Hey! Is there any way I could put my Dutch oven in the oven to finish cooking instead of cooking it stove top? If so, what temp and time do you think?
Hi Whitney,
Sure, I would do 350 for 30 ish minutes. Please let me know if you give it a try, I hope you love the recipe! xTieghan
Hi! Would a pressure cooker work for this recipe? How long would it cool?
Sorry! How long would it need to cook for?
No worries, I knew what you meant:)
Hey Stephanie,
Sure, I would cook on high pressure for 55-60 minutes. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope it turns out amazing for you! xx
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try! Was thinking of making for Father’s Day. Will it be as good if made day ahead? Would I need to add anything when re-heating? Love your recipes!
Hey Kerri,
That would be totally fine to do! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
My son and I love the pork carnitas from Chipotle, so I wanted to make it for dinner. I trust Tieghan’s recipes and was once again not disappointed! I did the slow cooker method, but didn’t start it quick enough for six hours. After only five hours, the pork was tender and falling apart. It had great flavor! My (19 year old) son told me to make it again next week. lol The whole family loved it served with cilantro lime rice, guacamole, cheese, salsa, pinto beans, and tortillas.
Hey Leslie,
Love to hear this! Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am so glad it was enjoyed! xTieghan
Coca-cola doesn’t appear in the ingredient list. Yet you mention it in the text of the recipe?
Hey Shelly,
Sorry for the confused, you can ignore the coca-cola! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan