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  • GF
  • LC

OnlineCook
OnlineCook

April 29, 2025

Impossibly tender taco-truck-quality carnitas made in your home oven. Enjoy with tortillas, avocado, and other fixings.

15 Ingredients
Carnitas
Carnitas cover
From the Cook
1/2

Carnitas

Ingredients

Servings
0 allergens identified

Instructions

1
|
Preheat the oven to 275°F. Spray a Dutch oven with nonstick cooking spray.
2
|
Place the pork and bacon in the Dutch oven. Season with the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and oregano. Stir to coat. Squeeze the juice from the orange and lime over pork, and arrange the citrus segments around the meat. Scatter the garlic, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro over pork.
3
|
Cover the Dutch oven with a lid. Bake the pork on middle rack of oven until it is fall-apart tender, 4-5 hours.
4
|
When done, remove pork from the oven. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set the oven to broil.
5
|
Remove the citrus, vegetables, and bacon from the Dutch oven and discard. Shred the pork with forks and arrange in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
6
|
Broil the pork on top rack of oven, just until it begins to crisp, 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on the pork to ensure it does not burn.
7
|
Check to see that pork is done. Remove from oven or add time as needed.
8
|
Serve immediately.

Smart Nutrition

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

  • Fat Rendering Magic 🥓
    Use the bacon strips to naturally infuse fat and create a deeper, more complex flavor profile during slow cooking.
  • Citrus Tenderizing Trick 🍊
    The orange adds natural enzymes that help break down tough muscle fibers, ensuring incredibly tender carnitas every time.
  • Crispy Finish Technique 🔥
    After slow cooking, broil the meat for 3-5 minutes to create those signature crispy edges that make carnitas truly authentic.
  • Spice Bloom Mastery 🌶️
    Toast your ground spices (cumin, coriander) in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding to the meat to intensify their aromatic qualities.
  • Moisture Retention Secret 💧
    Cover the meat with foil during initial cooking to trap moisture, then uncover for the last hour to develop a perfect exterior crust.

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