Name: Carnitas Seasoning
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 8 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Kosher salt; 1 tbsp Black pepper; 1 tbsp Garlic powder; 2 teaspoons Ground cumin; 2 teaspoons Dried oregano; 2 teaspoons Onion powder; 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons Chili powder

This Carnitas Seasoning is a game changer. There’s something magical about perfectly seasoned carnitas—crispy, tender, and infused with rich layers of spice that transport you straight to the streets of Mexico. Whether you’re slow-cooking pork in the oven or sizzling it on the stovetop, the seasoning is the heart of this dish.

Other

5 m

American

It is a Keeper

March 10, 2026

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From the Cook

1/6

Carnitas Seasoning

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and stir well.

Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Your Spices First 🔥
Briefly toast the dry spices in a dry skillet for 30-60 seconds before mixing to intensify their flavors and unlock their essential oils for deeper, more complex seasoning.
Bloom the Seasoning in Fat 🧈
Mix your seasoning blend with a tablespoon of the rendered pork fat before applying to the meat—this creates a flavor-packed paste that adheres better and distributes evenly throughout.
Double-Season for Layered Depth 🌶️
Apply half the seasoning before cooking and the remaining half halfway through the cooking process to build layers of flavor that intensify without becoming one-dimensional.
Balance Your Ratios Precisely ⚖️
Use 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1.5 tablespoons smoked paprika, and 1 tablespoon each of remaining spices per 3-4 pounds of meat to achieve the perfect seasoning intensity without overpowering.
Reserve Seasoning for Final Crisping ✨
Save a small portion of dry seasoning to dust over the meat during the final high-heat crisping stage—this creates an irresistible, flavorful crust while locking in tenderness inside.