Tia Amber's Pork Carnitas
Tia Amber's Pork Carnitas
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 orange, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup lard
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 2 pounds of pork shoulder into approximately 2-inch pieces. This ensures even cooking and easier shredding later.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Place the cut pork shoulder pieces into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Take the quartered orange and squeeze its juice directly into the pot with the pork. After squeezing, add the spent orange quarters to the pot as well. The citrus will add a bright, fresh flavor.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Add the quartered onion and the whole garlic cloves to the pot with the pork and orange.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Season the contents of the pot with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oregano. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Pour 1/2 cup of water into the pot. This will help create steam and keep the pork moist during the initial cooking phase.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Bring all the ingredients in the pot to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The pork should become very tender.
⏱️ 90 min
- 9
After simmering, carefully remove the cooked pork from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon and transfer it to a large bowl. Discard the orange, onion, and garlic from the pot.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Using two forks, shred the tender pork into smaller, bite-sized pieces. You can shred it as finely or as coarsely as you prefer.
⏱️ 5 min
- 11
In a separate large skillet or frying pan, add 1/4 cup of lard and melt it over medium-high heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Add the shredded pork to the pan with the melted lard. Fry the shredded pork, stirring occasionally, until it becomes deliciously crispy and golden brown on the edges. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min
- 13
The pork carnitas are now ready to be served! Enjoy them in tacos, burritos, or simply on their own.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Tia Amber's Pork Carnitas
- 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 orange, quartered
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup lard
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 2 pounds of pork shoulder into approximately 2-inch pieces. This ensures even cooking and easier shredding later.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Place the cut pork shoulder pieces into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Take the quartered orange and squeeze its juice directly into the pot with the pork. After squeezing, add the spent orange quarters to the pot as well. The citrus will add a bright, fresh flavor.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Add the quartered onion and the whole garlic cloves to the pot with the pork and orange.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Season the contents of the pot with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 1 tablespoon of oregano. Stir gently to distribute the seasonings.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Pour 1/2 cup of water into the pot. This will help create steam and keep the pork moist during the initial cooking phase.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Bring all the ingredients in the pot to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The pork should become very tender.
⏱️ 90 min - 9
After simmering, carefully remove the cooked pork from the pot using tongs or a slotted spoon and transfer it to a large bowl. Discard the orange, onion, and garlic from the pot.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Using two forks, shred the tender pork into smaller, bite-sized pieces. You can shred it as finely or as coarsely as you prefer.
⏱️ 5 min - 11
In a separate large skillet or frying pan, add 1/4 cup of lard and melt it over medium-high heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Add the shredded pork to the pan with the melted lard. Fry the shredded pork, stirring occasionally, until it becomes deliciously crispy and golden brown on the edges. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 20 min - 13
The pork carnitas are now ready to be served! Enjoy them in tacos, burritos, or simply on their own.