Super Tender Carnitas

Source : Cut Your Pork Into Roughly 1 5 Chunks And Season With The Salt Then In A Large Pot Preheated To Medium High With About A Teaspoon Of Oil Sear On Two...

PreTime
more Minutes
CookTime
a few Minutes
Yield
Some Servings

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at : January 8, 2026

Step:

  1. Cut your pork into roughly 1.5" chunks and season with the salt. Then, in a large pot preheated to medium high with about a teaspoon of oil, sear on two sides in 2 or 3 equal batches for about 3 minutes per side, until they have a good brown crust on them.

    Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 1 photo Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 1 photo Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 1 photo
  2. Throw all the seared carnitas back into the pot and add onion, garlic, bay leaves (and optional cumin and oregano) into the pot and mix, letting the onions saute until they start to turn translucent. (A minute or two.)

    Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 2 photo Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 2 photo
  3. Squeeze all the juice from the orange and lime into the pot then add the water and vinegar.

    Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 3 photo Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 3 photo
  4. Bring to a boil, covered, for a minute or so. Once it's been boiling for a minute, turn the heat down to medium low and simmer, completely covered, for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally. (Maybe every 15 minutes or so.)

    Check the seasoning at this point - you might like more salt or a little more acid from the citrus.

    Then simmer for another 15 minutes with the lid askew.

    Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 4 photo
  5. Your carnitas should be moist, delicious, and fork tender by this point. Enjoy!

    Super Tender Carnitas recipe step 5 photo

Ingredients

  1. 3.5 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1.5"chunks
  2. 2 teaspoons salt to start
  3. 1 onion, peeled and sliced into 1/2" strips
  4. 6 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
  5. optional: 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
  6. 1 large orange
  7. 1 large lime
  8. 2 bay leaves
  9. 1.5 cups water
  10. 1 Tablespoon distilled white or apple cider vinegar (makes it extra tender)

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