Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Slow-cooked pork glazed with a smoky peanut sauce, served with warm tortillas and pickled onions for a bold flavor contrast. This mexican ready in about 105 minutes pairs pork shoulder, peanut butter, sriracha for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 75 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Rub pork with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt. Roast for 1.5 hours until tender, then shred with two forks.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, sriracha, lime juice, brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stir until glossy and smooth.
  3. Step 3: Toss shredded pork with 2 tbsp glaze until evenly coated. Warm tortillas in a skillet, then assemble by placing 1/4 cup pork, 1 tbsp glaze, and 1 tbsp pickled onions on each tortilla. Fold and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (30 min prep + 75 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork shoulder from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze?

Mexican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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