Carnitas with Spicy Peanut Glaze
Slow-cooked pork glazed with a smoky peanut sauce, served with warm tortillas and pickled onions for a bold flavor contrast. This mexican-inspired 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.
Ingredients
- 1.8 lbs pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp sriracha
- 1, juiced lime
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cumin
- 8 small tortillas
- 1/2 cup pickled red onions
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
