Pan-Roasted Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cinnamon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-11 · Updated 2026-05-11

Crispy pan-roasted pork shoulder braised with citrus and warm spices, perfect for authentic Mexican carnitas tacos. This Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo recipe, ready in about 100 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes, orange juice, fresh squeezed, lime juice, fresh squeezed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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

• 2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup orange juice, fresh squeezed
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh squeezed
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 pounds 1-inch cubed pork shoulder with 1/2 cup fresh squeezed orange juice, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork cubes in a single layer, reserving the marinade. Brown the pork on all sides for about 8 minutes until golden and crisp.
3. Step 3: Pour reserved marinade and 1/2 cup water into the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes until the pork is tender and the liquid mostly evaporated.
4. Step 4: Remove the lid and increase heat to medium-high. Cook uncovered for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is crispy on the edges and caramelized.