Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce

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

Slow-cooked shredded pork carnitas served in crisp butter lettuce leaves with a tangy cilantro lime sauce for a fresh keto meal. This mexican-inspired pork (keto, low carb) ready in about 440 minutes pairs pork shoulder, olive oil, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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: 20 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 2 lbs pork shoulder chunks.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork chunks for 3-4 minutes per side until browned all over. Transfer pork to a slow cooker.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1 cup chicken broth over the pork in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours until pork is tender enough to shred with forks.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tbsp lime juice, and 1 chopped small jalapeño (optional) to make the cilantro lime sauce.
  5. Step 5: When pork is done, shred it inside the slow cooker using two forks. Serve pork spooned into 12 butter lettuce leaves and drizzle with the cilantro lime sauce. Fold lettuce leaves and enjoy as wraps.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 440 minutes (20 min prep + 420 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 Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce?

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 Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce?

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 Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.

Is Pork Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Cilantro Lime Sauce keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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