Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

True to Mexican tradition with slow-cooked pork shoulder, orange zest, and traditional spices—no canned chipotle or shortcuts. This mexican-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs pork shoulder, orange zest, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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.

★ 3.8 (14 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 150 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 310 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from 2 lbs pork shoulder and cut into 1-inch cubes. In a heavy pot, combine pork cubes, 2 tbsp orange zest, 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin seeds, and 1/2 tsp black peppercorns.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 cup chicken stock to pot, bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat to low.
  3. Step 3: Cover pot and simmer gently for 2.5 hours until pork is fork-tender, turning occasionally.
  4. Step 4: Remove pork from liquid with a slotted spoon, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Discard spices and garlic.
  5. Step 5: Return pork to pot with reserved liquid and cook uncovered over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes until liquid evaporates and pork is crispy at edges.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas take to make?

Total time is about 170 minutes (20 min prep + 150 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 Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas?

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 Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas?

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 Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas 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.

What goes well with Real Deal Mexican-Style Carnitas?

Mexican beef 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

Related recipes