Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork Carnitas
Juicy pork shoulder slowly roasted on a sheet pan with Mexican spices until tender enough to shred, perfect for tacos and bowls. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 275 minutes pairs olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 460 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
- 3 lbs, trimmed and cut into 3-inch chunks pork shoulder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 275°F. In a large bowl, toss 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread the pork pieces in a single layer on a large rimmed sheet pan. Pour 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup lime juice evenly over the meat.
- Step 3: Cover the sheet pan tightly with foil and roast in the oven for 3 1/2 to 4 hours until the pork is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Step 4: Remove foil, increase oven to 425°F, and roast uncovered for 15 minutes to crisp the edges.
- Step 5: Use two forks to shred the pork directly on the pan, mixing it with the pan juices before serving in tacos, burritos, or bowls.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork Carnitas take to make?
Total time is about 275 minutes (15 min prep + 260 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 Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork 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 Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork 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 Sheet Pan Low and Slow Pork Carnitas?
Mexican pork 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.
