Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice
Fall-apart tender pork shoulder, slow-cooked in a citrus-spiced broth and served atop vibrant cilantro-lime rice for a comforting meal that captures Mexican home cooking at its finest. This mexican-inspired mexican ready in about 205 minutes pairs pork shoulder, vegetable oil, large onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 600 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
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 large onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut pork shoulder into 1-inch cubes. In a large bowl, combine pork with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tbsp cumin, 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Toss to coat evenly and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden brown, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add marinated pork to Dutch oven and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides.
- Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, cover with a lid, and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook for 2.5 hours, or until pork is tender enough to fall apart easily.
- Step 5: While pork cooks, prepare rice: in a small saucepan, combine cooked rice with 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook on low for 5 minutes until heated through.
- Step 6: Remove pork from Dutch oven, discarding excess fat. Shred pork with two forks, then return to pot. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Step 7: Serve carnitas over cilantro-lime rice, garnished with additional cilantro and lime wedges for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice take to make?
Total time is about 205 minutes (35 min prep + 170 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 Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice 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 Slow-Cooked Carnitas with Cilantro-Lime Rice?
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 family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
