Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin

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

Tender pork carnitas slow-cooked with smoky chipotle peppers, fresh orange juice, and aromatic cumin, perfect for tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired cinco de mayo ready in about 200 minutes turns pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch chunks, orange juice, freshly squeezed, ground cumin into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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: 180 min Serves 8 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks with 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 2 tsp ground cumin, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Toss until pork is evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the marinated pork in batches and sear until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per batch.
  3. Step 3: Return all browned pork to the pot, add 1 cup water and 2 bay leaves, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until pork is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  4. Step 4: Remove bay leaves, shred the pork with two forks, and spread it out on a baking sheet. Optional: broil for 5 minutes to crisp edges before serving in tortillas or bowls.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin take to make?

Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin?

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 Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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 Chipotle Pork Carnitas with Orange and Cumin?

Mexican cinco de mayo 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.

Related recipes