Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Citrus and Ancho Chile

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-24 · Updated 2026-04-24

Tender pork shoulder slow-cooked with bright citrus and smoky ancho chile creates flavorful carnitas perfect for tacos or bowls. This Mexican-inspired Cinco de Mayo recipe, ready in about 205 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, orange juice, lime juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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, cut into 3-inch chunks pork shoulder
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp ancho chile powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup water

The sheet pan we’d roast this on → Best Sheet Pans in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 2 tbsp ancho chile powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper to create a marinade.
2. Step 2: Add 3 lbs pork shoulder chunks to the marinade, tossing well to coat each piece. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
3. Step 3: Preheat a large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Sear the pork pieces in batches until browned on all sides, about 4 minutes per side.
4. Step 4: Return all pork to the pot, pour in 1/2 cup water, cover with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 3 hours until pork is very tender and easily shredded.
5. Step 5: Remove pork from the pot and shred with two forks. Optional: spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes to crisp edges before serving.