Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions

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

Tender pork shoulder braised until fall-apart tender, served with tangy pickled onions for a flavorful taco experience. This mexican ready in about 105 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes pork shoulder, vegetable oil, thinly sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb pork shoulder cubes and brown on all sides, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 thinly sliced onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1/2 cup orange juice and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pork is tender and falls apart.
  4. Step 4: Shred pork with two forks and return to skillet to simmer for 10 more minutes to thicken sauce.
  5. Step 5: Warm corn tortillas according to package instructions. Serve carnitas with 1/4 cup pickled red onions and warm tortillas.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 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 Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions?

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 Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions 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 Pork Carnitas with Pickled Onions?

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.

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