Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder Carnitas
Slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with a blend of warm taco spices, shredded and crisped to perfection for flavorful tacos or burritos. This mexican-inspired pork ready in about 500 minutes pairs pork shoulder, boneless, olive oil, ground cumin 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs pork shoulder, boneless
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 12 small corn tortillas
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, mix 2 tsp ground cumin, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice blend all over 3 lbs boneless pork shoulder.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the pork shoulder on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Step 3: Transfer the pork to a slow cooker. Add 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, and 1 cup chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until pork is very tender and shreds easily.
- Step 4: Remove pork from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for 5-7 minutes until edges are crispy.
- Step 5: Serve the crispy pork in 12 warmed corn tortillas topped with 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/2 cup diced white onion.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder Carnitas take to make?
Total time is about 500 minutes (20 min prep + 480 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 Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder 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 pork shoulder, boneless from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder 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 Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder 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 Taco-Spiced Pork Shoulder 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.
