Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf

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

Pork shoulder simmered slowly in orange juice and spices until meltingly tender with crisped edges, capturing the essence of authentic Mexican carnitas. This Mexican-inspired pork recipe, ready in about 210 minutes, pairs pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes, orange juice, water 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 195 min Serves 6 Mexican cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large heavy pot, combine 3 lbs pork shoulder cubes, 1 1/2 cups orange juice, 1 cup water, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground cumin, 2 bay leaves, 2 tsp sea salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and cook gently for 2.5 to 3 hours until the pork is very tender and shreds easily.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove pork from the pot, draining excess liquid, and spread the meat in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbsp vegetable oil and roast for 15 minutes until the edges crisp and caramelize.
  4. Step 4: Toss the pork gently and roast for another 10 minutes for even crispiness. Serve warm on 8 corn tortillas topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf take to make?

Total time is about 210 minutes (15 min prep + 195 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 Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf?

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 orange juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf?

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 Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf 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 Traditional Mexican Street-Style Carnitas with Citrus and Bay Leaf?

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.

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