Carnitas means “little meats” in Spanish. It’s pork shoulder slow-cooked until it falls apart, then crisped until the edges are golden and crunchy. Two textures. One glorious taco.
This recipe works in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or Dutch oven. Make a big batch. Tacos for days.
Serves 6-8 (makes 16-20 tacos).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Pork
Place pork, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, bay leaves, and broth in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or Dutch oven.
- Slow cooker: Low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours.
- Instant Pot: High pressure for 45 minutes + natural release (15 minutes).
- Dutch oven: 300°F for 3-4 hours until fork-tender.
Shred the Pork
Remove pork from cooking liquid. Shred with two forks. Discard bay leaves and orange halves.
Save about ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
Crisp the Carnitas (Crucial Step)
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil or some of the pork fat.
Spread shredded pork in an even layer. Don’t stir for 2-3 minutes—let it get crispy and brown.
Flip and crisp the other side. Add a splash of reserved cooking liquid to keep it moist.
Warm the Tortillas
Heat tortillas in a dry skillet, microwave (30 seconds between damp paper towels), or directly over a gas flame.
Assemble the Tacos
Pile crispy carnitas onto warm tortillas.
Top with onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Add salsa or hot sauce. Fold. Devour. Repeat.
Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4-10 hours (depending on method) | Total Time: 4-10 hours
Yield: 16-20 tacos (6-8 servings)
Difficulty: Easy
Storage Notes
Fridge:
Store carnitas in an airtight container with some cooking liquid for up to 5 days. Re-crisp in a skillet before serving.
Freezing:
Freeze shredded carnitas (before crisping) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Crisp in a skillet when ready.
Pro Tip:
- Don’t skip the crisping step. That’s what makes carnitas magical. Soft pork is fine. Crispy pork is unforgettable.
Leftover Ideas:
- Carnitas bowls (rice, beans, avocado).
- Carnitas nachos.
- Carnitas burritos.
- Carnitas omelets. You can’t mess this up.
