Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 3 hrs 45 mins
Total: 4 hrs
Servings: 10 to 12 servings
Yield: 2 to 3 pounds, shredded
These easy copycat carnitas are just like Chipotle’s tender, savory pork carnitas. The shredded pork is an excellent choice for a family meal, potluck dinner, or game day gathering, and preparation is a breeze. One of the best things about making pork carnitas at home is the leftovers you’ll have for the next few days.
A pork shoulder roast—also known as pork butt—is best cooked low and slow, making it a perfect candidate for the oven or slow cooker. Plan on at least 3 1/2 hours in the oven or up to 8 to 10 hours in the slow cooker. If you need it faster, you can easily adapt it to cook in an Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker.
You can use the carnitas to make a bowl with various toppings, vegetables, and rice or fill taco shells or flour tortillas. The topping possibilities are endless; add black beans or pinto beans, refried beans, shredded lettuce, salsa or diced tomatoes, chopped onions, ripe olives, avocado slices, cilantro, shredded cheese, rice, guacamole, or sour cream. Or use the shredded pork to top a salad, pizza, or mac and cheese.
Ingredients
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3 1/2 to 5 pounds pork butt roast (bone-in or boneless)
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1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
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1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
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1 cup low sodium chicken stock, or water
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2 large dried bay leaves
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2 teaspoons dried juniper berries
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2 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Season the roast with salt and pepper.
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Place a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the oil. When the oil is hot and shimmering, add the pork roast. Brown the pork for about 12 minutes, turning to sear on all sides.
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Add the water or stock, bay leaves, juniper berries, and thyme. Cover the pan and transfer it to the preheated oven.
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Cook for about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, until tender, turning the roast over about halfway through the cooking time.
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Remove the roast from the oven. Remove and discard the bay leaves, juniper berries, and thyme sprigs.
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When the roast is cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding any bone and fat pieces.
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Serve warm with your choice of sides or as a taco filling.
Slow Cooker Recipe Variation
- Season and brown the pork on the stovetop.
- Transfer the roast to the slow cooker and add the water or stock, bay leaves, juniper berries, and thyme.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for about 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours, or on low for 8 to 10 hours.
- Remove and discard the bay leaves, juniper berries, and thyme sprigs.
- Shred the meat and serve in bowls or in tacos or tortillas.
How to Store and Freeze
- Transfer the shredded pork to shallow covered containers and refrigerate within 2 hours. Use the refrigerated leftovers within 4 days.
- To freeze, transfer the shredded pork to zip-close freezer bags or containers and freeze for up to 4 months (for best quality). Vacuum-sealed frozen shredded pork can maintain quality for 2 to 3 years.
Tips
- Aromatic juniper berries have a light, piney flavor that is similar to rosemary. If you can't find juniper berries, add a sprig or two of rosemary to the pork along with the thyme.
- Save the juices to drizzle over the pork and use to add moisture when reheating the leftovers. Put the liquid in a gravy separator or refrigerate and remove the solid fats; store with the leftover shredded meat.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 10 to 12 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 511 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 36g | 46% |
| Saturated Fat 13g | 66% |
| Cholesterol 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium 330mg | 14% |
| Total Carbohydrate 0g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 0g | |
| Protein 44g | |
| Vitamin C 2mg | 8% |
| Calcium 57mg | 4% |
| Iron 3mg | 16% |
| Potassium 651mg | 14% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
