Keto Authentic Mexican Carnitas

Savor the rich, slow-cooked flavors of Keto Authentic Mexican Carnitas, a low-carb twist on the traditional dish that will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico. Tender pork shoulder is marinated in a blend of bold spices like cumin and oregano, then simmered with fragrant garlic, onion, and citrus for hours to achieve melt-in-your-mouth perfection. Finished with a quick broil for irresistibly crispy edges, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between juicy and crunchy. Ideal for keto enthusiasts, these carnitas can be served in lettuce wraps or alongside cauliflower rice for a flavorful, guilt-free meal. Packed with authentic ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, it’s a must-try for anyone craving the comforting goodness of Mexican cuisine without compromising their low-carb lifestyle!

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:255 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
• 1 stick Cinnamon stick
• 2 leaves Bay leaves
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves
• 1 whole White onion
• 1 whole Orange
• 2 tablespoons Avocado oil or lard
• 1 cup Chicken broth (low-sodium)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork shoulder into 2-inch cubes, removing any large sections of fat but leaving some for flavor.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Add pork cubes and toss until well-coated with the spice mixture.

Step 3

Peel and crush the garlic cloves finely. Peel the onion and cut it into quarters. Slice the orange in half.

Step 4

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the avocado oil or lard over medium-high heat.

Step 5

Add the pork cubes to the pot in a single layer, working in batches if necessary, and sear all sides until golden brown. This should take about 10 minutes.

Step 6

Once all pork pieces are seared, return them to the pot and add the crushed garlic, onion quarters, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves.

Step 7

Squeeze the juice of the orange halves over the pork, and then place the spent halves in the pot as well.

Step 8

Pour in the chicken broth, adding enough water to barely cover the pork.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and cook for approximately 3 hours until the pork is tender and easily pulled apart with a fork.

Step 10

Preheat the oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.

Step 11

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork pieces to the prepared baking sheet, discarding the onion, orange halves, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Shred the pork slightly with a fork.

Step 12

Spread the pork across the baking sheet, drizzle with a little more avocado oil if desired, and broil for 5-10 minutes until the edges are crispy.

Step 13

Serve the carnitas hot, with a side of low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1680.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3594.6

Total Fat 274.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 95.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 952.5mg	0%
Sodium 5563.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 42.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.6g	0%
Total Sugars 18.4g
Protein 250.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 384.5mg	0%
Iron 22.4mg	0%
Potassium 4372.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.8%

Protein: 27.5%

Carbs: 4.6%