Romaldo's Carnitas

Discover the deliciously authentic flavors of "Romaldo's Carnitas," a mouthwatering Mexican dish that's tender, juicy, and perfectly crisped. Using a fragrant medley of spices like cumin, oregano, and a hint of cinnamon, along with fresh orange and lime juice, this slow-cooked pork shoulder is infused with layers of bold flavor. The secret to its irresistible texture lies in the dual cooking method: a low, slow simmer in a Dutch oven followed by a quick blast in the oven for crispy edges. Perfect for tacos, burritos, or served with rice and beans, this carnitas recipe is a comforting crowd-pleaser that's easy to prepare for any festive gathering or weeknight dinner. With just 20 minutes of prep and a step-by-step guide, you'll be recreating this traditional favorite like a pro!

Nutriscore Rating: 62/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless)
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon
• 4 Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1.5 cups Orange juice
• 0.5 cups Lime juice
• 2 Bay leaves
• 1 cup Water
• 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Cut the pork shoulder into large chunks, about 2-3 inches in size, and place them in a large bowl.

Step 2

Season the pork chunks with salt, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon. Rub the spices evenly onto the meat.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Add the pork chunks to the pot in batches, browning each side until golden, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the browned pork and set aside.

Step 5

Once all the pork has been browned, return it to the pot. Add the minced garlic, orange juice, lime juice, bay leaves, and water.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is tender and easily pulls apart.

Step 7

Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).

Step 8

Remove the pork from the pot and place it on a large baking sheet. Use two forks to shred the meat into smaller pieces.

Step 9

Discard the bay leaves from the cooking liquid and pour about 1 cup of the liquid over the shredded meat to keep it moist and flavorful.

Step 10

Spread the pork out evenly on the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the edges of the pork become crispy.

Step 11

Remove the carnitas from the oven and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Serve Romaldo's Carnitas in tacos, burritos, or alongside rice and beans. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2612.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5004.4

Total Fat 391.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 130.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 16.9g
Cholesterol 1270.1mg	0%
Sodium 8187.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 56.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.0g	0%
Total Sugars 32.2g
Protein 331.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 329.8mg	0%
Iron 23.5mg	0%
Potassium 5864.7mg	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: 69.4%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 4.4%