Simpy's Carnitas

Transform your taco night with Simpy’s Carnitas, a melt-in-your-mouth Mexican-inspired classic with perfectly crispy edges and bold, citrus-infused flavor. This slow-cooked masterpiece starts with tender chunks of seasoned pork shoulder, braised in a fragrant blend of fresh orange and lime juices, aromatic spices, and savory chicken broth. After hours of simmering to perfection, the pork is shredded, then roasted in the oven to achieve that signature caramelized crispness. With just 20 minutes of prep and simple pantry staples like smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano, Simpy’s Carnitas delivers authentic flavor in every bite. Perfect for filling tortillas or serving as a protein-packed centerpiece, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your next Mexican food feast.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:300 mins

Total Time:320 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Pork shoulder (boneless, trimmed)
• 2 teaspoons Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons Cumin
• 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 4 cloves Garlic cloves (minced)
• 1.5 cups Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5 cups Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 cup Chicken broth
• 2 Bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Trim any excess fat from the pork shoulder and cut it into large chunks (approximately 2-inch cubes).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Rub this spice mixture evenly over the pork chunks.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Step 4

Working in batches, sear the pork chunks on all sides until golden brown. Remove the seared pork and set it aside.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 6

Return the pork to the pot. Add the orange juice, lime juice, chicken broth, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid.

Step 8

Reduce the heat to low and cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and easy to shred.

Step 9

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Step 10

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked pork to a baking sheet. Shred the pork with two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.

Step 11

Spoon a small amount of the cooking liquid over the shredded pork to keep it moist. Spread the pork out in an even layer.

Step 12

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for about 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the edges of the pork become crispy.

Step 13

Take the crispy carnitas out of the oven and serve immediately with tortillas, salsa, guacamole, or any desired toppings.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2592.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5046.8

Total Fat 393.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 131.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1360.8mg	0%
Sodium 6473.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 59.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.2g	0%
Total Sugars 32.6g
Protein 335.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 361.0mg	0%
Iron 21.9mg	0%
Potassium 6186.0mg	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: 69.1%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 4.7%