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You are here: Home » Recipes » Pork

Carnitas (Pork Carnitas Recipe)

Published: Aug 13, 2009 · Updated: Oct 21, 2020 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

With just 6 ingredients, you can make your own batch of authentic pork carnitas, right at home! Today's recipe will teach how to make carnitas in 2 different ways. With one batch of these pork carnitas, you can make tacos, tortas, and even some tamales! 

pork carnitas served with corn tortilla, pico de gallo, salsa and cheese.

If you've never had Mexican pork carnitas, I'd have to say you are missing out. 

Pork carnitas is made of pieces of pork meat slow-cooked in copper cauldrons in an open fire.

Jump to:
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Carnitas
  • Pork Carnitas Recipe
  • How To Make Carnitas: Step By Step Tutorial
  • What To Make With Pork Carnitas
  • More Pork Recipes To Enjoy
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

Traditionally, you would buy a whole piece of pork and use all the parts in different recipes. Some will be cooked until tender and golden outside like these juicy chunks of meat. Other parts of the pork will sometimes be used in stews (like this Pork Stew with Purslane) or fried up crispy like Chicharrones (pork skin).

To cook pork carnitas at home is actually a very easy task. There are lots of recipes that use herbs, and some of them even add milk or orange rinds. And, of course, they can be added.

But, as a friend of mine from Quiroga, Michoacán (a small town famous for its carnitas) told me some time ago: “People here just add salt, lard, and the pork meat. Those pork carnitas are always the best ones!". 

I'd have to say I agree. 

authentic pork carnitas recipe

Frequently Asked Questions About Pork Carnitas

Before I share my carnitas recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked about homemade pork carnitas.

What cut of pork is used for carnitas?

For this specific recipe, I went with pork loin and pork butt. When cooked low and slow, these pork carnitas are tender and juicy.

How do you cook pork carnitas?

I have two ways to cook these pork carnitas:

  1. Using a cast-iron pot over the stove.
  2. The other way is baking the pork using an oven bag.

The reason for cooking it in an oven bag is because I live in a small apartment and cooking it in the bag will keep the grease smell contained in the bag.

Please note: This is not the traditional way to cook pork carnitas, but rather just an alternate method I developed in absence of a copper cauldron and to avoid the greasy smell.

Are carnitas spicy? 

Not really. They are usually packed with flavor but not very spicy unless cooked with some type of pepper or mixed with spicy salsa. But, that is not a traditional way to make carnitas. However, you eat carnitas topped with spicy salsa and warm corn tortillas.

How many servings of carnitas does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 6 servings as a main dish! If you want leftovers, I highly recommend that you double or triple the ingredients.

Pork Carnitas Recipe

Here is a list of ingredients you will need:

  • Pork loin
  • Pork butt 
  • Lard
  • Water 
  • Salt
  • 3 cloves of garlic

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

How To Make Carnitas: Step By Step Tutorial

To make things easier for you, I am going to breakdown the directions to this recipe into sections.

Method #1: Cast Iron Pot

  • In a large Dutch oven or cast iron pot, place the pork, lard, water, garlic, and salt.
  • Cook the pork covered on medium heat, bringing everything to a boil.
cooking pork carnitas in a cast iron pot
  • Uncover and turn the heat to medium-high to reduce the liquid. The meat will start frying in its own fat and lard at this point.
  • Carefully brown the meat at medium-low heat stirring frequently until pork is evenly browned.
how to make carnitas in a cast iron pot

Method #2: Oven Bag

  • Place the pork, lard, water, and salt in an oven bag.
how to make carnitas in an oven bag
  • Cook the pork in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 2 hours. I place this package on a baking sheet or glass baking ware.
making pork carnitas in an oven bag
  • Take the bag out of the oven to drain must of the juices released by the meat, close the bag and place back in the oven for another hour or so until the meat is golden brown.
carnitas de puerco

What To Make With Pork Carnitas

This recipe is very versatile and you can make a lot of different recipes with it. 

This dish is best eaten when it's warm and over some corn tortillas and some spicy or mild salsa.

If I ever have any over, I like to make my Mexican Pork Carnitas Torta. Sometimes, I'll also make a big batch of pork carnitas to make my  Authentic Pork Tamales!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely

Pork carnitas recipe

More Pork Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for pork carnitas, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Mexican Pork Ribs In Adobo
  • Roasted Pork Leg Recipe
  • Chile Colorado With Pork and Nopales
  • Seasoned Pork Chops
  • Pork in Tomato Sauce

I hope you make this recipe for pork carnitas! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

📖 Recipe

Pork Carnitas Recipe

Mely Martínez
Pork Carnitas are pieces of pork meat slow-cooked in copper cauldrons on an open fire. Here I will show you two different and easy ways to make your carnitas at home. The result is a juicy and tender pieces of meat with golden and crispy outer skin carnitas. Perfect for carnitas tacos or in a torta.
4.77 from 91 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Pork
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Lbs. pork loin and pork butt in large cubes about 2 inches.
  • ¼ cup of Lard vegetable oil is OK
  • About 6-8 cups of water enough to cover the meat
  • 1 Tablespoon of salt
  • Optional: 3 cloves of garlic

Instructions
 

  • Place the pork, lard, water, garlic and salt in a large Dutch oven or Cast Iron Pot. Cook covered on medium heat to a boil. Reduce to simmer for about 45 minutes until the pork is almost tender.
  • Uncover and turn the heat to medium-high to reduce the liquid. The meat will start frying in its own fat and lard at this point. Carefully brown the meat at medium low heat, frequently stirring until the pork is crispy and browned evenly.
  • Browning the pork will take about 15 to 20 minutes. At this point, do not over brown it, or will get very dry meat.
  • Serve with hot tortillas and green salsa.

Now, when you do not have the time to be watching the meat or have another thing to do here is my oven baked carnitas.

  • Place the meat, ¼ cup lard, 1 cup of water and 1 Tablespoon of salt in an Oven Bag , and cook in a preheated oven at 350 for 2 hours. I place this package on a baking sheet or glass baking ware.
  • Take the bag out of the oven to drain must of the juices released by the meat, close the bag and place back in the range for another hour or so until the meat is golden brown. Byusing this method the meat will be tender and juicy.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 277kcalProtein: 28gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 1261mgPotassium: 512mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 1.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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  1. Lucia

    August 10, 2023 at 4:17 pm

    My problem is with the tortillas! How to heat tortillas and keep warm?

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      August 10, 2023 at 4:40 pm

      Hello Lucia,
      Heat tortillas in a hot griddle until they are warm and soft again. Wrap in a kitchen cloth napkin and place them in a basket to keep them warm.

      Reply
  2. Felicia

    July 01, 2023 at 4:45 pm

    5 stars
    I use this recipe, but cook the pork, seasonings, and garlic in a pressure cooker for 20 mins, then air fry it at 400° for about 10-15 minutes to crisp it up. I always get so many compliments. Thank you!

    Reply
  3. Rose

    April 09, 2023 at 6:25 pm

    I am currently preparing this recipe using the over bag method. I live in an apartment and want to contain the odor as much as possible so, I am glad for the oven bag method. I am confused in step two. Do you mean return the oven bag to the oven or stovetop? I am not certain what is meant by the use of the term “range.”

    Reply
    • Mely Martínez

      April 10, 2023 at 10:28 am

      Hello Rose,
      Yes, to the step to return to the oven, this final step will help get a golden crust to the meat.

      Reply
  4. Sue

    February 11, 2023 at 12:55 pm

    5 stars
    I just finished up this recipe and had a little taste as it was cooling. It was awesome but I think I will try a little more spices. Still very flavorful!

    Reply
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About me

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
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