Description
Tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder with a crispy, caramelized finish, seasoned with citrus and spices for an authentic Mexican street-taco experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds pork shoulder (Boston Butt)
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup lime juice (divided)
- 1 large white onion, sliced into thick rings
- 2 tablespoons pork fat or neutral oil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4–6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Pat pork dry and cut into 2-3 inch chunks.
- Whisk together orange juice, lime juice, lime zest, sliced onion, oregano, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and minced garlic to create a marinade.
- Toss pork chunks in the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Let rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight).
- Place pork and all marinade into a Dutch oven or roasting pan. Cover tightly with lid or foil. Bake for 2.5 to 3 hours until fork-tender.
- Remove pork from oven and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Reserve the cooking liquid.
- Spread shredded pork in a single layer on a baking sheet or cast iron skillet. Drizzle with some reserved liquid.
- Broil on high for 5-10 minutes, rotating halfway, until edges are dark golden brown and crispy.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the crispy pork and serve immediately with warm tortillas.
Notes
Do not use pork loin as it will dry out; pork shoulder is required for fat marbling. Save the braising liquid for reheating or soups. Watch closely during the broiling step to prevent burning. Can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup pork per ser
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: pork carnitas, crispy pork, Mexican tacos, slow cooker pork, lime pork, easy dinner, gluten-free