Carnitas Recipe | STOVE TOP CARNITAS | CARNITAS TACOS

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Chicken thighs are leaner, while pork butt offers similar flavor at a lower cost.

corn tortillas

🥗Healthier: whole wheat tortillas

💰Cheaper: flour tortillas

Whole wheat tortillas add fiber, while flour tortillas are often less expensive.

jalapeños

🥗Healthier: bell peppers

💰Cheaper: banana peppers

Bell peppers are milder and lower in calories, while banana peppers are budget-friendly.

avocado

🥗Healthier: guacamole

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Guacamole is a healthier fat source, while sour cream is a more affordable alternative.

Preheat a large Dutch oven on medium heat.

Add 1 pound of lard to the pot once preheated.

Add all the pork shoulder chunks to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the lard.

Cook the pork on one side for 30 minutes, moving it occasionally to prevent burning.

After 30 minutes, flip the pork to the opposite side and cook for another 30 minutes until golden-brown.

Add 2 teaspoons of salt, 4 cloves of garlic, 1 large bay leaf, and the juice of 1 large orange to the pot.

Squeeze the orange to get 1/3 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice and add it to the pot.

Add 1/3 cup of evaporated milk and 1 cup of coca-cola to the pot, mixing everything together.

Allow the mixture to simmer on medium heat for an additional hour or until the meat is golden brown and fork tender, stirring occasionally.

While the pork is cooking, prepare the salsa by boiling tomatillos, 1/2 onion, 2 roma tomatoes, and 1 poblano pepper for about 10 minutes until soft.

Blend the boiled ingredients with salt to taste to make the salsa.

Once the pork is done, remove it from the pot and start making tacos.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: