Authentic Mexican Carnitas | Easy Pulled Pork Shoulder Recipe | Kids Are Great Cooks

pork shoulder

🥗Healthier: pork tenderloin

💰Cheaper: pork butt

Pork tenderloin is leaner, while pork butt is often less expensive.

lard

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Olive oil is healthier, while vegetable oil can be more budget-friendly.

Take 5 cloves of garlic and pound them with a hammer to peel them.

Make 5 holes in the pork shoulder and insert the garlic cloves into the holes.

If the garlic doesn't fit, make an x shape to help fit them in.

Use your finger to push the garlic into the holes.

Combine 2 teaspoons of salt, 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons of thyme, 1 teaspoon of powdered garlic, and 1/4 cup of olive oil to prepare the rub.

Cover the pork shoulder on all sides with the rub, including the bottom.

Place the pork shoulder in a Dutch oven, fat side up.

Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and place it in the oven at 265 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4 hours.

After 4 hours, remove the pork from the oven and start shredding it completely so it can absorb all the juices.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary