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Carnitas

Carnitas

  • Author: sofia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Description

Experience the mouthwatering delight of homemade Carnitas, featuring tender and crispy beef that’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or served as a main course. This recipe transforms beef butt into flavorful bite-sized pieces through low and slow cooking, followed by a quick broil to achieve that irresistible crispy texture. With minimal prep time and the ability to customize spices and toppings, these carnitas are ideal for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. Impress your family and friends with this versatile dish that is sure to please all palates.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 pounds beef butt
  • ½ orange (skin on)
  • 1 lime (skin on)
  • 4 medium garlic cloves
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 275°F.
  2. In a casserole dish, combine beef butt with orange and lime quarters, garlic cloves, jalapeno slices, onion quarters, and spices. Cover with parchment paper and foil.
  3. Bake for 30 minutes. Afterward, push beef into melted fat and bake for an additional 3½ hours until tender.
  4. Remove solids from liquid fat using tongs; strain excess fat if desired.
  5. On a foil-lined pan brushed with olive oil, arrange cooked beef pieces and broil for about 5 minutes until crispy.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion (113g)
  • Calories: 290
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Customize spice levels by adding more jalapeños or fresh herbs. Use reserved cooking liquid to keep shredded meat moist before serving.