Carnitas Taco From 'Tacolicious' Recipe

Name: Carnitas Taco From 'Tacolicious'
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2- to 3-inch cubes; 1 cup sliced yellow onion; 3 cloves garlic, crushed; 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar; 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano; 1 bay leaf; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice; 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/2 cup lard; 3 tablespoons vegetable oil; Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving; Chopped white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, salsa of choice, and lime wedges, for serving

Servings: persons

2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2- to 3-inch cubes
1 cup sliced yellow onion
3 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup lard
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
Corn tortillas, warmed, for serving
Chopped white onion, chopped fresh cilantro, salsa of choice, and lime wedges, for serving

1
Put the pork in a nonreactive Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot with a lid. Add the onion, garlic, sugar, salt, oregano, bay leaf, orange juice, and lemon juice and toss to coat the meat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours.
2
Bring the pork to room temperature. Heat the lard in a small pan over medium heat until it melts, then pour it over the pork. Cover the pot, place over medium-low heat, and cook the pork for about 3 hours, until the pork begins to pull apart easily when tested with a fork.
3
Remove from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pork to a bowl. Discard the cooking liquid and clean the pot. Using a couple of forks, shred the pork a bit but not completely, removing any large chunks of fat.
4
Return the pot to the stove top over high heat and add the oil. At the minute the oil begins to smoke, using tongs or a spoon and working in batches to avoid crowding, carefully add some of the meat to the hot oil and cook, turning as needed, for about 4 minutes, until crisp on all sides. (If some onions are still attached, don't worry about it.)
5
Serve with the tortillas, onion, cilantro, salsa, and lime.

865

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2- to 3-inch cubes, 1 cup sliced yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic, crushed, 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, and more.

Yes, Carnitas Taco From 'Tacolicious' falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Carnitas Taco From 'Tacolicious'

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions