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Carnitas Tacos

Pork shoulder carnitas, also known as Mexican pulled pork, are easy to make and please a crowd! Carnitas literally translates to "little meats" and is a traditional Mexican cuisine made by simmering or braising pork until tender. The steps below will help you pull off an Americanized version of carnitas and WOW your next dinner party! I made this for a bachelorette party as part of a taco bar and it was a hit! The recipe was demanded, so I'm delivering 😁 Let me know how it goes! 

Special Tips:
  • If pork shoulder is nowhere to be found, a pork roast of equal size can be used. It doesn't provide the pulled pork texture, but it is still delicious and a bit healthier, too!
  • Don't forget to wear gloves when chopping jalapenos, and thoroughly wash all utensils afterwards. Jalapeno burns are no joke, and you could seriously injure your eyes if you rub them after chopping!
Serves 8 with 3 small tacos each

Ingredients:
  • 3-4 lb pork shoulder
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 3-4 jalapenos, deseeded and chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • juice from one orange, freshly squeezed
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
Rub Ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 2 tsp cumin
Optional Taco Fixings:
  • Mini flour tortillas
  • Red onion, chopped
  • Queso fresco or Cotija cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Hot sauce
  • Salsa
  • Guacamole
  • Avocado
  • Rice

Directions:
  1. Combine the rub ingredients and rub all over outside of pork shoulder
  2. Add pork shoulder to a large crock pot
  3. Add onion, jalapenos, garlic, salt, pepper, and orange juice over the top of the pork shoulder
  4. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours
  5. Remove pork shoulder from crock pot and shred meat with two forks
    • You should be able to easily pull the meat apart because it will be very tender!
    • If using a pork roast, you will probably be better off slicing the meat with a fork and knife!
  6. Optional: add meat to a cast iron skillet with a small amount of liquid from the crock pot and brown one side to get some extra charred and crispy edges!
  7. Serve with mini flour tortillas, queso fresco or cotija cheese, avocado, chopped red onion, and any other toppings you desire!
Extra Love:
  • Add your favorite hot sauce or spicy salsa to each taco to add some kick! Alternatively, you could add a hotter pepper like a habanero instead of jalapenos!
  • Serve with a side of rice and beans and some guacamole for a completed dish!
  • Leftovers can be transformed into a burrito with extra rice and toppings if you have larger tortilla wraps on hand.
As always, cook with love.

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